Cheyenne Man Posts $10K Bond After Being Charged With Felony

A 45-year-old Cheyenne man is facing a felony charge after allegedly destroying more than $1,000 worth of property.

Arrest Leads to Felony Charge

According to a booking sheet, police arrested Lawrence Richard Bocanegra at a residence in the 1900 block of Rainbow Road at 11:03 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 6, for breach of peace, burglary, and felony property destruction.

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Police say alcohol was involved, but Bocanegra refused a blood alcohol test.

Bocanegra was booked into the Laramie County Detention Center and subsequently charged with felony property destruction, a crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison, up to a $10,000 fine, or both.

Initial Court Appearance

On Tuesday, Feb. 10, Bocanegra was seen in Laramie County Circuit Court in front of Judge Antoinette Williams on the charge.

Williams told Bocanegra he didn't qualify for a public defender and would have to hire his own attorney, and set his preliminary hearing for Wednesday, Feb. 18, at 3 p.m.

Williams then asked for the state's position regarding bond.

"Mr. Bocanegra has a long criminal history with numerous prior contacts with this court," the state said. "Of particular concern is his history of failures to appear as well as being arrested for other jurisdictions on extraditable warrants."

"The state believes that $10,000 cash is appropriate given the felony charge in conjunction with his criminal history," the state added.

"I do have a lengthy history, but I got out of federal prison, I got my CDL, I've been employed the whole time, I got off parole a year early because of good behavior, and I've been at this job for two years now straight," Bocanegra told Williams. "I haven't had any problems, and I just feel like that should come into consideration."

"What is the criminal history," Williams asked the state.

"In fairness to Mr. Bocanegra, it seems that he doesn't make the same mistakes twice, but there is a litany of different things," the state said. "Disorderly conduct, aggravated assault with a weapon, I guess that was pled down to a menacing felony with a simulated weapon, but driving under after revocation, the of course, the failures to appear during those pending charges, some drug charges, different possessions, manufacturing of a Schedule I drug in South Dakota it looks like."

Bond Set at $10K Cash

"The court is concerned about the safety of the community," Williams told Bocanegra. "The court's going to set your bond at $10,000 cash and because I'm setting it at $10,000 cash I'm going to go ahead and appoint the public defender's office, so go ahead and give them a call tomorrow or Thursday and we can readdress your bond at the preliminary hearing."

Out on Bond

Bocanegra posted bond later that day.

Please remember that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.