In a case that has ignited widespread public fury while highlighting contentious wildlife laws in Wyoming, Daniel resident Cody Roberts was indicted by a Sublette County grand jury on August 20th, for felony animal cruelty. The charges stem from a February 2024 incident where Roberts allegedly ran over a young female wolf with a snowmobile, taped its mouth shut, paraded the injured animal in a local bar, and later killed it.
The original incident took place on February 29, 2024, in Daniel, Wyoming when Roberts intentionally struck a juvenile wolf with his snowmobile. According to reports, he proceeded to restrain the still-alive animal by taping its muzzle, brought it into the Green River Bar where he posed for photos and videos while slugging cold ones, before eventually taking it outside and killing it. Circulated images showed the wolf lying on the bar floor, barely moving, with Roberts grinning beside it, beer in hand. Witnesses described the scene as disturbing, with the animal appearing in severe distress.
Initially, Roberts faced only a $250 fine from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department for illegal possession of live wildlife, a misdemeanor charge. This lenient penalty sparked immediate backlash, as most wolves in Wyoming are classified as "predators" with minimal protections, allowing unrestricted killing but not necessarily explicit cruelty. Animal advocates argued that the fine failed to address the apparent sadism involved and for once, they weren’t wrong.
The case languished for 18 months due to evidentiary hurdles and a concurrent murder investigation in Sublette County that diverted resources. Sublette County Attorney Clayton Melinkovich convened a grand jury to determine whether there was sufficient evidence to indict Roberts on felony charges. This process began quietly in late July or early August 2025, following an 18-month investigation into the February 2024 incident where Roberts allegedly tormented and killed a young wolf. Grand juries in Wyoming operate in secret, allowing prosecutors to present evidence - such as witness testimony, documents, and expert opinions - without the presence of defense attorneys or the accused.
The jury, typically composed of 9 to 12 citizens selected similarly to trial jurors, hears the case unilaterally and votes on whether probable cause exists to issue an indictment. In this instance, at least 9 jurors voted to indict Roberts this week under Wyoming Statute 6-3-1005 for knowingly causing undue suffering to an animal which is a felony. The secrecy helps protect potential defendants if no indictment is issued and allows for subpoena power to compel testimony that might otherwise be unavailable. Experts suggest Melinkovich opted for this route due to the case's high-profile and controversial nature, which involved global public outrage, potential community divisions, and complex evidentiary challenges like interpreting wildlife cruelty laws.
Given that the grand jury ultimately found sufficient evidence to indict Roberts, if he is convicted, he could face up to two years in prison and a $5,000 fine. No trial date has been set, and the defendant has not yet entered a plea.
