Greybull man pleads not guilty to possession of methamphetamine

Loren Emmett, 58, of Greybull pleaded not guilty to one felony count of possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, at his arraignment in Big Horn County District Court on Tuesday, June 16. 

Emmett was arrested on May 14 near Frannie by the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation. According to an affidavit prepared by Special Agent Anthony Giles of the Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office, an assigned DCI task force officer, DCI agents observed a 1998 green Ford Explorer entering Montana on U.S. Highway 310 north of Frannie on May 14 around 4:06 p.m. Later that day, at approximately 8:43 p.m., Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office Deputies conducted a traffic stop on the same vehicle near mile marker 252 on Highway 310 in Big Horn County, Wyoming. They found the vehicle was registered to Isaac Moreno and operated by the sole occupant, Emmett. 

Following the traffic stop, officers executed a warrant issued by Judge William Simpson to search the vehicle and Emmett’s person. Emmett was placed in handcuffs and read his rights. During subsequent questioning, Giles reports Emmet admitted there was a meth pipe in the center console of the vehicle. 

Two baggies of a crystalline substance and a metal pill capsule containing a similar substance were found on Emmett’s person, suspected to be methamphetamine. Additionally, officers found a glass pipe containing the substance, another baggie with the same, and a blue iPhone in the vehicle. All were placed in evidence. A measurement taken at Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office in Basin later on found the total combined weight of the substance to be 6.6 grams, more than double the amount that constitutes a felony in the state of Wyoming. A field test conducted by Giles confirmed the substance contained methamphetamine. 

The single charge presented in District Court on Tuesday could constitute up to seven years, a fine of not more than $15,000 or both for Emmett. A three-day jury trial has been ordered, to be scheduled within the next 180 days. 

Originally, Emmett’s bail was set at $50,000 cash, in accordance with the warrant. Defense lawyer Sam Krone requested that be reduced to $10,000 cash or commercial, citing Emmett’s “ties to the community,” “fairly limited criminal history” and “ability to hold down a job.” Big Horn County Attorney Marcia Bean, representing the state, did not contest the change. Judge Bobbi Overfield agreed to modify the bond to $2,500 cash only. Should he make bail, Emmett will be allowed to return to his home between Greybull and Shell, checking in with Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office twice a day and adhering to standard travel and controlled substance restrictions.