Cheyenne Trio Faces Serious Charges in Fentanyl Conspiracy

A Cheyenne trio is facing felony charges after allegedly conspiring to deliver fentanyl.

According to booking sheets, Laramie County deputies arrested 36-year-old Christopher James Butterfield and 32-year-old Jahmela Marie Banks in the 3400 block of South Greeley Highway on the night of Sept. 24, after Butterfield was stopped for speeding.

It's alleged that on the same day, the two conspired with 44-year-old inmate Edward James McGaha, who the sheriff's office says has been in the Laramie County Detention Center since Sept. 5, to deliver fentanyl.

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What Landed McGaha in Jail?

According to a booking sheet, a Laramie County deputy arrested McGaha at mile marker 4 on northbound U.S. 85 at 9:15 p.m. on Sept. 5, after catching him with drugs.

McGaha was subsequently charged with felony possession of fentanyl and crack cocaine, crimes punishable by up to seven years in prison, up to a $15,000 fine, or both; possession with intent to deliver a Schedule I or II narcotic, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison, up to a $25,000 fine, or both; and misdemeanor possession of heroin and cocaine.

On Sept. 9, McGaha was seen in Laramie County Circuit Court in front of Judge Antoinette Williams on the charges.

Williams appointed him a public defender then asked for the state's position on bond.

The state recommended a $7,500 cash bond, noting that McGaha was currently on probation for possession of a controlled substance and had admitted to selling fentanyl in Laramie County, and Williams accepted the recommendation.

RELATED: Cheyenne Man Accused of Taking Fentanyl Into Jail in His Rectum

The case was bound over to Laramie County District Court on Sept. 19, and at 4:45 p.m. on Sept. 24, about four hours before Butterfield and Baker were arrested, McGaha was served with a warrant out of district court for probation violation.

McGaha is scheduled to appear before Judge Peter H. Froelicher for his probation revocation hearing on Oct. 16 and will likely be arraigned on the other case at the same time.

Butterfield and Banks Charged, Bonds Set at $15K Cash

Back to Butterfield and Banks.

They were subsequently charged with conspiracy to deliver fentanyl, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison, up to a $25,000 fine, or both; felony possession of fentanyl and crack cocaine, crimes punishable by up to seven years in prison, up to a $15,000 fine, or both; and possession with intent to deliver fentanyl, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison, up to a $25,000 fine, or both.

Butterfield was also cited for speeding.

On Sept. 26, the two were seen in circuit court in front of Judge Sean C. Chambers on the charges.

Chambers appointed the two public defenders and, at the recommendation of the state, set their bonds at $15,000 cash.

The two are scheduled to be back in court for their preliminary hearings on Oct. 3 at 10:30 a.m.

McGaha Hit With Conspiracy Charge, Bond Set at $20K Cash

On Oct. 1, McGaha was seen in circuit court in front of Williams on a charge of conspiracy to deliver fentanyl.

Williams appointed McGaha a public defender and his preliminary hearing was set for Oct. 8 at 3 p.m.

The state requested a $10,000 cash bond, saying it had very serious concerns for the safety of the community given McGaha's history of similar offenses and the nature of the charge and methodical conduct used to bring the drugs from out of state into Wyoming, but Williams set his bond at $20,000 cash.

Please remember that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.