All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
(Fremont County, WY) – The jury trial for 32-year-old Crowheart resident Quinlan (James) Hernandez has been set for August 26, before the Honorable Judge Scott W. Skavdahl.
Hernandez has specifically been charged with four Counts of aggravated sexual abuse, two Counts of sexual abuse and three Counts of sexual abuse of a minor.
On April 13, 2024 the FBI was notified by the Wind River Police Department that a 14-year-old juvenile who was reported missing since April 10 had been located at Hernandez’s residence in Crowheart, according to federal Court documents that were filed/sealed on April 26 and later made publically available after his detainment.
The victim was able to be located after she texted a location pin to a family member, and later advised that Hernandez sexually assaulted her.
The victim told agents that she snuck out of her house on April 10 to hang out with her friend, another juvenile.
Hernandez reportedly picked up the two minors in his vehicle, which was also occupied by two other minors, and then drove them all back to his residence in Crowheart where they drank whiskey that Hernandez had purchased.
The victim went on to say that the next day, Hernandez became angry when he tried to kiss her and she declined.
Hernandez then put the victim in a “choke hold, causing her to nearly lose consciousness,” and later sexually assaulted her while she was intoxicated.
The victim then informed law enforcement that Hernandez assaulted her a second time the following day.
Hernandez was later interviewed on April 23, at which point he admitted to bringing the minors back to his residence.
Hernandez initially denied that the minors were drinking, or that he had sexually assaulted the victim, but eventually admitted to both, and that he had choked the victim.
Hernandez was later arraigned on July 11, where he pled “not guilty” to all nine Counts, and was ultimately detained.
Hernandez’s jury trial is scheduled to begin on August 26.
Hernandez faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, up to $2,250,000 in fines, five years-to-life of supervised release, $45,000 in special assessment fees for the Justice Victims of Trafficking Act and $900 in other special assessment fees.
County 10 will provide updates on the case as they become available, which can be viewed here.