Wade Schear, a 42-year-old resident of Gillette, Wyoming, has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for methamphetamine trafficking. The sentence includes five years of supervised release following imprisonment. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Kelly H. Rankin handed down the sentence on July 17, 2025, in Cheyenne.
Schear’s conviction followed a three-day jury trial that concluded on April 30. Evidence presented during the trial revealed that an investigation by the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation Central Enforcement Team focused on methamphetamine activities in Natrona County identified Schear as a key figure. On June 22, 2024, a traffic stop conducted by the Platte County Sheriff’s Office near Chugwater led to the discovery of approximately 871 grams of methamphetamine in Schear’s vehicle. The drugs were found concealed in two large plastic bags within his backpack.
The investigation uncovered that Schear regularly traveled between Wyoming and Colorado to procure substantial amounts of methamphetamine for distribution back in Wyoming. Notably, Schear had two prior convictions for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
The case was investigated by both the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation Central Enforcement Team and the Platte County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mackenzie R. Morrison and Eric Heimann were responsible for prosecuting the case.
