Three individuals were sentenced in federal court for separate offenses, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Wyoming.
Ralph Thomas Jones, Jr., 58, from Crystal Springs, Mississippi, received a four-month prison sentence and one year of supervised release after being convicted of assault by striking, wounding, or beating. Court documents state that on June 28, 2025, Jones and the victim had a physical altercation at the Washburn Lodge in Yellowstone National Park. The defendant struck and choked the victim multiple times, resulting in injuries that required medical attention. The case was investigated by National Park Service Law Enforcement and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariel Calmes. Chief U.S. District Judge Kelly H. Rankin imposed the sentence on February 5 in Cheyenne.
Ricardo Ballard, 52, of El Paso, Texas, was sentenced to 20 months in prison and one year of supervised release for being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court records, on October 27, 2024, Ballard was stopped by a Park Ranger in Yellowstone National Park for speeding at 75 mph in a 45-mph zone. The ranger detected burnt marijuana during the stop; Ballard initially denied having drugs or weapons but later admitted there were rolled marijuana joints in his car. A search revealed an unsealed bag of marijuana, three boxes of fireworks, and a loaded semi-automatic pistol concealed in the passenger seat pocket. Ballard has a previous federal conviction for possession with intent to distribute over 100 kilograms of marijuana and is prohibited from possessing firearms following his prior sentence of five years’ imprisonment. The investigation was conducted by National Park Service Law Enforcement and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Elmore. U.S. District Judge Scott W. Skavdahl issued the sentence on February 3 in Casper.
Luis Lopez-Romero, 39, from Guanajuato, Mexico, was sentenced to time served plus ten days to allow for deportation proceedings after being convicted of illegal re-entry into the United States following deportation. On October 2, 2022, Lopez-Romero was arrested by Jackson Hole Police Department for failing to remain at the scene after colliding with unattended property or vehicles on three counts. Immigration authorities determined he had previously been removed from the country in August 2013 without applying for permission to return legally. He was released pretrial on bond but failed to appear at his sentencing hearing scheduled for February 21, 2025; he did not contact his attorney or make efforts to attend court before being arrested eight months later in Florida’s Middle District. ICE investigated this case with prosecution led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook; U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed sentencing on February 6 in Cheyenne.
The United States Attorney’s Office represents the federal government’s interests within Wyoming through criminal prosecutions and civil litigation involving federal law violations as well as collection actions on behalf of victims and taxpayers.
The office participates in several initiatives including Project Safe Childhood—a Department of Justice program targeting technology-facilitated sexual exploitation crimes against children—and Operation Take Back America which focuses DOJ resources against illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations while coordinating with other task forces such as OCDETFs and Project Safe Neighborhoods.
Additionally, the Victim Witness Program ensures that victims of federal crimes are treated respectfully throughout legal proceedings.
To report suspected federal crimes online: https://www.justice.gov/actioncenter/report-crime
