Moorcroft man jailed on possession charge

Robert Myles of Moorcroft has been sentenced to up to four years in a state penal institution following an incident in which he was reported for attempting to steal a vehicle from a residence.

On October 15, 2021, a Crook County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to a residence in Moorcroft after a call was received that Myles was trying to take the homeowner’s vehicle. A warrant was confirmed for his arrest.

The deputy reported contacting Myles’ probation officer and then responding to the residence, where the homeowner said Myles had left on foot and they did not know where he currently was.

Dispatch received a call that Myles had been at a different residence but had now left and was running towards Prairie Street. Driving east on Sagebrush Road, the deputy observed a pickup driving the other way and flagged it down to ask the driver if they had seen someone running.

The driver allegedly stated they would not lie and motioned towards the back seat, where the deputy could see a figure moving near the floor. The deputy said Myles’ name and, after staying crouched for a moment, the person opened the back passenger door, exited and allegedly began to run east.

The deputy reports giving chase and telling the person to stop. Myles then turned towards the deputy in what he describes as an aggressive manner.

The deputy activated his Taser, but one probe failed to penetrate Myles’ clothing and the other missed Myles as he turned. However, Myles allegedly looked at the Taser and complied with the deputy’s commands, and was then taken into custody without further incident.

While searching Myles, the deputy reports removing several items from his pockets, including a case containing a smoking pipe and another containing several plastic baggies of seeds. The seeds were consistent with marijuana seeds, according to court reports, and Myles allegedly stated he is an addict and ran because he was scared.

The residue from the pipe allegedly later tested presumptive positive for marijuana. Myles allegedly admitted to consuming marijuana earlier in the day and meth three days prior.

Myles pled guilty to one felony count of possession of marijuana and one misdemeanor count of interference with a peace officer. Judge Stuart S. Healy III sentenced him to between two and four years in a state penal institution on the first charge and a jail sentence of 133 days on the second, to run concurrently with credit for 133 days already served.

Myles was also sentenced to a fine of $500 on each count, totaling $1000. His incarceration will run consecutively to a sentence for probation revocation filed with Campbell County District Court on May 17.