All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
(Fremont County, WY) – Kevin Mendibles pled “guilty” to first degree murder at his change of plea hearing held today, November 26, before the Honorable Judge Kelly H. Rankin in the U.S. District Court of Cheyenne.
A sentencing hearing has been set for February 19, 2025.
Mendibles was charged back in May in relation to the fatal stabbing that occurred on the Wind River Reservation on February 25, which resulted in the death of 37-year-old Inez Whiteman.
A jury trial was originally set for September 30 after Mendibles pled “not guilty,” but was later reset for December 16 following the acceptance of a motion to continue the trial due to difficulty obtaining “transient” witness statements and the need for more time for the Defense/Defendent to review discovery.
On November 5, a non-public plea agreement was filed on Mendibles’ behalf, and the subsequent November 26 change of plea hearing was set. The stipulations of the plea agreement remain unavailable for public viewing at this time.
Mendibles remains detained according to today’s court filings, which also informed of the February 19, 2025 sentencing hearing.
A murder in the first degree felony charge holds a maximum sentence of mandatory life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and 5 years of supervised release.
County 10 will provide updates on the case as they become available, which can be viewed here.