Cheyenne Man Charged With Felony Over Broken Phone

A 25-year-old Cheyenne man is facing a felony charge after allegedly destroying a man's phone.

The Arrest

According to a booking sheet, police arrested Hunter Eben Wood at 5:12 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 18, for felony property destruction and misdemeanor domestic assault.

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Property Destruction Charges

Wood was booked into the Laramie County Detention Center and subsequently charged with felony property destruction, a crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison, up to a $10,000 fine, or both; and misdemeanor property destruction, a crime punishable by up to six months in jail, up to a $750 fine, or both.

Initial Court Appearance

On Thursday, Jan. 22, Wood was seen in Laramie County Circuit Court in front of Judge TJ Forwood on the charges.

Forwood appointed Wood a public defender then asked the state for recommendation on bond.

"Looking back through this affidavit, it looked to involve a domestic-related issue, which always is a bit of a concern, but then the value of the phone ... was put at about $1,300," the state said.

"He does have a bit of a history where there has been prior drug use allegations in the past; it looks like a diversion related to marijuana," the state added. "There's been really no other substantial record in adult world, so the state would be just primarily looking at concerns related within this affidavit, and given that it's a felony, the state would be asking for $2,500 cash only at this time and no contact with the victim."

"I would request that it be lower," Wood told Forwood.

Bond Set at $2,500 Cash or Surety

"I'm going to set it at $2,500 cash or surety. That means you can use a bondsman," Forwood told Wood, setting his preliminary hearing for Friday, Jan. 30, at 10:30 a.m., and ordering he not have contact with the victim.

Victim Speaks

"This did occur very early in the morning," the victim told Forwood. "I was woken up out of my sleep. They were asking me the value of my phone. I'm not even sure that's a correct value. I did replace it, but it was a five-year-old device."

"I would hope that we could waive the no contact with me as I'm not in fear for my life," the victim added. "And I'd like to get a little more clarity to the value of that phone because I'm not just so sure that it would be above $1,000. I know new phones are really expensive, but I just, my apologies for maybe giving advice that was not accurate, being woken up out of sleep."

No Contact Provision Removed

Hearing no objection from the state, Forwood then removed the no contact provision.

Please remember that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.