Booking Photos From Sweetwater County Detention Center
While executing a high risk search warrant in Green River last Thursday, members of the Sweetwater County Joint SWAT team broke a window and utilized a flash bang distraction device at the wrong address.
A joint release from the Green River Police Department, Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office acknowledged the incident, which occurred on Thursday, March 3, 2016.
Lieutenant Tom Jarvie, with the Green River Police Department says there is no excuse for the mistake. Despite those serving the search warrant being provided with a photo of the correct house during a briefing, a window was broken at the wrong address and a flash bang distraction device was detonated outside of the home.
“In the end, it’s a mistake that should not have been made,” said Jarvie. “I don’t want to minimize our responsibility to be at the right place at the right time because that is our responsibility regardless of what the circumstances were.”
The search warrant was issued for 355 Fir Street in Green River. Jarvie said the home some members of the SWAT Team went to was located “in a similar position on an adjacent street.”
Jarvie said a family was home during the incident but did not comment on how many people were in the residence or their ages. No one was injured as a result of the mistake.
Jarvie said those who went to the wrong home realized within seconds that they were at the wrong residence and made contact with the homeowners. Law enforcement ensured that repairs were made to secure the home the same night, and the Green River Police Department will pay for all repairs, Jarvie said.
The search warrant executed at 355 Fir Street was considered high risk because those inside the home were believed to be armed and in possession of controlled substances. The search resulted in multiple arrests.
The following people were listed as having been arrested during the incident in the Green River Police Department’s daily report:
Cody Ortega, 33 of Green River, was arrested on an active warrant for alleged failure to comply with a child support order.
Andrea Root, 40 of Granger, was arrested on an active warrant for alleged failure to abide by conditions of probation on original charges of driving while under the influence of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance.
Christopher Kersey, 35 of Green River, was arrested on an active warrant for alleged failure to appear for a hearing on an original charge of public intoxication (3rd offense).
Frederick Wilkening, 46 of Rock Springs, was arrested on an active warrant for alleged failure to abide by bond conditions on an original charge of stalking.
An official with the Wyoming Department of Criminal Investigation also listed the following person as having been arrested as a result of the search:
Jason Normand, 35 of Green River, was arrested for alleged conspiracy and delivery of methamphetamine, according to an official from the Department of Criminal Investigation. Jail tracker lists those charges as dismissed and lists that he was arrested on a warrant for two charges of unlawful delivery (methamphetamine) and one charge of possession with intent to deliver (methamphetamine).
An investigation by the Department of Criminal Investigation is ongoing, and Jarvie declined to comment on the case so he doesn’t jeopardize the investigation.
On some officers going to the wrong address, Jarvie said it’s a mistake that shouldn’t happen again.
“It’s our responsibility to make sure we’re at the right house. We realize that, “” said Jarvie. “That didn’t happen this time, and it’s unacceptable. We’re doing everything we can to make sure that doesn’t happen again.”