All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
(Fremont County, WY) – The sentencing hearing for 29-year-old Patrick Brown has been scheduled for September 4, 2025, following a change of plea, according to recently filed court documents.
Brown was originally charged with felony kidnapping and felony child abuse after a February 9 incident where he was reported to have stolen a vehicle that was left running outside of a Riverton residence while the vehicle owner was unloading items into their home. An infant child was still in the vehicle when it was stolen, and court documents state Brown went on to abandon the vehicle with the baby still inside later that evening on a dark road in cold temperatures.
Brown pled “not guilty” to the charges back in April, and a jury trial was set for July 21. However, a plea agreement was filed on his behalf on June 19, which stipulated that Brown would plead “guilty” to the felony kidnapping (removal) charge, as per the third amended information document, which did not include the felony child abuse charge.
The plea agreement also stipulated that Brown would be sentenced to no less than eight, no more than 10 years of imprisonment. The maximum penalty for a felony kidnapping (removal) charge is 20 years imprisonment.
The plea agreement also indicated that the parties will request the court to recommend Brown to the Youthful Offender Treatment Program.
The court will decide to accept or reject the plea at the September 4 sentencing hearing, which is set to be overseen by the Honorable Judge Jason Conder.
County 10 will provide updates on the case as they become available, which can be viewed here.