All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
(Riverton, WY) – 42-year-old Shawnda Frazier, of Riverton, is facing multiple charges after reportedly stealing a vehicle, a firearm, attempting to steal a side-by-side and causing damage to it, driving while under the influence, and attempting to flee law enforcement.
Frazier had a hearing with Judge Marvin Tyler on February 23rd where further proceedings were suspended pending an evaluation at the State Hospital. She remains in custody on a $50,000 cash-only bond.
Just before 9:00 pm on January 29th, 2021, the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a Riverton business for reports of a running side-by-side with its headlights on, stuck in a security fence.
The responding Deputy noted in the report the side-by-side was used to ram the security fence from the inside of the enclosure causing damage in excess of $1,500 to the $21,000 piece of property, according to court documents. The fence damage was estimated to be in excess of $4,500 as well. No one was in the area upon arrival.
During the investigation, a “distinct shoe print” was located in some soft dirt. The direction indicated the person was headed northbound, and likely belonged to an adult woman.
About 20 minutes later, a stolen vehicle was reported about .6 miles north of the side-by-side incident.
The stolen vehicle was located driving through Shoshoni. Once stopped on the east side of the town, the driver exited the vehicle and “ran on foot south to the train tracks.”
Law enforcement was able to detain the driver identified as Frazier.
She reportedly admitted to the Deputy that “she did not know the owner of the vehicle, that she had been walking, the vehicle had keys in it and she made a mistake and was sorry.”
According to court documents, she denied knowledge of the side-by-side incident.
Frazier was given a field sobriety test due to the smell of alcohol, the result was a BAC of .08%. She reportedly admitted to drinking prior to driving.
The owner of the vehicle recovered it, however, items not belonging to them were found inside – including a pistol, a matching magazine, a holster, and a set of keys.
Just before 9:00 am the following morning, a report of stolen items from a vehicle in the same area was filed. The items missing matched those found in the stolen vehicle.
The shoes Frazier was wearing were determined to match those of the “distinct shoe print” located near the side-by-side incident.
Frazier currently faces the following 8 counts.
One count aggravated burglary, a felony, punishable by imprisonment of not less than 5 years and no more than 25, a fine of not more than $50,000, or both.
One count burglary, one count firearm theft, one count attempted theft greater than $1,000, one count theft taking of property greater than $1,000, one count property destruction and defacement. All five are felonies, punishable by imprisonment of not more than 10 years, a fine of not more than $10,000, or both.
One count interference with a peace officer, a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment of not more than 1 year, a fine of no more than $1,000, or both.
One count felony driving or having control of a vehicle while under the influence, punishable by imprisonment of no more than 7 years, a fine of no more than $10,000, or both. This penalty is enhanced due to 3 prior convictions in Natrona County of driving while under the influence within the last 10 years.
During the hearing last week, it was stated at the time of her arrest she was on probation out of Natrona County for driving while under the influence and stolen property.
County 10 will share updates as this case progresses.