News – Sheridan Media
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A 19-year-old man responsible for stealing firearms from vehicles in Sheridan during the period of July 25 through August 1 of 2025, was sentenced for his crimes at a hearing Thursday in Fourth Judicial District Court. Sheridan Media’s Ron Richter has the details.
On July 31, 2025, the Sheridan Police Department received a report of a string of vehicle burglaries where firearms were missing from their cases in the 1200 block of the Bowman Avenue area. Soon after the report was made, Leland Cross was arrested during a traffic stop for being in possession of one of the stolen firearms and a stolen laser pointer. At a change of plea hearing in January, Cross pleaded no contest to the felony charges of conspiracy to commit burglary, theft and conspiracy to commit theft. Cross also pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of possession of a controlled substance – marijuana.
At Thursday’s sentencing hearing, Sheridan County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Wendy Sweeny recommended a prison sentence of 5-10 years for each of the felony charges and 30 days jail, time served, for the misdemeanor charge, and to run the felony sentences concurrent to one another. Public Defender Jordan Camino argued for 4 to 6 years in prison, suspended in favor of three years of supervised probation.
Following the arguments and recommendations from legal counsel, District Court Judge Darci Phillips sentenced Cross to 4 to 6 years in prison for each of the three felony charges, suspended in lieu of a split-sentence of one year in jail to be followed by three years of supervised probation. Cross was given credit for 252 days of time served of presentence confinement. Cross received 30 days in jail for the misdemeanor drug possession charge and was given credit for time served. Judge Phillips ordered Cross to pay $925 in court costs and assessments, a total of $336 in restitution to the victims, and $500 in public defender fees.
Also from District Court Thursday:
A 19-year-old Sheridan man changed his pleas on multiple felony charges at a hearing Thursday in Fourth Judicial District Court. Pursuant to the terms of a plea agreement reached with the State, Cody Garner pleaded guilty to counts of felony theft and one count of felony accessory after the fact. In a separate case, but at the same hearing, Garner pleaded guilty to one count of felony possession of a controlled substance-marijuana, for being in possession of 5.1 ounces of the drug on January 22, 2025.
The State is recommending a 2 to 4 year prison sentence for the two theft charges and the accessory charge. The sentences will run concurrent to one another. For the drug possession charge, the State is recommending credit for time served. District Court Judge Darci Phillips ordered that a presentence investigation report be completed by the Department of Corrections Division of Probation and Parole and scheduled sentencing for June 25 at 9:45 am. Garner’s bond was revoked and he was remanded to the custody of the Sheridan County Detention Center pending sentencing.
According to court documents, Garner was charged with the two theft charges for his role in stealing firearms from vehicles in Sheridan County and Billings, Montana between June 2025 and October 19, 2025. The accessory charge stems from Garner taking possession of and hiding some of the stolen guns in the trees off of Red Grade Road in Sheridan County.
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Last modified: April 10, 2026