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CASPER, Wyo. — A Gillette man pulled over on Interstate 25 last summer with almost two pounds of methamphetamine in his Volkswagen bug was convicted by a federal jury on Wednesday, April 30, according to a release by the U.S. Justice Department.
Wade Earl Schear, 41, was formally charged with possession of more than 500 grams of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. The trial lasted nearly three days and was held before U.S. District Court Judge Kelly H Rankin.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation Central Enforcement Team began an investigation into the possession, transportation, and distribution of controlled substances in Natrona County.
During the investigation, Schear was identified as a person of interest.
On June 22, 2024, the Platte County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop near Chugwater on a VW Bug driven by Schear. The deputy noted that vehicle was travelling about 20-30 mph and emitting a large amount of diesel smoke, according to the charging document.
Deputies searched the vehicle after K9 Toro alerted to the presence of controlled substances. Deputies located approximately two pounds of methamphetamine hidden in a backpack that also contained multiple cell phones, over $800 in cash and Schear’s personal belongings.
Trial evidence indicated Schear traveled several times from Wyoming to Colorado to obtain large quantities of methamphetamine for distribution in Wyoming.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 17. Schear faces a minimum of 10 years up to life imprisonment, followed by at least five years to life of supervised release, a $10 million fine, and a $100 special assessment.
Shear has had previous criminal convictions for drug and firearms crimes, according to federal court records. In 2008, Wyoming U.S. District Court Judge William Downs sentenced Shear to two years, seven months’ imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and a consecutive five years for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
In 2015, Shear, then 32 of Cheyenne, was sentenced by Wyoming U.S. District Court Judge Nancy D. Freudenthal for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. He received five years’ imprisonment to be followed by four years of probation, and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment.
The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation Central Enforcement Team and the Platte County Sheriff’s Office investigated the crime. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mackenzie R. Morrison and Eric Heimann prosecuted the case.
