All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
(Riverton, WY) – 28-year-old Brandon Walter Frankson faces three felony charges for incidents that ocurred in September of 2019.
These charges include:
- Arson in the third degree, a felony punishable by imprisonment of up to 5 years, a fine up to $5,000, or both.
- Two counts of Burglary, a felony punishable by imprisonment of up to 10 years, a fine up $10,000, or both.
Frankson waived his preliminary hearing, and the case will now move on to District Court. An arraignment has been scheduled for 4/13/21.
On the night of September 4, 2019, RPD officers were dispatched to a Riverton residence to investigate a homeowner report stating someone had broken into the office of their garage and started a fire. In addition to the estimated fire damages of at least $200 to the property, court documents state a “DeWalt hammer was located in the garage bathroom,” which did not belong to the residents.
While canvassing the area, RPD noted a vehicle with the back door open. The officer contacted the owner, who took inventory of the vehicle. Among the missing items were a $500 subwoofer system, a hoodie, and DeWalt Hammer. A small amount of blood was found on the back door, and a sample was taken.
The next morning on September 5, an off-duty police officer called RPD to report that a subwoofer system was left in his driveway that was the same make, model, and style as the reportedly stolen item. A small amount of blood was found on the subwoofer, and a sample was taken.
That same day while out on patrol, RPD reportedly observed a male carrying what appeared to be black rectangular object. While attempting to make contact with the male, the officer located another vehicle with a door open and a missing stereo. The owner was immediately notified.
Aproximately 5 minutes later, another officer located a male matching the same description, carrying a black rectangular object. The male allegedly fled once he noticed the RPD vehicle.
The officers caught up with the male, who was “no longer carrying anything.” After making contact with him, one officer left to look for the item. The other officer stayed with the male and noticed a Band-Aid on the man’s left index finger.
When asked to identify himself, the male reportedly provided a fake name, but officers were able to verify him “based on a booking photo,” as Brandon Frankson.
The following day on September 6, a Riverton citizen alerted RPD about finding a car stereo “sitting on the front tire of his work truck.” This stereo was later positively identified by the owner of the vehicle as one of the allegedly stolen items. RPD also located blood on the side of her car, and a sample was taken.
The swabs of suspected blood and swabs from areas where the suspect was believed to have touched inside the garage, were sent to the Wyoming State Crime Lab for processing.
On November 6, 2020, a search warrant was obtained that allowed officers to collect a buccal (cheek) swab sample from Franskon, which was also sent to the Crime Lab.
Lab results received on December 14, 2020, indicated DNA samples from Frankson matched those found from the subwoofer and the vehicle from which it was allegedly stolen.
On January 6, 2021, further lab results of the DNA processing were received, which revealed Frankson’s DNA was found on the toilet of the garage bathroom, the vehicle located at that residence, and the DeWalt hammer.
County 10 will share any updates following the arraignment hearing on April 13.