Nomis sentencing delayed

A Monday hearing to sentence Stephanie Nomis for her part in the embezzlement of Green River Fire Department Foundation funds was continued after Nomis said she did not recall receiving a copy of her pre-sentence investigation.

A new hearing date was not set as of press time.

The hearing took place before District Court Judge Suzannah Robinson Monday morning and progressed until the judge asked if Nomis received a copy of her pre-sentence investigation.

She said she didn’t remember receiving it. According to her attorney, Gary Arnell, records showed the report was sent to the Nomis household on Keith Street, but Nomis said she didn’t recall seeing it, resulting in the hearing being continued. Under Wyoming statutes a person has the right to receive and review a copy of the pre-sentence investigation report at least 10 days before their sentencing hearing.

Nomis previously pleaded guilty to a charge of felony theft through a plea agreement offered by the Sweetwater County Attorney’s Office.

That original deal, which was withdrawn by the county attorney’s office, would have sentenced Nomis to a suspended prison term of between four and six years at the Wyoming Women’s Center in Lusk and a six-month split sentence in the Sweetwater County Detention Center, with Nomis receiving the opportunity to argue for probation during an argued sentencing hearing.

She would also have to pay back $42,178.25 to the Green River Fire Department Foundation, as well as pay assorted court fees.

However, she was arrested for alleged unlawful possession of a controlled substance in pill or capsule form of less than 3 grams in October, which resulted in that initial agreement being withdrawn.

Nomis’ plea agreement practically guarantees time in Lusk, with the sentence recommended to be between two and six years, in addition to paying restitution to the fire department’s foundation. However, Robinson has the final say in what Nomis’ sentence will be and can decide a different sentence if she believes it to be more fitting to the situation.

Nomis’ husband, former chief of the Green River Fire Department, was previous sentenced for his role in the embezzlement.

He was sentenced to between three and seven years in the Wyoming Penitentiary, along with having to pay $60,304.74 in restitution to the fire department’s foundation.