Robbery suspect in custody

Cody Ellenson, the primary suspect in the December 16 robbery of the Whistle Pig Saloon south of Saratoga, has been arrested by authorities in Florida.

On March 15, the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of 32-year-old Ellenson in a press release. According to the press release, the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office Crime Suppression Unit (CSU) was contacted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) about a person in Wakulla County who might be a wanted fugitive from Wyoming. The FWC said that during their encounter with Ellenson, he identified himself as Cory James, but that they had assumed it was a false name.

Ellenson was later taken into custody without incident after being positively identified.

As previously reported by the Saratoga Sun, Ellenson was believed to have fled the Saratoga area and Wyoming with 28-year-old Victoria Tidball, a co-defendant in the Whistle Pig robbery. Tidball, who was later arrested in Nebraska, was charged with assault with a deadly weapon after firing approximately 40 rounds into her ex-boyfriend’s house and vehicle. She was later arrested on December 27 by the Nebraska State Patrol without incident despite being considered armed and dangerous.

Along with facing charges in Carbon County, Ellenson is also facing charges of sexual offense on a minor in Campbell County.

“The conversation I had with Campbell County sounds like Ellenson will be facing a hearing in Campbell County at least first,” said Saratoga Police Chief Mike Morris in an interview with the Sun on Friday. “Ellenson is also facing charges in Florida presently on possible misdemeanor charges. So when he is done with his charges in Florida, authorities in Campbell County will be in the process of having Ellenson extradited back to Campbell County.”

According to Campbell County Sheriff Scott Matheny, extradition from Florida to Wyoming will need to be negotiated through the United States Marshal’s Office. Matheny told the Saratoga Sun on Tuesday morning that Florida would defer their charges against Ellenson to allow both Campbell County and Carbon County to prosecute Ellenson.

Matheny noted that, while his office would be taking custody of Ellenson, the case itself was in the hands of the Gillette Police Department. He added Ellenson would be delivered to Campbell County first due to the age of his charges. This was confirmed by Carbon County Undersheriff Shawn Kelley on Wednesday morning. It was unknown as to when the extradition of Ellenson would take place. According to Kelley, this would depend on whether Ellenson would waive his right to an extradition hearing or if he would challenge his extradition to Wyoming. If challenged, said Kelley, it would likely go through the Florida court system.

“One way or another, he’ll be extradited,” said Kelley.

Kelley added that the administration for Carbon County Jail was in close contact with their peers in Campbell County and had already placed a hold on Ellenson. According to Kelley, once Ellenson faced his charges there, he would be transported to Carbon County to face the robbery charges here.