Gillette man sentenced on possession charges

Gillette resident Milford Hiebert has received a suspended sentence on possession charges after evidence of marijuana use was found in his vehicle during a traffic stop for speeding.

In April, 2020, a Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper observed a vehicle traveling westbound at what appeared to be a high rate of speed that radar confirmed to be 90 mph in a 75 mph zone. The trooper pulled the vehicle over and approached the driver, who allegedly stated he had been trying to overtake an RV and had looked down to see he was traveling at 90 mph.

While completing a check of the VIN number, the trooper allegedly noticed the odor of burnt marijuana. Hiebert allegedly denied having used marijuana and said he had recently been near a campfire.

The trooper said he could smell marijuana, not a campfire, and Hiebert allegedly responded adamantly that he was not in possession of any marijuana and the trooper could search his vehicle. The trooper asked if he had recently been in contact with anyone who may have been using; Hiebert allegedly responded that he was currently on felony probation and was trying to avoid getting in trouble.

Hiebert repeated his offer for the trooper to search the vehicle and allegedly stated he was in possession of his ex-girlfriend’s property, which was located in the trunk, and did not know what may be in there. According to the trooper’s report, Hiebert confirmed that his ex-girlfriend uses marijuana.

No contraband was found on Hiebert’s person. The trooper reports that he could not detect the odor of marijuana in the front passenger compartment or locate any contraband.

However, according to court reports, when the trooper moved to the right rear passenger area, he immediately detected the odor and a search revealed an electronic smoking device that smelled strongly of burnt marijuana.

Hiebert allegedly claimed he was unaware it was in the vehicle. He then allegedly stated his friend had used marijuana at the campsite mentioned earlier.

In the trunk, the trooper located what appeared to be a “heavily used” glass smoking pipe containing suspected burnt marijuana and, under the trunk floor, a dispensary bottle containing suspected raw marijuana residue. The trooper states in his report that there did not appear to be property that would belong to a female subject in the trunk; most items were men’s clothing and hygiene products.

Hiebert allegedly stated he had witnessed his ex-girlfriend use both the pipe and electronic device and denied having used them himself or owning the dispensary bottle. Due to his criminal history, he was placed under arrest and transported to Crook County Detention Center.

Hiebert pled guilty to one felony count of possession of a controlled substance, third or subsequent offense, with known prior convictions in Campbell County in 2016 and 2019. Judge John R. Perry sentenced him to between three and five years in jail and a $5000 fine.

This sentence was suspended pending successful completion of three years of supervised probation.