Trials set for 4 in hunting-camp confrontation

Joy Ufford, jufford@pinedaleroundup.com
Posted 1/27/21

Charges stem from October altercation.

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Trials set for 4 in hunting-camp confrontation

Posted

SUBLETTE COUNTY – Four Sweetwater County men charged with assault and pointing rifles at a Big Piney family during last hunting season each have trials set for June 8 in Sublette County Circuit Court.

The trial dates are stacked – meaning each one is separately scheduled for the same day. However, the Sublette County Attorney’s Office has filed a motion asking Judge Curt Haws to join the four cases be joined, court records show.

Jonathan Crooks, Phillip Peterson, Casey Trujillo and Adam Angelovic each pleaded not guilty to their misdemeanor charges during a Jan. 19 videoconference arraignment.

The four and others were hunting together on Oct. 18, 2020, when a confrontation occurred that resulted in numerous misdemeanor charges.

Angelovic faces three misdemeanors – stalking to harass or threaten, battery and criminal entry into a vehicle. He allegedly hit Lowell T. Hunt, of Big Piney, through his truck window, records show.

Trujillo is charged with misdemeanors of stalking, unlawful contact and false imprisonment.

Peterson is charged with unlawful contact and false imprisonment for willfully restraining Hunt during the hunting season confrontation. He is also charged with four counts of reckless endangering for pointing a gun in the direction of Hunt, his wife, stepdaughter and a child.

Crooks faces four misdemeanors counts of reckless endangering with a firearm.

Judge Haws set each defendant’s unsecured appearance bond at $2,000; they are to have no contact with Hunt or his family.

Crooks and his wife were with the group of out-of-town hunters that included Trujillo, Angelovic and Peterson, who allegedly stopped, confronted, harassed and tried to fight Hunt and three family members in his truck on Oct. 18.

Angelovic and Hunt argued last July after Hunt threatened to “take care of” two dogs running loose through his camp near Apperson Creek. The dogs belonged to Angelovic.

The men allegedly drove through Hunt’s hunting camp, then chased after him when he drove around two of their trucks blocking Middle Piney and Dry Piney roads.

When Hunt drove past, five men tried to pull him out. His family pulled to keep him in the truck and the incident was recorded on phones, according to the deputy’s affidavit.

Hunt said he had an earlier confrontation in July with Angelovic after his dogs ran loose through Hunt’s camp.