Activity in the U.S. Attorney's Office

Assault

Ralph Thomas Jones, Jr., 58, of Crystal Springs, Mississippi, was sentenced to four months in federal prison and one year of supervised release for assault by striking, wounding, or beating. According to court documents, on June 28, 2025, the defendant and the victim had a physical altercation at the Washburn Lodge, located in Canyon Village in Yellowstone National Park. The defendant reportedly hit the victim multiple times and choked her, causing injuries that needed medical attention. National Park Service Law Enforcement investigated the crime and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariel Calmes prosecuted the case. Chief U.S. District Judge Kelly H. Rankin imposed the sentence on Feb. 5 in Cheyenne.  

Firearm Offenses

Ricardo Ballard, 52 of El Paso, Texas, was sentenced to 20 months’ imprisonment and one year of supervised release for being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents, on Oct. 27, 2024, in Yellowstone National Park, a Park Ranger stopped the defendant for speeding, traveling 75 mph in a 45-mph zone. During the stop, the ranger smelled burnt marijuana. The defendant initially denied having marijuana or weapons but later admitted there were rolled marijuana joints in the car. A search of the vehicle revealed an unsealed bag of marijuana, three boxes of fireworks, and a loaded 9mm Smith & Wesson semi-automatic pistol found in the back pocket of the passenger seat. The defendant has a prior federal conviction for possession with intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana and was previously sentenced to 60 months in prison and prohibited from possessing firearms. National Park Service Law Enforcement investigated the crime and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Elmore prosecuted the case. U.S. District Judge Scott W. Skavdahl imposed the sentence on Feb. 3 in Casper. Case No. 25-CR-00108

Illegal Re-Entry of a Previously Deported Alien

Luis Lopez-Romero, 39, of Guanajuato, Mexico, was sentenced to time served plus 10 days to allow for deportation proceedings for illegal re-entry of a previously deported alien into the U.S. According to court documents, on Oct. 2, 2022, the defendant was arrested by the Jackson Hole Police Department for three charges of duty upon colliding with an unattended vehicle or property. On Feb. 6, 2024, ICE determined he had previously been removed from the U.S. and had not applied for permission to reenter after being formally removed in August 2013. The defendant was released on a $10,000 unsecured bond with pretrial supervision.

The defendant willfully and purposefully failed to appear for his scheduled sentencing hearing on February 21, 2025. The defendant made no effort to appear, and he did not maintain contact with his attorney. He was subsequently arrested eight months later in the Middle District of Florida. ICE investigated the crime and Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook prosecuted the case. U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence on Feb. 6 in Cheyenne. Case No. 24-CR-00143

About the United States Attorney’s Office

The United States Attorney’s Office is responsible for representing the federal government in virtually all litigation involving the United States in the District of Wyoming, including all criminal prosecutions for violations of federal law, civil lawsuits brought by or against the government, and actions to collect judgments and restitution on behalf of victims and taxpayers. The Office is involved in several programs designed to make our communities safer. They include:

Project Safe Childhood
Project Safe Childhood (PSC) is a DOJ initiative that combats the proliferation of technology-facilitated sexual exploitation crimes against children. The threat of sexual predators soliciting children for sexual contact is well-known and serious.

Operation Take Back America
Operation Take Back America is a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. It also streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

Victim Witness Program
The Victim Witness Coordinator for the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Wyoming is dedicated to ensuring victims of federal crimes and their family members are treated with compassion, fairness, and respect.

To report a federal crime, go to: https://www.justice.gov/actioncenter/report-crime