Editor's note: Due to the graphic nature of these particular cases and a need to protect the victim's identity, even the redacted court documents supporting the charges will not be published.
Green River City Councilman Allan Wilson is accused of sexually abusing a minor, according to court documents from two counties.
He was arrested last week for a charge stemming out of Lincoln County and one charge in Sweetwater County.
A detention officer confirmed that Wilson was in the Sweetwater County Detention Center last week, even though his name did not appear on the jail roster. He is currently out on bond.
According to Sweetwater County Sheriff's Office detective and public information officer Dick Blust Jr., names are omitted from the jail roster if the inmate is a juvenile or if they have been charged with a felony sexual-assault related charge. He said in a sexual-assault related case, the name will not appear on the jail roster until the person is bound over to Third District Court.
A redacted court document obtained from the Circuit Court in Lincoln County, states that A.W. is waiting to be charged with first-degree sexual abuse of a minor. The charge stems from an incident that happened sometime between April 29-Sept.1 of 2011. The charge is for alleged inflicted sexual intrusion on someone less than 18 years old. The maximum penalty for this charge is 50 years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000.
A circuit court employee at the Rock Springs Circuit Court office confirmed Allan Wilson does have charges filed against him in that court.
A redacted court document obtained from the Circuit Court in Rock Springs, states A.D.W., is waiting to be charged with second-degree sexual abuse of a minor. The charge stems from an incident that happened sometime between late spring and the summer of 2013. The charge is for engaging in alleged sexual conduct with a person under the age of 13. The maximum penalty is 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000.
His initial appearance hearing was scheduled to take place in the Rock Springs Circuit Court Tuesday, however, the hearing was continued. At this point, the court is still trying to determine if the hearing will be "Sealed." According to court documents, "Cases involving sexual-assault charges shall be marked 'sealed' in the court's docket management system until such time as the case is bound over to District Court."
Remains on city council
The charges Wilson face also raises questions about what situations can cause the Green River City Council to declare a vacant position and what is done to fill it.
There are both city ordinances and state statutes governing how the Green River City Council can declare a vacancy and replace a Council member.
According to Wyoming Statute 15-1-107, a vacancy can be announced if a Council member fails the residency requirements for the ward that person was elected to represent.
A vacancy can also be declared if the Council member is convicted of a felony charge or does not attend four consecutive, regularly scheduled meetings without an excused absence determined by a majority of the Council. In Wilson's case, should he not attend future Council meetings, his seat can be declared vacant after the March 6 meeting and they cannot force him from the Council due to the charges. However, the Council could declare the vacancy if Wilson enters a guilty or no contest plea to his charges.
According to the statue, if a vacancy is determined to exist, the Council must then appoint a replacement to serve as successor until the next municipal election, where a replacement is elected to fulfill the unexpired term. Wilson's term is set to expire at the end of the year and a replacement would only represent his ward for the remainder of 2018 should they decide not to campaign for his Council seat or are defeated in the upcoming elections.
City Attorney Galen West declined to comment for this article.
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