Replace: 3/5/26
Cody Roberts, a Wyoming man who sparked international outrage after working down a wolf with a snowmobile, capturing it whereas injured, and bringing it to a bar the place the animal was later shot and killed, has pleaded responsible to felony animal cruelty.
In a Sweetwater County courtroom Thursday morning, Roberts apologized for his actions and the impact they’ve had on his household. He had initially pleaded not responsible however later modified his plea to responsible underneath the phrases of a negotiated settlement.
Sweetwater County District Court docket Decide Richard Lavery stated he’ll overview the plea settlement earlier than deciding whether or not to simply accept it. A pre-sentence investigation has been ordered, and the choose will decide Roberts’ sentence at a later listening to as soon as the report is full.
Below the proposed plea deal, Roberts would pay a $1,000 fantastic and serve 18 months of probation. Throughout this era, he could be prohibited from consuming alcohol, coming into bars or liquor shops, carrying a firearm, and from searching or fishing. Any violation might end in him serving as much as two years in jail.
Prosecutors emphasised that the case was backed by in depth proof, together with witness statements, photographs, movies, and different documentation. The incident has drawn widespread public consideration and prompted requires stronger wildlife protections in Wyoming, significantly concerning wolf safety and the enforcement of animal cruelty legal guidelines.
Animal welfare advocates welcomed the responsible plea however warned that it highlights severe weaknesses in Wyoming’s wildlife protections. Many careworn the necessity to stop comparable acts of violence towards wildlife sooner or later, a duty Wyoming should implement and take significantly.
__________________________________Replace: 2/25/26
Cody Roberts, a Wyoming man on the heart of a broadly condemned case involving the torture and killing of a grey wolf has reached a plea settlement that might enable him to keep away from jail time.
Based on court docket filings in Sublette County District Court docket, Roberts is predicted to withdraw his earlier not responsible plea and enter a plea of responsible or no contest to a felony animal cruelty cost. The settlement should nonetheless be permitted by a choose.
Below the phrases of the deal, Roberts faces a possible jail sentence of 18 to 24 months, however that time period could be suspended if he efficiently completes 18 months of supervised probation and pays a $1,000 fantastic.
As a part of his probation, Roberts could be topic to quite a few situations, together with:
A ban on searching and fishing
Prohibition on consuming alcohol or coming into bars or liquor institutions
Necessary compliance with advisable dependancy therapy
Further commonplace probation necessities might also be imposed on the court docket’s discretion.
If Roberts violates his probation, the suspended jail sentence might be activated, that means he might serve as much as two years behind bars and face extra fines of as much as $4,000.
The plea settlement offers the choose a selection: if the choose refuses to simply accept it, Roberts could be permitted to withdraw his plea and will both go to trial or search a special deal.
The case ignited worldwide outrage after video footage surfaced displaying a grey wolf being tortured, which Roberts took to the again of a bar and shot lifeless. Wildlife advocates and animal welfare organizations denounced the barbaric act, demanding that Roberts face the complete power of the legislation.
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Replace: 2/12/26
The felony animal cruelty case towards Cody Roberts heads to trial after no plea settlement was reached by the choose’s court-imposed deadline.
Based on Wyoming Wildlife Advocates, yesterday was the choose’s deadline for a plea deal. The choose signaled they wouldn’t transfer ahead with jury choice or different trial proceedings if a deal was nonetheless on the desk.
With no settlement reached, Roberts will now face trial as scheduled.
Jury proceedings are set to start on March ninth at 9:00 a.m. on the Sublette County District Court docket in Pinedale, Wyoming.
The case stems from the torture and brutal killing of a feminine grey wolf, an incident that sparked nationwide outrage and intensified requires stronger protections for wildlife.
WAN will proceed to supply updates because the trial unfolds.
__________________________________Replace: 2/3/26
Decide Richard L. Lavery has DENIED the protection’s movement to dismiss the felony animal cruelty cost towards Cody J. Roberts, that means the cost will stand and the prosecution will transfer ahead, in accordance with Wyoming Wildlife Advocates.
Roberts’ legal professional had argued the felony cost ought to be thrown out, however Decide Lavery rejected that declare, discovering there may be ample proof for the prosecution to pursue the case.
With the movement denied, the clock is now ticking: there are eight days remaining for a plea deal. If no settlement is reached, the case is scheduled to proceed to trial on March 9, 2026, in Sublette County District Court docket.
The court docket continues to be awaiting a ruling on whether or not Kenneth Mills, lead wolf biologist with the Wyoming Sport and Fish Division, will likely be allowed to testify as an knowledgeable witness, a choice that might be essential in presenting scientific proof at trial.
This felony case stems from Roberts’ alleged torture and killing of a feminine wolf in February 2024, an act that sparked nationwide outrage after photographs and video of the injured animal circulated on-line.
WAN will proceed to carefully monitor this case and supply updates because the authorized course of unfolds.
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Replace: 1/29/26
A Wyoming choose has reserved the judgement to dismiss the felony animal cruelty cost towards Cody Roberts for allegedly torturing and killing a feminine wolf in Wyoming, conserving the case on monitor for a jury trial.
On January 28, 2026, Sweetwater County District Court docket Decide Richard Lavery heard arguments on the protection’s movement to dismiss Robert’s case. The protection argued that Wyoming legislation permits predators to be killed “in any method,” claiming the statute exempted Roberts’ actions from animal cruelty legal guidelines.
Decide Lavery took the matter underneath advisement and didn’t problem an instantaneous ruling. No motions have been granted, and the felony animal cruelty cost stays pending.
Through the listening to, Decide Lavery expressed skepticism towards the protection’s interpretation, stating that absolutely exempting predators from cruelty legal guidelines “appears a bridge too far.”
The court docket additionally addressed disputes over knowledgeable testimony. Prosecutors plan to name wolf biologist Kenneth Mills to testify about regular wolf conduct, which they are saying is related as to if the animal suffered whereas restrained inside a bar. The protection is in search of to exclude the testimony, arguing it’s opinion-based and out of doors Mills’ particular experience.
Roberts’ authorized staff continues to depend on Wyoming State Statute 6-3-1008, which allows predators to be killed “in any method.” Prosecutors argue the case just isn’t about searching, however concerning the therapy of a reside animal whereas underneath human management.
Potential jury choice might start on February 12, 2026, with a five-day trial probably beginning on March 9. Round 100 potential jurors are anticipated to be summoned.
World Animal Information will proceed to supply updates because the case proceeds.
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Replace: On January 28, a Wyoming choose will determine whether or not the felony animal-cruelty case towards Cody Roberts strikes ahead—or will get thrown out earlier than ever reaching trial.
Whereas we look ahead to the choice to be handed down (and don’t help interference with the authorized course of), we encourage you to make your voice heard with Congress by taking motion immediately at TeamWolf.org. If the Home’s anti-wolf invoice passes the Senate, it is going to be immune from judicial overview. Assist put a cease to coverage dictated by politics over science.
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Justice is lastly being served! Eighteen months after Cody Roberts brutally killed a feminine grey wolf, sparking international outrage, Roberts has lastly been indicted by a Wyoming grand jury for felony animal cruelty. In February 2024, Roberts chased down a younger grey wolf with a snowmobile, taped her mouth shut, and tortured her earlier than parading her via a bar and ultimately killing her.
