I-80 Traffic Stop Leads to Felony Charges for Hillsdale Woman

A 43-year-old Hillsdale woman is facing multiple felony charges after a Wyoming trooper reportedly caught her with drugs.

I-80 Traffic Stop Leads to Drugs, Felony Charges

According to a booking sheet, Barbara Jo Baker was arrested at mile marker 371 on westbound Interstate 80 at 3:38 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 29.

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Baker was booked into the Laramie County Detention Center and subsequently charged with felony possession of hydrocodone, a crime punishable by up to five years in prison, up to a $10,000 fine, or both; felony possession of diazepam, a crime punishable by up to two years in prison, up to a $2,500 fine, or both; and felony possession of codeine, a crime punishable by up to five years in prison, up to a $10,000 fine, or both.

She was also charged with possession of a controlled substance - third or subsequent, a felony punishable by up to five years in prison, up to a $5,000 fine, or both, for allegedly possessing marijuana and having been previously convicted of the same or similar offense on Aug. 4, 2016, and Oct. 10, 2018.

Initial Court Appearance

On Wednesday, Oct. 1, Baker was seen in Laramie County Circuit Court in front of Judge Antoinette Williams on the charges.

Williams appointed Baker a public defender and her preliminary hearing was scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 8, at 2:15 p.m.

Williams then asked for the state's position regarding bond.

"Ms. Baker does have a, as the information indicates, a history of similar offenses, including 2001, two from 2019, and one from 2016," the state said. "It does appear that she complies with court orders, but she does have extensive drug and alcohol related offenses which gives the state concern for the safety of the community."

"The significant underlying penalty in these charges with the number of drug related charges in this information gives the state concern for her willingness to comply with court orders," the state added. "For those reasons, the state believes that a cash bond is appropriate and would request $3,000 cash."

Bond Set at $5K Cash

Williams set Baker's bond at $5,000 cash.

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