Wyoming man who injured wolf, taped its mouth shut and then killed it receives probation

• 01Cody Roberts, 44, was sentenced to 18 months probation by Judge Richard Lavery in Pinedale, Wyoming on Wednesday for hitting a gray wolf with a snowmobile, taping its mouth shut, bringing it to a bar, and killing it.
• 02The sentencing included a $1,000 fine and restrictions barring Roberts from drinking alcohol, entering bars or liquor stores, and hunting or fishing during the probation period.
• 03Roberts pleaded guilty following a plea agreement struck with prosecutors in February, avoiding a potential sentence of up to two years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
• 04At a March hearing, Roberts expressed remorse and apologized to his family and community.
• 05Judge Lavery stated during sentencing: 'I have to be honest with you, the charge in this case is disturbing.'
• 06Sublette county prosecutor Clayton Melinkovich said the state considers the sentence appropriate, noting that animal cruelty is designated by the legislature as a nonviolent offense.
• 07The incident occurred in February 2024 in Daniel, Wyoming, and Roberts initially received only a minor citation and a fine of a few hundred dollars for illegally possessing the wolf.
• 08Photos circulated showing the wolf with tape around its mouth, and video footage showed the animal on the floor still alive but barely moving.

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Cody Roberts, a Wyoming hunter, was sentenced to 18 months probation, a $1,000 fine, and restrictions on hunting and alcohol consumption after pleading guilty to hitting a gray wolf with a snowmobile, restraining it with tape, photographing it at a bar, and killing it in February 2024. Judge Richard Lavery called the charge disturbing, and prosecutor Clayton Melinkovich defended the sentence as appropriate under state law, which classifies animal cruelty as a nonviolent offense. Roberts initially faced only a minor citation before the case escalated following public attention to photos and videos of the incident.