A Wyoming federal judge recently sentenced a Rock Springs man for embezzling more than $150,000 of labor union funds.

This was among six sentences handed down recently by federal judges, according to a news release from the Wyoming U.S. Attorney's Office.

Chief U.S. District Court Judge Nancy Freudenthal sentenced Harold Giberson, 63, who was the longtime president of the Utility Workers Union of America Local No. 127. From 2011 through January 2015, he used the union’s credit card for personal expenses and claimed unauthorized travel reimbursements. Union trustees discovered the embezzlement and Giberson resigned in February 2015.

Giberson, who is in poor health and appeared in court on oxygen, received five years of probation with the first six months in home confinement. He also was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment and $158,953.28 in restitution. Giberson is also prohibited by federal law from serving as a union official for 13 years.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Labor-Management Standards.

 

U.S. District Court Judge Alan Johnson sentenced Justin Jamar Smith, 27, of Cheyenne for interference with commerce by robbery. He received five years, 10 months of imprisonment, to be followed by three years of probation. He also was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment, a $300 fine and $844 in restitution.

This case was investigated by the Cheyenne Police Department and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

U.S. District Court Judge Scott Skavdahl sentenced Hank Smith, 30, of Fort Washakie for child abuse. He received time served, to be followed by two years of probation, and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment. Restitution will be determined later.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Skavdahl sentenced Lisa Stewart, 49, of Hudson for assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Stewart was arrested in Fort Washakie. She received four years of imprisonment, to be followed by three years of probation. Skavdahl also ordered her to pay a $100 special assessment and $73,590.33 in restitution.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Skavdahl also sentenced Christopher Sean Koegl, 46, of Virginia for conspiracy to distribute heroin. He received 10 years of imprisonment, to be followed by five years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment.

This case was investigated by the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

Skavdahl sentenced Rocio S. Ortiz, 30, for being a felon in possession of firearms. Ortiz was arrested in Gillette. He received four years, nine months of imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment.

This case was investigated by the BATFE.

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