Executive Summary
- Damion Loneman Jr. pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter in federal court on January 6.
- The charges stem from a fatal November 2024 drunk driving incident on the Wind River Reservation.
- Sentencing is scheduled for April 2, with a maximum potential prison term of six years.
A Fremont County man is scheduled for sentencing in federal court this April after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter stemming from a fatal drunk driving incident on the Wind River Reservation. Damion Loneman Jr. appeared before a federal judge in Casper on January 6 to change his plea, vacating a jury trial that had been set for later this month.
According to updated federal court filings, the sentencing hearing has been scheduled for April 2. Loneman was originally charged with involuntary manslaughter and two counts of assault resulting in serious bodily injury, one of which involved a minor. The indictment states that the incident occurred in November 2024, alleging that Loneman caused the death of a victim while operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol with "wanton and reckless disregard for human life."
Court records indicate that a nonpublic plea agreement was filed on December 22, facilitating the change of plea. The maximum statutory penalty for the involuntary manslaughter conviction includes six years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.
Legal Ramifications
The resolution of this case via a plea agreement shifts the judicial focus to the application of federal sentencing guidelines. As the incident occurred within the boundaries of the Wind River Reservation, the proceedings remain under federal jurisdiction, which mandates specific statutory limits on incarceration and post-release supervision. It is important to note that regarding all initial charges and allegations detailed in the indictment, all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
