Continuing the Crook County News Since 1884

Moorcroft man sentenced for theft

Moorcroft man Dewey Schoenewald has been found guilty of theft after a search of his residence uncovered numerous items that had been taken from another person’s property.

On December 28, 2018, Crook County Dispatch received a complaint of a theft that had occurred east of Moorcroft. While on routine patrol, according to the affidavit of probable cause, a Sheriff’s Office Sergeant observed in plain sight on Schoenewald’s property a piece of building material that matched the ones reported to have been stolen.

On January 8, a search warrant was executed for Schoenewald’s shop near Moorcroft and several items listed in the search warrant were allegedly located, including windows with the victim’s name on them. According to Schoenewald’s criminal warrant, the items taken also included lumber, building materials and a trailer belonging to the victim.

Schoenewald pled guilty to one count of theft and sentenced to between seven and ten years in a state penal institution, suspended pending successful completion of seven years of probation. He was also ordered to pay $9450 in restitution to the victim.