GILLETTE, Wyo. — Two Gillette residents told Gillette Police Department Feb. 1 that a “Sgt. Taylor with Campbell County Sheriff’s office” scammer called them and asked for money, Deputy Police Chief Brent Wasson said this morning.
Wasson said a 54-year-old man told Gillette police at 2:03 p.m. Feb. 1 that the unknown man “informed” the man that he had a warrant for failure to appear for jury duty and requested $2,700. The man didn’t send the “sergeant” any money, Wasson said. Gillette police called the impersonator, who again identified himself as “Sgt. Taylor” and hung up as police officers attempted to speak further with him, according to Wasson.
Another Gillette resident received a similar call, Wasson said.
He said a 62-year-old man reported at the Gillette Police Department that his 68-year-old wife received a call from the “Sgt. Taylor,” who requested $2,700 and “informed” her that she, too, had a warrant for failure to appear for jury duty. She told the man that she couldn’t pay the full amount, and then “Sgt. Taylor” requested a $500 payment, which she provided via MoneyPak gift cards, Wasson said.
Several incidents have occurred in the past year in Gillette.
Undersheriff Quentin Reynolds said in January that the scammer is reportedly contacting individuals to inform them that they have an active arrest warrant and that units would be dispatched to their homes to arrest them if they don’t pay a fine. While refusal to show up for jury duty is grounds for an individual to be held in contempt of court, the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office will not call and attempt to arrest people over the phone or request funds or gift cards, Reynolds said.
