CASPER, Wyo. — On September 14, 2026, Denny Jason Shrove, 48, of Rawlins, was sentenced to 216 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release for the distribution of methamphetamine.
According to court documents, the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, with the assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations, launched a sweeping campaign against a major drug trafficking organization spanning multiple counties in Wyoming and Colorado.
Agents identified Shrove as the lead distributor in Wyoming alongside co-conspirators Bryan Hackleman, Gregory McCoy, Nicole Phipps, Alysha Dahl, Jonathan Burton, Cainen Taylor, and dozens of others charged through state court. The group worked together to transport narcotics from Colorado and distribute them across Natrona, Carbon, Campbell, Laramie and Albany counties in Wyoming. The investigation revealed Shrove was responsible for redistributing at least 23 pounds of methamphetamine in Wyoming.
Over the course of the investigation, authorities seized approximately 1,429.7 grams of methamphetamine, 25.3 grams of fentanyl pills, 67.5 grams of heroin, 16.4 grams of cocaine, fentanyl powder, psilocybin mushrooms and marijuana.
"The trafficking of highly addictive substances like methamphetamine and fentanyl threatens the safety and well-being of families across Wyoming," said U.S. Attorney Darin Smith. "Today's sentencing holds a key distributor accountable and underscores our resolve to pursue those who profit from drug abuse."
The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation investigated the case with the assistance of the DEA, HSI, and multiple state and local agencies in Colorado and Wyoming. Shrove was arrested on Jan. 23, 2026, and remained in continual custody until he pleaded guilty. Assistant U.S. Attorney Z. Seth Griswold prosecuted the case. U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl imposed the sentence in Casper.
Case No. 26-CR-00071-SWS
This case is part of Operation Take Back America , a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).
Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office — Wyoming — U.S. Department of Justice press release.