Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Update for Woodward search 7/6/2017, 5:30pm

On Thursday July 6, 2017 efforts were continued in the search for missing 21 year old Oliver Woodward.  With assistance from multiple agencies the search area was slightly expanded to include more land combers and an underwater sonar.  At the time of this release Mr. Woodward is still missing with no additional information to add.

At the completion of today’s search, efforts will be scaled back.  Missing Person Flyers will continue to be handed out and local fishing, boating and other frequent users of the waterway will be asked to be diligent in their observations.

It is with a heavy heart that we move to the next stage of this event.  Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Oliver Woodward.

Sgt. Lloyd Funk

Teton County Sheriff’s Office 180 South King Street P.O. Box 1885 Jackson, WY 83001 307.733.4052 www.tetonsheriff.org

 

Press Release from 7/5/2017

On, Tuesday July 4, 2017 at 7:46pm the Teton County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of two missing persons that had been rafting on the Snake River south of Hoback Junction.  The missing persons were ejected from the raft when it went through rapids known as “Kings Wave”.  The party consisted of 6 persons (4 males and 2 females).

While officers were responding, one of the subjects was located and found to be in good health.  A multi agency search was coordinated and sent to the area to continue the search for the sole missing party, identified as Oliver Woodward, 21 years old.  The search continued until 10:40pm at which time it was suspended due to darkness.

On, Wednesday, July 5, 2017 at 8:00am search efforts were resumed.  Resources include: several watercraft, shore combers and scent dogs.  At the time of this release, July 5, 4:00pm, Mr. Woodward has not been located.  Search efforts are expected to continue for a couple more hours and if unsuccessful will again resume on Thursday, July 6, 2017.

At this time foul play is not suspected.

More information may be released as it is obtained.

Sgt. Lloyd Funk

Teton County Sheriffs Office180 South King Street P.O. Box 1885 Jackson, WY 83001 307.733.4052 www.tetonsheriff.org

Local Immigration Information FAQs
As of April 2017

 

Does the Teton County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) enforce federal immigration laws?

Answer: No, the TCSO only enforces Wyoming State Statutes and occasionally Town of Jackson Municipal Codes.

 

If I am living in Teton County and I am undocumented, how can I best avoid being deported?

Answer: The simple answer is to avoid committing criminal offenses that would ultimately lead Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to investigate you. ICE has communicated to local law enforcement that they have no intentions of seeking out undocumented workers who are living a life free of criminal activity if they have not been deported before. Bottom line, stay out of trouble and obey the law and your odds of having an immigration officer contact you are minimal.

 

Does the TCSO communicate with the Federal Immigration-Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE)?

Answer: Yes, the TCSO has a good working relationship with ICE, who has promised to keep the TCSO informed of their operations when they are working in Teton County.

 

When does the TCSO call ICE related to immigration matters?

Answer: Generally the TCSO Detention Center will telephone ICE when local law enforcement has arrested and booked a person for violating a state statue and the person  is foreign born.

Additionally, if  ICE agents can be of assistance to TCSO investigators in locating a person that is suspected of committing a crime against the State of Wyoming and has fled the jurisdiction of Teton County, then we may seek the assistance of ICE in locating the person.  Often ICE has investigative resources that can be of assistance to our investigators.

 

Who are the ICE agents that work in the Teton County area?

Answer: The Wyoming state field office is located at 150 East B Street Rm 1014 Casper Wyoming 82601 and has only a small number of federal agents who work out of that office. They are supervised by the Denver Regional ICE office located at 12484 East Weaver Place Centennial Colorado  80111. The Casper ICE agents are responsible for investigations involving immigration violations in Wyoming and southern Montana.

 

How often does ICE come to Teton County?

Answer: ICE agents do not come to Teton County on a set schedule, but rather come to Jackson as often as they need to in relation to the investigations they are conducting. The most common visit from ICE to Jackson is to do a routine transfer of an inmate in the Teton County Jail to the custody of ICE.

The second most common visit of ICE to Jackson is when they are here to arrest a handful of “targeted individuals” .  These people typically have a warrant for their arrest. These operations are generally 1-3 days in duration and occur historically three to four times a year.

 

How does ICE decide who they will come and pick up (arrest) from the jail to start deportation proceedings?

Answer: ICE has communicated to local law enforcement that their primary focus is on undocumented individuals who commit crimes that are considered a safety concern for the community. These crimes are typically all felony crimes but can include driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.  Additionally,  they generally will start deportation proceedings on people who have previously been deported and have returned to the United States.

 

Does ICE deport people arrested for minor traffic offenses?

Answer: Usually no. Ice has communicated to local law enforcement that they do not have the resources to deport individuals for minor traffic violations, (e.g. speeding, no driver’s license, no insurance, running stop signs or traffic lights, equipment violations etc.) provided they are not habitual offenders of committing minor traffic offenses.

 

Do you know of any plans that ICE has to conduct “general round-ups” of undocumented persons?

Answer: ICE has communicated to local law enforcement that they have no intentions of performing a “general round-up” of undocumented people living in Teton County. Meaning, they do not intend to go around the community randomly looking for people who may be living here undocumented, and detain them to investigate their immigration status. The goal of ICE is to locate the “targeted” criminal alien and to take them into custody for removal through a deportation proceeding.

 

Will local law enforcement notify the community if they are aware that ICE is planning to come to Teton County to perform a search for “targeted” individuals?

Answer:  Local law enforcement WILL NOT notify the public if ICE is coming to Jackson to arrest specific “targeted” individuals whom they have identified for arrest and deportation.  Many of these individuals have criminal backgrounds and records that would create an officer safety concern for the ICE agents if they did not have the element of surprise.  Nor would local law enforcement want to impede the ICE agents from being able to do their job of removing individuals from the community that pose a safety risk.

 

If ICE contacted local law enforcement and indicated they would be coming to Jackson to do a “general round-up” or a “door-to-door sweep” would local law enforcement notify the public?

Answer: Yes, though ICE has communicated that they have no intentions of doing an operation of this nature.

 

Does the TCSO intend to participate in the 287(g) program that allows local officers to enforce federal immigration laws?

Answer: No, the TCSO has no plans to participate in the 287(g) program.  Additionally, we know of no Wyoming state law that allows for  Wyoming peace officers to enforce federal immigration law.

 

Is there ever a time when a deputy sheriff would need to know my immigration status?

Answer: Typically no, but deputies sometimes will need to inquire if it is pertinent to their investigation.   Deputies will not take someone into custody merely based upon them learning that someone is undocumented. One of the responsibilities of law enforcement when issuing a citation is to determine the identity of the person and to establish some reasonable assurance that they will show up to court if released with a citation. This is called a “flight-risk assessment”.  Knowing a person’s identity is critical for the deputy to consider a citation instead of arrest and by you carrying identification can help the deputy be assured that you are who you say you are, live where you say you live, and you have ties to our community.  These all indicate  you would show up to court if given a citation.  However, if you attempt to conceal your identity or mislead the deputy about who you are or where you live, you more than likely will be arrested and taken to jail. The bottom line is you should always be honest with the deputy about who you are and where you live so the deputy can allow you to leave with a citation instead of being arrested.

 

If I want further information about ICE and their local operations, who should I contact?

Answer: Local law enforcement can attempt to answer most of your questions, but we encourage you to contact ICE directly and ask them any information that you may be uncertain about. It is always best to get the information directly from the source, and ICE knows best what they intend to do or not do. ICE lists their Casper WY number as (307) 261-6590.

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

On Monday March 14, 2017 at 12:41 PM, Teton County Sheriff’s Office Deputies and Detectives served a search warrant at a Jackson, WY apartment complex.  The warrant was part of an ongoing drug investigation.

A large amount of drugs and cash were recovered from the apartment.  Preliminary counts  are:  $4100.00 in cash, 215 syringes loaded with Cannabis oil, 196 grams of LSD infused gummy candy, 223 doses of MDMA (Molly), 388 grams of MDMA ecstasy tablets, 398 grams of MDMA (Molly), 4.6 grams of liquid LSD, and 46 grams of THC wax/”shatter”.  Initial estimate is a street value of approximately $80,000 in drugs was seized.

The two residents of the apartment were not home at the time the search warrant was served.  They were both located and arrested a short while later.  23 year old Sheldon Bo Berglund and 28 year old Doina Seiciuc-Berglund are facing numerous felony charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute and Conspiracy.

Sgt. Todd Stanyon

Teton County Sheriffs Office 180 South King Street P.O. Box 1885 Jackson, WY 83001 307.733.4052 www.tetonsheriff.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

On Sunday February 26, 2017 at 11:39 PM an unknown male suspect stole a monogrammed “Mangy Moose” rug from the entry way of the Mangy Moose Saloon in Teton Village.  The rug is valued at $350.00.  The theft was captured on surveillance video.  The suspect is a white male,  35-45 years of age, mostly bald, and clean shaven.  At the time of the theft he was wearing a red coat with a grey turtleneck sweater underneath.  Attached is a photo of the suspect taken at the time of the theft.

Please contact the Teton County Sheriff’s Office with any information on the identity of the suspect.   You may remain anonymous.

Contact Det. Sgt. Todd Stanyon

The Teton County Sheriff’s Office administration office will be closed Monday, December 26. Happy Holidays!

From Grand Teton National Park:

Fire managers anticipate Highway 89/191/287 between the South Gate of Yellowstone National Park and Leeks Marina will remain closed at least through the weekend. This temporary highway closure ensures firefighter and public safety. Conditions are evaluated daily and announcements will be made when the road is reopened.

Despite the road closures, both Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks are open to visitors. This includes Leeks Marina and most visitor destinations and services within Grand Teton National Park. Enjoy this Centennial Anniversary in places like Colter Bay, Jackson Lake Lodge, Signal Mountain, String Lake, Jenny Lake, Moose, Moose-Wilson Corridor, Mormon Row, and Gros Ventre. Most trails and backcounty areas are open as well. Entrance fees are waived today through Sunday! #NPS100 #FindYourPark

For more Berry Fire info: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4954/

The Jackson Hole Elks Lodge 1713 treated the Teton County Sheriff’s Office and the Jackson Police Department to excellent Philly Cheese Steak sandwiches today, along with a bunch of other treats and drinks. It was absolutely wonderful for them to do this as their reason was to thank local law enforcement for what we do. They fed patrol, communications personnel, jail staff and all other members of both agencies. It’s estimated, when the day was done, they fed over 60 people. THANKS JACKSON HOLE ELKS LODGE 1713….A BETTER GROUP OF PEOPLE CAN’T BE FOUND!

News Release

Hot, dry weather compels Teton County to join federal agencies in fire restrictions

Jackson, Wyo. – Aug. 2, 2016 – Teton County is joining federal land agencies and neighboring counties in placing partial restrictions on campfires, refuse burning and other activities that could spark a wildfire.

By unanimous approval of a resolution on Tuesday, the Teton County Board of County Commissioners agreed to instate partial open-fire restrictions beginning just after midnight, in recognition of warm, dry weather and a number of recent “Red Flag” fire weather warnings.

“Fire danger is ‘very high’ right now, and the potential for fire starts has increased significantly,” said Jackson Hole Fire/EMS Chief Willy Watsabaugh. “We have worked very hard with the other agencies to ensure we all go into restrictions at the same time to avoid confusion among jurisdictions.”

The Bridger-Teton National Forest, Grand Teton National Park and High Desert District of the Bureau of Land Management announced on Monday that partial fire restrictions are beginning on federal lands on Wednesday at 12:01 a.m. The Bighorn National Forest put restrictions in place on July 29, and Sublette and Lincoln counties are expected to implement restrictions this week.

Under Teton County’s fire restrictions, open burning must meet the following conditions:
– Burning must only be conducted with approved appliances and in areas with at least 10 feet of clearance from combustibles, including grass, trees, structures and vehicles.
– Fires must be covered with a minimum ¼-inch screen at all times.
– Campfires are allowed only within established fire rings at designated campgrounds. Charcoal fires within enclosed grills are permitted, and home fire pits and bowls are permitted, as long as they are used with a maximum ¼-inch screen spark arresters.
– Fires must be under watch at all times, with a deployable water source nearby.
– Fires must be doused and put out completely when burning is finished.
– The ongoing fireworks ban remains in effect.

Fire Marshal Kathy Clay encourages residents and visitors to do without fires until moisture returns to the valley.

“It is just not worth the risk,” Clay said. “Vegetation is very receptive to fire, and this has been a windy season. Gusty winds can grow a fire rapidly.”

Teton County fire information can be found online at www.TetonWyo.org/fire. Information on the federal lands’ fire restrictions, including allowable camping stoves, is available at www.tetonfires.com.

For questions about Teton County’s open-burning restrictions, Jackson Hole Fire/EMS can be reached at (307) 733- 4732. To notify authorities of a planned burn, please call the county’s dispatch office at (307) 733-2331.

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Contact: Cindy Harger, Teton County Public Information Specialist
Phone: 307-732-5786 (office), (307) 264-9102 (mobile)
Email address: charger@tetonwyo.org

Teton County Cliff Creek Fire Update 7-21-16

News Release

Contact: Cindy Harger, Teton County Public Information Specialist
Phone: 307-732-5786 (office), (307) 264-9102 (mobile)
Email address: charger@tetonwyo.org

Cliff Creek Fire Update

Bondurant evacuations lifted; Granite Creek evacuees allowed home briefly

U.S. 189/191 remains closed.

Community Meeting today at 6 p.m. at Hoback Fire Station.

Jackson, Wyo. – July 21, 2016 – Cliff Creek Fire evacuations for homes in Bondurant in Sublette County were lifted this morning. Meanwhile, Granite Creek area fire evacuees in Teton County were able to make brief, escorted trips to their homes this morning to collect valuables and perishables.

Cliff Creek Fire managers and Teton County Sheriff’s Office officials met with Jack Pine Summer Homes residents and other evacuees to allow them to access to the Granite Creek Road at 8 a.m. today for no longer than two hours. About 40 people took advantage of the temporary access, according to Cpl. Brett Bommer of the Teton County Sheriff’s Office and Cliff Creek Fire Incident Command Team. The entry was to allow residents to gather perishables stored in refrigerators or freezers. Lower Valley Energy disconnected power to the Granite Creek area Wednesday as a safety precaution for firefighters and to prevent additional fires.

The Cliff Creek Fire had expanded to 10,118 acres and was 5 percent contained, Incident Command Team Public Information Officer Julie Thomas reported this morning (July 21). There are 464 fire personnel working to confine and contain the fire, and to prevent damage to structures. Potential remains for the fire to impact the Granite Creek drainage, Thomas said.

Despite hot, dry weather and gusty winds yesterday, a change in wind direction and fire suppression efforts helped prevent the fire from reaching the Granite Creek drainage on Wednesday. On Tuesday, fire crews had observed flames on the ridgetop between Shoal Creek and Granite Creek, said Kathy Clay, Jackson Hole Fire/EMS Fire Marshal and Firefighting Coordinator Battalion Chief. Clay said the threat of fire descending into Granite Creek pushed crews to work diligently over the past two days on fire protection efforts around the area’s approximately 30 structures, including the Jack Pine Summer Homes. Teton County Cliff Creek Fire Update 7-21-16

“Yesterday’s Red Flag Warning intensified the urgency to complete the structure protection so crews can relocate,” Clay said in reference to the National Weather Service’s Wednesday warning about weather that was conducive to fire growth. “Firefighter safety is paramount to the success of the fire operation.”

Clay said that crews successfully set up a perimeter sprinkler system around the summer homes complex and examined each cabin to eliminate fuels that could be moved away from buildings or stored inside. Materials that crews moved to lower the risk of fire starts included wood piles, lawn furniture, grills and cloth umbrellas.

Clay noted that some members of the structure protection crews recently completed a three-day course presented by wildfire specialist Jack Cohen in Teton County in May. The course, offered by the National Fire Protection Association, focused on reducing ignition hazards in the area of homes. Crew members are putting many of the course’s learning points to good use up Granite Creek, Clay said.

While structure protection crews were creating defensible space, wildland firefighters were also attacking the fire itself via crews on the ground, seven helicopters and two “super scooper” planes, which were dropping water from the air.

The Cliff Creek Fire began from a lightning strike and was detected at about 2:30 p.m. Sunday, July 17, about 5 miles north of Bondurant in Sublette County. Campers at the U.S. Forest Service’s Cozy Creek Campground and residences south along U.S. Highway 189/191 and in the northern part of Bondurant were evacuated in the early hours of the fire.

On Monday afternoon, an estimated 70 people living, camping, studying, swimming and recreating up the popular Granite Creek area in Teton County were asked to evacuate. Teton County Emergency Management issued the evacuation order at 2:45 p.m. on Monday when the fire spread north across neighboring Shoal Creek toward Granite Creek. Areas evacuated included the Jack Pines summer homes, Granite Creek Campground, the Granite Hot Springs pool, and Safari Club International Foundation’s American Wilderness Leadership School.

Public meetings:

The Cliff Creek Fire Incident Command team, led by Great Basin Team 7, will hold a Community Meeting at 6 p.m. today at the Hoback Fire Station in Hoback Junction. Last night’s Community Meeting in Bondurant was standing room only and attended by an estimated 150 people or more, Thomas said. A third Community Meeting will take place in Pinedale on Friday, July 22, at the Pinedale Administration Building.

More information:

 – Those interested in receiving Teton County-specific updates on the Cliff Creek Fire can sign up by texting the word TETONCLIFFCR to 888777 to register. Users can also sign up for those or other community notices online at www.Nixle.com.

 – For Sublette County-specific updates, sign up here: http://public.alertsense.com/SignUp/?regionID=1075

 – For general Cliff Creek Fire management information, InciWeb provides the latest updates from the U.S. Forest Service: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4865/.

 – The American Red Cross of Wyoming is available to assist those ordered to evacuate with shelter or other needs in Teton County. Evacuees who would like to register with the Red Cross, may call (307) 222-8272.

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News Release Granite Creek evacuation still in effect; Fire crews set up to protect structures in canyon

 

 

Jackson, Wyo. – July 20, 2016 – An evacuation order remains in effect for the Granite Creek area, where wildland fire crews are concentrating efforts on protecting an estimated 30 structures. As of this morning, the Cliff Creek Fire had not extended into the Granite Creek drainage.

Approximately 30 firefighters and 10 fire engines have been assigned to the Granite Creek drainage to patrol, assess and perform wildfire mitigation efforts around structures, which include the Safari Club International, Jack Pine summer homes and Granite Hot Springs pool facilities, according to Mike Moyer, Jackson Hole Fire/EMS Battalion Chief and Teton County Agency Representative to the Cliff Creek Incident Management Team.

Crews are ensuring there is a safe perimeter of fuel break around homes, and they are setting up pumps, hoses and sprinklers, Moyer said.

The Cliff Creek Fire size increased Tuesday and overnight to 7,671 acres, according to Ronda Bishop, Public Information Officer for the Cliff Creek Fire Incident Command Team. The fire is zero percent contained, with 464 personnel involved in containment, suppression and structure protection efforts.

Shifting winds have caused the fire to move up over a ridge and toward U.S. Highway 191. Route 191 will therefore remain closed today (July 20, 2016), Bishop said. The road closure will be reassessed this evening.

The firefighting team, being led by Great Basin Team 7 and Incident Commander Tony DeMasters, will hold a community meeting in Bondurant at 6 p.m. this evening at the Bondurant School. Additional meetings will take place at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 21, 2016, at the Hoback Fire Station # 3 in Hoback Junction and at 6 p.m. on Friday, July 22, 2016 at the Pinedale Administration Building “Old Elementary

School” in Pinedale. The community meetings will provide an opportunity for the public to get a fire management update and to ask questions.

More information:

Those interested in receiving Teton County-specific updates on the Cliff Creek Fire can sign up by texting the word TETONCLIFFCR to 888777 to register. Users can also sign up for those or other community notices online at www.Nixle.com.

For Sublette County-specific updates, sign up here: http://public.alertsense.com/SignUp/?regionID=1075

For general Cliff Creek Fire management information, InciWeb provides the latest updates from the U.S. Forest Service: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4865/.

The American Red Cross of Wyoming is available to assist those ordered to evacuate with shelter or other needs. Evacuees who would like to register with the Red Cross, may call (307) 222-8272.

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Contact: Cindy Harger, Teton County Public Information Specialist
Phone: 307-732-5786 (office), (307) 264-9102 (mobile)
Email address: charger@tetonwyo.org