Torrington, Wyo. (Story by Denise Heilbrun-Ellis) April 29, 2021 — Christine Evans, 36, took a plea deal offered by the state, pleading guilty to the charge of felony possession of a controlled substance (cocaine) with intent to deliver, in Eighth Judicial Court in Torrington.

She was sentenced in court on Monday of this week by the Honorable Judge Patrick Korell.
She was initially charged with two counts of felony possession of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, possession with intent to deliver heroin, possession with intent to deliver cocaine, possession with intent to deliver alprazolam, and two misdemeanor counts of possession of controlled substance, a count of DWUS. Evans was stopped on Aug. 2, 2020, for a speeding violation.
Evans was stopped on Aug. 2, 2020, for a speeding violation.
Goshen County Assistant District Attorney Zach Leininger told Korell the maximum penalty for the charge is 10 years’ incarceration. He said Evans has a long history of substance abuse, and that this is her fourth felony conviction stemming from substance abuse. Leininger requested a three-seven-year sentence and any fines incurred.
He added that the pre-sentence investigation (PSI) did recommend she receive a level 2.1 outpatient treatment.
Evans public attorney David McDonald told the court that considering her criminal history with addictive issues, that Evans has never went through rehabilitation. He added that she has a bachelor’s degree and that “she is not dumb.”  He said she has substance abuse issues and that has led to where she is today. McDonald pushed for intensive rehabilitation for Evans, as she needs help for what has put her here.
“As the PSI said, she has advanced education, does have a solid work history,” he said. “This sort of thing that takes down that education and is atypical – something’s got a hold of her that’s stronger than her.”
Korell said that it appeared she has a higher education and was valedictorian of her class, plus she had taken responsibility of pleading guilty, plus her statements at the time of arrest.
But on the other hand, he stated that possession of intent to deliver speaks more than a person’s individual intention but includes other people.
Officers report said she had deep knowledge of activity of drug dealers, he added. And the PSI report said Evans had an addiction to selling drugs, on top of using them.
Korell sentenced Evans to three-seven years in the Wyoming Women’s Center in Lusk with credit for days served, with an Intensive Treatment Center being added hopefully on-site, he wants her to get the treatment she needs while serving her sentence.