PINEDALE, Wyo. — A Wyoming resident has been sentenced to 18 months probation after pleading guilty to striking a wolf with his snowmobile, then transporting the injured animal to a local establishment before ultimately killing it.
Cody Roberts, 44, received his sentence Wednesday from District Judge Richard Lavery in Pinedale, following a plea agreement Roberts made with prosecutors back in February.
Along with the probation term, Judge Lavery imposed a $1,000 fine on Roberts and prohibited him from consuming alcohol, visiting bars or liquor establishments, or participating in hunting and fishing activities throughout his probation period.
During his plea hearing in March, Roberts expressed remorse for his actions and issued apologies to both his family and the local community, according to court records.
By accepting the plea deal, Roberts escaped potentially harsher penalties including up to two years behind bars and a maximum $5,000 fine. He had originally entered a not guilty plea, with a trial scheduled for March before changing his plea.
The disturbing incident took place in February 2024 in the small community of Daniel, which has approximately 150 residents and sits roughly 50 miles south of Jackson. Images depicting the wolf with its mouth bound by tape sparked widespread outrage and brought attention to Wyoming’s wildlife protection laws when they circulated online.
Additional footage captured the same animal lying motionless on the ground, still alive but severely injured.
Current Wyoming statutes permit residents to kill wolves and other predatory animals through various methods across most of the state’s territory. Roberts initially received only a $250 citation for unlawful wildlife possession, but a Wyoming grand jury later brought animal cruelty charges against him last year.
