All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
(Riverton, WY) – 48-year-old Sherette Lujan, who was arrested on June 15 for felony property destruction after reportedly breaking out numerous glass window and door panels inside the Riverton Post Office, has been federally charged with felony injury or depredation to United States property.
The federal criminal complaint filed against Lujan states that on or about Saturday, June 15, a Riverton Police Department (RPD) officer was dispatched to the Riverton Post Office for a report of a male subject inside of the building, who was believed to be “breaking glass with a metal object.”
Upon arrival, the officer observed that the entrance of the post office building was partially blocked by two recycling bins and a metal signpost that had been overturned, as well as several articles of mail and shards of broken glass strewn across the floor.
RPD also observed that numerous windows of the property had been severely damaged.
Upon approaching the stairway located at the east side of the lobby, the RPD officer detected what sounded like several “metallic clangs” coming from the landing area at the top of the staircase.
Lujan soon appeared from behind a wall at the top of the staircase landing, at which point he was directed at gunpoint to drop anything he was holding and descend the staircase.
Lujan complied without further incident and was detained before being escorted to the officer’s patrol vehicle.
Law enforcement inspected the interior of the post office building, where three exterior windows, one glass display case, and the window of the door leading to the basement of the property were observed to be “significantly damaged.”
A large brass pipe was also located on the landing floor, which was observed to have a “significant amount of scratches and dents” that “appeared to have been caused by repeated blunt force.”
Officers also documented that the handles on the entrance doors were observed to be consistent in appearance to the damaged brass pipe, and the interior lobby door was found to be missing its handle.
Lujan reportedly waived his Miranda Rights and was questioned, and went on to advise officers that he had been drinking at a bar and “done a line” earlier in the night, which he later clarified was Methamphetamine.
Lujan then stated that as he was walking on E Main Street, a group of “approximately 10-12 gangsters began chasing him,” at which point he fled and hid inside of the post office.
Lujan advised that he then attempted to barricade the front entrances to the post office using items from the lobby, during which time the brass door handle of the lobby door broke off.
When asked how the damages to the windows had occurred, Lujan reportedly stated “something to the effect of he needed to show the pursuing 10-12 subjects that he was
gangster.”
Lujan then clarified that he damaged that windows in “an effort to scare his attackers away.”
Total damages were later estimated to be in excess of $1,000.00.
Lujan also stated that the methamphetamine he reportedly ingested earlier was “abnormally potent” and that he was “still actively feeling its effects.”
A motion for a detention hearing was filed on June 18, but at this time no further hearings have been scheduled.
A federal injury or depredation to United States property charge holds a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 Fine, three years supervised release and $100 special assessment fee.
County 10 will provide updates on the case as they become available, which can be viewed here.