by Update: 4/8/26
Cody Roberts was sentenced this morning at 9 a.m. MT in Sublette County, Wyoming, after pleading guilty to felony animal cruelty for killing a gray wolf. Roberts injured the wolf by running it down with a snowmobile, an act that sparked national outrage. He then transported the injured animal to a bar, taped its mouth shut to take photographs, and ultimately shot it to death in the back of the bar.
WAN spoke with Jacob Just, Communications Director for the Wyoming Judicial Branch, this morning. He stated that the sentencing lasted approximately 30 to 45 minutes. The change of plea hearing had taken place in March, and the judge followed the plea agreement negotiated between Roberts’ legal team and the county attorney. Local media in Wyoming were also present in the courtroom for the sentencing.
WAN spoke with the Sublette County Attorney’s Office who stated that Roberts was sentenced to 18 to 24 months of incarceration, which was suspended. Instead, he will serve 18 months of supervised probation, during which he must report regularly to his probation officer and is subject to alcohol testing. His total fine was $5,000, with $4,000 suspended, leaving him responsible for $1,000.
Key conditions of his probation include:
- No hunting or fishing
- No alcohol consumption
- Compliance with all laws
If Roberts violates any terms of his probation, he will be sentenced to serve the original incarceration term in prison.
The presiding judge in the case was Richard Lavery.
“Although Roberts was sentenced to probation rather than serving his full prison term, this ruling is an important step for Wyoming to implement stronger protections for wildlife. Felony animal cruelty and the killing of innocent wildlife will not be tolerated. We must pass and enforce stricter laws and continue fighting tirelessly to give animals a voice and prevent future acts of cruelty and killing,” stated Katie Cleary, president and founder of WAN and Peace 4 Animals.
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Update: 3/5/26
Cody Roberts, a Wyoming man who sparked global outrage after running down a wolf with a snowmobile, capturing it while injured, and bringing it to a bar where the animal was later shot and killed, has pleaded guilty to felony animal cruelty.
In a Sweetwater County courtroom Thursday morning, Roberts apologized for his actions and the effect they have had on his family. He had initially pleaded not guilty but later changed his plea to guilty under the terms of a negotiated agreement.
Sweetwater County District Court Judge Richard Lavery said he will review the plea agreement before deciding whether to accept it. A pre-sentence investigation has been ordered, and the judge will determine Roberts’ sentence at a later hearing once the report is complete.
Under the proposed plea deal, Roberts would pay a $1,000 fine and serve 18 months of probation. During this period, he would be prohibited from drinking alcohol, entering bars or liquor stores, carrying a firearm, and from hunting or fishing. Any violation could result in him serving up to two years in prison.
Prosecutors emphasized that the case was supported by extensive evidence, including witness statements, photos, videos, and other documentation. The incident has drawn widespread public attention and intensified calls for stronger wildlife protections in Wyoming, particularly for wolves and the enforcement of animal cruelty laws.
Animal advocates welcomed the guilty plea but warned that it highlights serious weaknesses in Wyoming’s conservation and animal welfare policies. Many stressed the need to prevent similar acts of violence against wildlife in the future, a responsibility Wyoming must enforce and take seriously.
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Update: 2/25/26
Cody Roberts, a Wyoming man at the center of a widely condemned case involving the torture and killing of a gray wolf has reached a plea agreement that could allow him to avoid prison time.
According to court filings in Sublette County District Court, Roberts is expected to withdraw his earlier not guilty plea and enter a plea of guilty or no contest to a felony animal cruelty charge. The agreement must still be approved by a judge.
Under the terms of the deal, Roberts faces a potential prison sentence of 18 to 24 months, but that term would be suspended if he successfully completes 18 months of supervised probation and pays a $1,000 fine.
As part of his probation, Roberts would be subject to a number of conditions, including:
- A ban on hunting and fishing
- Prohibition on consuming alcohol or entering bars or liquor establishments
- Mandatory compliance with recommended addiction treatment
Additional standard probation requirements may also be imposed at the court’s discretion.
If Roberts violates his probation, the suspended prison sentence could be activated, meaning he could serve up to two years behind bars and face additional fines of up to $4,000.
The plea agreement gives the judge a choice: if the judge refuses to accept it, Roberts would be permitted to withdraw his plea and could either go to trial or seek a different deal.
The case ignited worldwide outrage after video footage surfaced showing a gray wolf being tortured, which Roberts took to the back of a bar and shot dead. Wildlife advocates and animal welfare organizations denounced the barbaric act, demanding that Roberts face the full force of the law.
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Update: 2/12/26
The felony animal cruelty case against Cody Roberts heads to trial after no plea agreement was reached by the judge’s court-imposed deadline.
According to Wyoming Wildlife Advocates, yesterday was the judge’s deadline for a plea deal. The judge signaled they wouldn’t move forward with jury selection or other trial proceedings if a deal was still on the table.
With no agreement reached, Roberts will now face trial as scheduled.
Jury proceedings are set to begin on March 9th at 9:00 a.m. at the Sublette County District Court in Pinedale, Wyoming.
The case stems from the torture and brutal killing of a female gray wolf, an incident that sparked national outrage and intensified calls for stronger protections for wildlife.
WAN will continue to provide updates as the trial unfolds.
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Update: 2/3/26
Judge Richard L. Lavery has DENIED the defense’s motion to dismiss the felony animal cruelty charge against Cody J. Roberts, meaning the charge will stand and the prosecution will move forward, according to Wyoming Wildlife Advocates.
Roberts’ attorney had argued the felony charge should be thrown out, but Judge Lavery rejected that claim, finding there is sufficient evidence for the prosecution to pursue the case.
With the motion denied, the clock is now ticking: there are eight days remaining for a plea deal. If no agreement is reached, the case is scheduled to proceed to trial on March 9, 2026, in Sublette County District Court.
The court is still awaiting a ruling on whether Kenneth Mills, lead wolf biologist with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, will be allowed to testify as an expert witness, a decision that could be crucial in presenting scientific evidence at trial.
This felony case stems from Roberts’ alleged torture and killing of a female wolf in February 2024, an act that sparked nationwide outrage after photos and video of the injured animal circulated online.
WAN will continue to closely track this case and provide updates as the legal process unfolds.
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Update: 1/29/26
A Wyoming judge has reserved the judgement to dismiss the felony animal cruelty charge against Cody Roberts for allegedly torturing and killing a female wolf in Wyoming, keeping the case on track for a jury trial.
On January 28, 2026, Sweetwater County District Court Judge Richard Lavery heard arguments on the defense’s motion to dismiss Robert’s case. The defense argued that Wyoming law allows predators to be killed “in any manner,” claiming the statute exempted Roberts’ actions from animal cruelty laws.
Judge Lavery took the matter under advisement and did not issue an immediate ruling. No motions were granted, and the felony animal cruelty charge remains pending.
During the hearing, Judge Lavery expressed skepticism toward the defense’s interpretation, stating that fully exempting predators from cruelty laws “seems a bridge too far.”
The court also addressed disputes over expert testimony. Prosecutors plan to call wolf biologist Kenneth Mills to testify about normal wolf behavior, which they say is relevant to whether the animal suffered while restrained inside a bar. The defense is seeking to exclude the testimony, arguing it is opinion-based and outside Mills’ specific expertise.
Roberts’ legal team continues to rely on Wyoming State Statute 6-3-1008, which permits predators to be killed “in any manner.” Prosecutors argue the case is not about hunting, but about the treatment of a live animal while under human control.
Potential jury selection could begin on February 12, 2026, with a five-day trial possibly starting on March 9. Around 100 potential jurors are expected to be summoned.
World Animal News will continue to provide updates as the case proceeds.
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