Three individuals were recently sentenced in the District of Wyoming for separate federal offenses, according to information released by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Ralph Thomas Jones, Jr., 58, from Crystal Springs, Mississippi, received a four-month federal prison sentence and one year of supervised release for assault. Court documents indicate that on June 28, 2025, Jones engaged in a physical altercation with the victim at Washburn Lodge in Yellowstone National Park. The incident involved multiple strikes and choking that resulted in injuries requiring medical attention. The case was investigated by National Park Service Law Enforcement and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariel Calmes. Chief U.S. District Judge Kelly H. Rankin imposed the sentence on February 5 in Cheyenne.
Ricardo Ballard, 52, of El Paso, Texas, was sentenced to 20 months in prison and one year of supervised release for being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court records, Ballard was stopped for speeding—traveling at 75 mph in a 45-mph zone—in Yellowstone National Park on October 27, 2024. A park ranger detected the smell of burnt marijuana during the stop; after initially denying possession of drugs or weapons, Ballard admitted there were rolled marijuana joints inside his vehicle. A search revealed an unsealed bag of marijuana, three boxes of fireworks, and a loaded semi-automatic pistol hidden behind the passenger seat pocket. Ballard has a previous federal conviction related to drug distribution and is prohibited from possessing firearms as part of his prior sentence. The investigation was conducted by National Park Service Law Enforcement and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Elmore; sentencing took place before U.S. District Judge Scott W. Skavdahl on February 3 in Casper.
Luis Lopez-Romero, age 39 from Guanajuato, Mexico, was sentenced to time served plus ten days to facilitate deportation proceedings following his illegal re-entry into the United States after having been previously deported in August 2013. On October 2, 2022, he was arrested by Jackson Hole Police Department on charges related to failing duties after colliding with unattended property or vehicles; later it was determined by ICE that he had not applied for permission to re-enter the country post-removal. Lopez-Romero failed to appear at his scheduled sentencing hearing on February 21, 2025; authorities noted he made no effort to attend or contact his attorney and was apprehended eight months later in Florida’s Middle District. ICE investigated this matter while Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook handled prosecution; sentencing occurred before U.S District Court Judge Alan B Johnson on February 6 in Cheyenne.
The United States Attorney’s Office represents the federal government within Wyoming’s district courts across criminal prosecutions and civil litigation involving federal law violations or government interests such as restitution collection for victims and taxpayers.
The office participates in several programs aimed at public safety:
- Project Safe Childhood is an initiative focused on preventing technology-facilitated sexual exploitation crimes against children.
- Operation Take Back America coordinates resources across DOJ agencies targeting illegal immigration enforcement efforts as well as organized crime and violent offenders.
- The Victim Witness Program provides support services ensuring fair treatment for victims of federal crimes throughout legal proceedings.
To report suspected federal crimes directly online: https://www.justice.gov/actioncenter/report-crime
