Wyoming Sex Offender Records

What is a Sex Offender?

Fewer crimes attract public scrutiny and cause public concern than sex offenses in Wyoming. As a result, anyone accused and sentenced for a sex crime (a "sex offender") faces punitive or enhanced penalties from the law. This is true even if the offender is convicted in another state or jurisdiction.

Most times, a sex offender will either be confined for a lengthy period or required to pay a substantial fine, or both. However, the state courts can impose other penalties, including probation, electronic monitoring (EM), house arrest, supervised release, sex offender treatment, sex offender registration, etc., on persons who commit sex crimes.

All this can contribute to social isolation, job loss, and loss of respect from community members. It can also create limitations to where the sex offender can live or attend school - especially when a child is a victim. Furthermore, an offender can be made to forfeit their immigrant status and be deported from the country.

Who is Considered a Sex Offender in Wyoming?

Under Wyoming Statutes, a "sex offender" is anyone convicted of a criminal offense indicated in W.S 7-19-302(g) through (j) and the following:

Human trafficking in the first or second degree (W.S. 6-2-702 and W.S. 6-2-703)
Sexual servitude of adult (W.S. 6-2-705)
Sexual servitude of a minor (W.S. 6-2-706)

The designation of sex offender also extends to a person convicted as an accessory before the fact of any criminal offense specified above. (Per W.S. 6-1-201, an "accessory before the fact" is someone who knowingly aids and abets the commission of a felony.) The term sex offender also refers to an individual who received the same or a similar sex conviction as the above in another jurisdiction.

According to W.S 7-19-301(iii), "convicted" means any pleas of nolo contendere (no contest), guilty, or guilty verdicts upon which a judgment of conviction or adjudication as a delinquent for offenses outlined in W.S. 7-19-302(j) may be rendered. However, this does not apply to people found guilty but put on probation per W.S. 7-13-301.

What are the Different Types of Sex Offenses in Wyoming?

Wyoming's sex offenses are specified in different titles, chapters, articles, and sections of the state's legislature, but majorly under Title 6 (Crimes and Offenses). Below are some of these offenses, their statutes, and associated penalties:

Sexual assault: In Wyoming, sexual assault is any criminal act under W.S. 6-2-302 through 6-2-320. This crime is divided into first, second, and third-degree charges, and also includes sexual battery and sexual abuse crimes.

First-degree sexual assault (W.S 6-2-302): Sexual assault is considered in the first degree if a person (actor or perpetrator) inflicts sexual intrusion on someone else and:

The perpetrator makes the victim submit through force or forcible confinement, reasonably calculated to cause the victim to submit.
The perpetrator causes the victim to submit by threatening to inflict serious bodily injury, death, extreme physical pain, or kidnapping on anyone, and the victim reasonably thinks that the perpetrator is capable of executing the threat.
The victim suffers from physical helplessness, and the actor is aware or should reasonably be aware of this fact and that the victim did not consent.
The culprit knows or should know that the victim suffers a mental illness, deficiency, or developmental disability that prevents them from appraising their conduct.

Second-degree sexual assault (W.S 6-2-303): Second-degree sexual assault occurs when, under the circumstances not constituting first-degree sexual assault, a person inflicts sexual intrusion on another person and:

The perpetrator causes the victim's submission by threatening to retaliate against them or their spouse, child, brother, sister, or parent in the future, and the victim believes that the perpetrator will carry out the threat. Here, "retaliate" means threats of death, kidnapping, extreme physical pain, and serious bodily injury.
The perpetrator causes the victim's submission by any means that would hinder the victim's resistance.
The perpetrator administers or is aware that another person administered, without the victim's consent, a substance that impairs the victim's ability to appraise or control their conduct.
The culprit knows or should know that the victim submitted while believing the perpetrator to be their spouse.
The perpetrator has authority over the victim and uses that position to cause the victim's submission.
The perpetrator is an employee, volunteer, or independent contractor of a state or privately-run juvenile or adult correctional facility (jail, detention center, secure treatment facility, etc.), and the perpetrator knows or should reasonably know that the victim is a resident of such facility or is being supervised.
The perpetrator works or volunteers at an elementary or secondary private or public school and is 4 years older than the victim, and the victim is a student or a participant in a school activity.

Sexual assault in the second degree also takes place if someone subjects another to the following:

Sexual intrusion or sexual contact, where the actor is a health care provider and the crime is committed while providing physical or mental diagnosis, treatment, or care to the victim.
Sexual contact involving serious bodily injury to the victim under the conditions described in the "sexual assault in the first degree" and "sexual assault in the second degree" subsections above.

Third-degree sexual assault (W.S 6-2-302): A person commits this offense if they subject another to sexual contact under the circumstances described as "sexual assault in the first degree" and "sexual assault in the second degree," and there was no element of sexual intrusion nor did the victim suffer serious bodily injury.

Penalties for sexual assault: For a conviction of sexual assault, an offender will incur the following:
- Sexual assault in the first degree - Imprisonment not below 5 years but not above 50 years.
- Sexual assault in the second degree - Imprisonment not below 2 years but not above 50 years.
- Sexual assault in the third degree - Imprisonment not above 15 years.

However, if the perpetrator has one prior conviction for sexual assault or an equivalent/similar crime, the punishment is thus:

First or second-degree sexual assault: Incarceration not below 25 years or for life
Third-degree sexual assault: Incarceration for not more than 20 years

Repeat offenders with two or more prior convictions for sexual assault or sexual abuse of a minor will be imprisoned for life without parole.

Sexual battery (W.S 6-2-313): Anyone who unlawfully subjects another individual to sexual contact commits sexual battery, provided the crime did not occur under conditions constituting:

1st, 2nd, or 3rd-degree sexual assault;
1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th-degree sexual abuse of a minor; or
Aggravated assault and battery.

In Wyoming, sexual battery is a misdemeanor. Offenders are subject to a fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment of up to a year, or both.

First-degree sexual abuse of a minor (W.S 6-2-314): This crime occurs under the following circumstances:

When someone who is 16 years of age or older inflicts sexual intrusion on another who is less than 13 years of age
When a person who is 18 years of age or older inflicts sexual intrusion on another who is less than 18 years of age, and such a person is the victim's legal guardian, parent, or others specified in W.S. 6-4-402.
If a person who is 18 years or older inflicts sexual intrusion on someone below 16 years of age, and such a person holds a position of authority over the victim.

A person convicted of this crime is subject to incarceration for up to 50 years unless the person is a repeat offender. However, if the perpetrator is at least 21 years old, the prison term is from 25 years to 50 years unless the individual is a repeat offender.

Second-degree sexual abuse of a minor (W.S 6-2-315): This offense occurs under the following circumstances:

When someone who is 17 years of age or older inflicts sexual intrusion on another who is 13 through 15 years of age, and the victim is at least 4 years younger than the perpetrator.
When someone who is 16 years of age or older has sexual contact with a person less than 13 years old.
When an individual who is 18 years of age or older engages in sexual contact with a person less than 13 years old, and the individual is the victim's legal guardian, parent, or others indicated in W.S. 6-4-402 (Wyoming’s "incest" statute).
If a person who is 18 years or older has sexual contact with someone who is below 16 years of age, and such a person holds a position of authority over the victim.

The penalty for this crime is a prison sentence of not more than 20 years unless the offender has a prior conviction.

Third-degree sexual abuse of a minor (W.S 6-2-316): Sexual abuse of a minor is said to be in the third degree when:

The perpetrator is 17 years of age or older and engages in sexual contact with someone who is 13 to 15 years of age, and the victim is at least 4 years younger than the perpetrator.
The perpetrator is 20 years of age or older and engages in sexual intrusion with someone who is 16 or 17 years of age, and the victim is at least 4 years younger than the perpetrator. Here, the perpetrator also holds a position of authority over the victim.
The perpetrator is below 16 years of age and inflicts sexual intrusion on someone below 13 years of age, and the victim is at least 3 years younger than the perpetrator.
The perpetrator is 17 years of age or older and intentionally takes immoral, immodest, or indecent liberties with someone who is less than 17 years old and at least 4 years younger.

The penalty for sexual abuse in the third degree is a prison sentence not exceeding 15 years.

Fourth-degree sexual abuse of a minor (W.S 6-2-317): A person commits this crime when:

Being below 16 years of age, the individual partakes in sexual contact with someone below 13 years of age and at least 3 years younger.
Being 20 years of age or more, the individual engages in sexual contact with someone who is 16 or 17 years and at least 4 years younger, and the individual holds a position of authority over the victim.

When convicted of such an offense, the offender can spend up to 5 years in prison.

Soliciting to engage in illicit sexual relations (W.S 6-2-318): This crime occurs when, under the circumstances not constituting sexual assault in the first, second, or third degree or sexual abuse of a minor in the first, second, third, or fourth degree, an individual who is at least 18 years old does this:

Solicits, procures, or purposefully encourages someone less than 14 years old, or purported to be under 14 years of age, to engage in sexual intrusion.

This offense is a felony punishable by a prison term not exceeding 5 years.

Types of Sex Offenders in Wyoming

Although some U.S. states group sex offenders into levels or tiers reflective of the gravity of a crime and the community notification required, Wyoming does use this tiering model. Instead, people convicted of sex offenses are referred to as adult or juvenile sex offenders.

How to Find a Sex Offender Near Me in Wyoming

Any interested person can find a sex offender living in their neighborhood without spending too much effort or having to visit a local law enforcement agency. Per W.S 7-19-303, the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is required to maintain an up-to-date registry that can be accessed via mobile or web by any member of the public.

Note that it is not possible to look up juvenile offenders on the database, as it is illegal for the DCI to divulge such information on a public site.

Furthermore, if looking up a non-Wyoming sex offender, rather than searching Wyoming's central registry, a better option is to search the National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW).

Moreover, contacting or visiting a local sheriff's office can yield sex offender records, especially if the sex offender in question is a juvenile. Some sheriffs (e.g., the Natrona County Sheriff) may also publish records of adult sex offenders on their official websites.

Interested members of the public may also obtain public record information from third-party websites. These privately owned sites typically host data culled from public databases and repositories. However, the information available on third-party sites may vary since they are independent of government sources. In order to use a third-party site, record seekers may be required to provide all or some of the following information:

The full name on the record of choice
The last known or current address of the named individual
The address of the requestor

Wyoming Sex Offender Registry

The Wyoming Sex Offender Registration Act (W.S 7-19-301 through 7-19-308) enacted in 1994 created the Sex Offender Registry, a web portal accessible to the public at no cost. With the registry, individuals can find out if someone is a sex offender or if such offenders are living near them. By allowing the public to inspect sex offender records, it is the belief that they can better protect themselves and their families from victimization. However, a person can become open to criminal prosecution or civil liability if they use information obtained from the registry to harass any individual, including the offenders themselves or their families.

As previously mentioned, the Division of Criminal Investigation maintains the registry, which can be accessed through the agency's website. Follow these steps to search the registry:

Go to the site.
Accept the terms and conditions.
Select the "Click Here To Search For Offenders In Your Area" tab.
Select the preferred search option. The available options for searching the registry are thus:
- By the offender's last or first name
- Within a specified radius of one's home, school, or business
- By the offender's city of residence
- By if the offender is non-compliant
- By internet names or email addresses
- By phone number

Individuals can also browse a list of published and incarcerated offenders, sign up to receive email alerts when an offender moves near one's address (or create email alerts for a specific offender), or submit a tip or correction for an offender.

Regardless of the search option used, the system will return the following results about an offender:

Photograph
Name
Address
Resident city
Zip

Clicking on an offender's name or "view details" will provide more sex offender information, such as:

Aliases
Other known addresses (including work, school, volunteer, and other home addresses)
Physical description (age, sex, race, hair color, eye color, height, weight, date of birth, and place of birth)
Registration number
Offender status (e.g., active, inactive, incarcerated)
Last verification date
Registration start date
If the offender is a lifetime registrant or not.
Offenses for which convicted (including the conviction date, offense description, conviction state, and release date)
Vehicles (license plate number, make, model, year, and color)

Interested members of the public may also obtain public record information from third party websites. These privately owned sites typically host data culled from public databases and repositories. However, the information available on third-party sites may vary since they are independent of government sources. To use a third-party site, record seekers may be required to provide all of some of the following information:

The full name on the record of choice
The last known or current address of the named individual
The address of the requestor

What Happens When You Register as a Sex Offender in Wyoming?

According to the 2020 Wyoming Sex Offender Registry Annual Report, there were 2160 registered offenders in Wyoming by the end of 2020.

Registering as a sex offender in Wyoming comes with some significant life changes and restrictions. Generally, sex offenders convicted of certain crimes in Wyoming remain registered for life and are required to keep their information current with local sheriff offices. This information includes their names and aliases, date and place of birth, the offense for which they were convicted, date and place of conviction, social security number, photograph, place of employment, vehicle information, etc.

Crimes that mandate registration upon conviction (known as "registrable offenses") are outlined in W.S. 7-19-302(g), (h), and (j), and include:

Sexual abuse of a minor (third-degree):
1. If the perpetrator is 17 years or older and the victim is 13 through 15 years of age (and at least 4 years younger than the perpetrator).
2. If the perpetrator is 17 years or older and intentionally takes immodest, immoral, or indecent liberties with someone who is less than 17 years old (and at least 4 years younger).
Sex exploitation of children; possession of child pornography
Misleading domain names (18 U.S.C. § 2252B)
Misleading words/digital images on the internet (18 U.S.C. § 2252C)
Voyeurism, if the victim is a minor and:
1. The offender intentionally captures their image using a camera, video camera, or other image recording device.
2. The offender uses a camera, video camera, or other image recording device to observe, film, view, or videotape the minor under the cloth without consent.
Sexual assault (third-degree), where the victim is at least 14 years old.
Sexual abuse of a minor (first degree):
- If the offender is 16 years of age or older and inflicts sexual intrusion on a minor less than 13 years of age.
- If the offender is 18 years or older and inflicts sexual intrusion on someone below 16 years of age, and the offender holds a position of authority over the victim.
Promoting obscenity, if a minor was used to perform the act
The kidnap of a minor
Incest

The type of offense determines how frequently a person is required to update their information (registered address) with law enforcement agencies. Wyoming uses three intervals: annually, biannually, and quarterly. For instance, individuals convicted of sections (1) to (5) above are required to verify their addresses annually by visiting their local sheriff's office. However, if the offender is transient (homeless), verification is weekly.

Also, any changes to one's residence or county must be reported within 3 working days to the applicable sheriff's office. If moving to a new county or state to establish residence, the offender must inform both the new and former county sheriffs or relevant law enforcement agencies. Furthermore, the law required sex offenders to update their photographs annually or more frequently if they often change their appearance. For further reading, Wyoming's verification periods and requirements can be found in W.S. 7-19-302(g), (h), and (j).

In Wyoming, offenders who intentionally fail to perform their duty to register, update their information at specified intervals, or pay fees as required incur further criminal liabilities:

For the first failure to register, the offender is guilty of a felony and subject to imprisonment for 5 years or less, a fine reaching $1,000, or both.
For a subsequent violation, the offender is guilty of a felony. This offense is punishable by a fine of $1,000, imprisonment for up to 10 years, or both.

However, if the offender willfully fails to pay a fine, the charge is a misdemeanor. A convicted individual will incur a fine of up to $750, jail for 6 months or less, or both.

In addition to the duty to register, Wyoming bans adult registered sex offenders from being or living within 1,000 feet of an educational facility (W.S. 6-2-320). Also, they cannot physically be in any school vehicle used to transport children under 18 years of age. The state, however, does not restrict offenders from using or accessing social networking sites, instant messaging, or chat rooms. Neither does Wyoming limit where offenders can work.

According to W.S. 7-19-304, offenders convicted of offenses in W.S. 7-19-302(g) and (j) can petition a local district court for relief from the duty to register after continuous registration for at least 10 years. Whereas offenders specified in W.S. 7-19-302(h) can do so after being registered for at least 25 years. However, any offender who seeks this relief must prove that during those years, they maintained a clean record:

They had no new sex convictions.
They did not receive a conviction for any offense with a prison term of over 1 year.
They completed their probation, parole, or other forms of supervised release.
They completed any sex offender treatment that the court or a probation/parole agent ordered.