By Dylan Farrell
Casper Star Tribune, Wyo.
CASPER, Wyo. — A Casper man is facing a felony charge of taking a deadly weapon into a state penal institution after authorities accused him of flashing a gun to a coworker and saying “f**k that guy.”
Gregory Bockelmann, 25, was charged last week in connection with an alleged Dec. 1 incident where authorities and Casper Reentry Center staff said they found Bockelmann with a pistol, multiple extended magazines and a gravity knife on his person.
Bockelmann told investigators he didn’t realize the gun was on his person and he brought it in as an accident, according to an affidavit filed with the charges.
Bockelmann said “he bent over and felt the pistol on his person” while on duty in the facility’s control room shortly before he flashed the firearm while talking to a coworker, court papers indicate.
After the incident, authorities said Bockelmann told investigators he and the coworker were chatting informally and that the “f**k that guy” comment wasn’t made in reference to any particular inmate.
The coworker who reported Bockelmann told investigators the pair were talking about a specific federal inmate who resided at the reentry center, according to the affidavit.
The coworker then reported Bockelmann to administrators, who had a security guard check Bockelmann’s person with a metal-detecting wand and confiscated a Glock 34, three extended magazines and a knife from his person, according to the filing.
Authorities estimated the number of rounds in Bockelmann’s possession to be more than 50.
Bockelmann allegedly told authorities he usually leaves the firearm in his car but dropped the vehicle off at a mechanic’s shop before work that day.
Bockelmann is charged with one count of taking a deadly weapon into a state penal institution in relation to the Glock and one count of carrying a concealed weapon into a detention center in relation to the knife.
The former is a felony that carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
The latter is a misdemeanor carrying a maximum penalty of 6 months in jail and a $750 fine, according to state statute.
“Based on Bockelmann’s statements, it became apparent to law enforcement that he was in the facility for more than six hours while in possession of a full-sized, semi-automatic handgun, three extended magazines and a knife,” the affidavit states. “Based on the size and placement of the handgun and magazines, it would be virtually impossible for an individual not to know they were in possession of those items.”
Public documents indicate a warrant was issued for Bockelmann’s arrest on Dec. 23 but did not show a court appearance as of Monday morning, but the Natrona County Sheriff’s Office website did not indicate a warrant for Bockelmann was still active Monday afternoon.
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