A Wyoming man accused of torturing and killing a wolf is set to avoid jail time.

Cody Roberts, 44, allegedly plowed a young wolf named Theia down with a snowmobile, taped its mouth shut, and brought it to the Green River Bar in Daniel, Wyoming, before killing it in February 2024.

Roberts was scheduled to defend himself against felony animal cruelty charges on March 9 in Sublette County District Court, but he has now agreed to a plea deal.

Under Wednesday’s agreement, Roberts is expected to serve 18 months of probation and pay a $1,000 fine. He will also be prohibited from hunting, fishing, drinking alcohol or entering bars during that time.

Shortly after the incident, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department determined Roberts’ actions did not violate state animal cruelty laws, citing him instead for illegally possessing wildlife and imposing a $250 fine. 

But in August 2025, Sublette County Attorney Clayton Melinkovich convened a grand jury, which indicted Roberts on felony animal cruelty charges. If convicted, he could have faced up to two years in prison.

The case has sparked public outcry, with many demanding that Roberts serve jail time. 

‘One of the saddest stories ever of animal torture. This should have been a federal felony charge,’ wrote an animal activist on X.

Cody Roberts, 44, allegedly plowed a young wolf named Theia down with a snowmobile, taped its mouth shut and brought it to the Green River Bar in Daniel, Wyoming, before killing it in February 2024

Witnesses said Roberts dragged or carried the animal through the Green River Bar as patrons looked on. He was hit with a $250 fine on February 29 for his actions 

According to court filings in Sublette County District Court, Roberts is expected to withdraw his earlier not guilty plea and enter a plea of guilty or no contest to a felony animal cruelty charge. The agreement must still be approved by a judge. 

If Roberts violates his probation, the suspended prison sentence could be enforced, meaning he could serve up to two years behind bars and face additional fines of up to $4,000.

The plea agreement also gives the judge a choice: if the judge rejects it, Roberts could withdraw his plea and either go to trial or negotiate a different deal.

The case sparked international outrage after video footage emerged showing Roberts torturing a female wolf, which he then took to the back of a bar and shot dead.

Wildlife advocates and animal welfare groups condemned the brutal act, calling for Roberts to face the full force of the law.

Governor Mark Gordon and the agency’s Director Brian Nesvik had publicly condemned the torture of the animal.

‘Cruelty to any wildlife is absolutely unacceptable. This is not the way anyone should treat any animal,’ Gordon said, while Nesvik called the capture and torture of the wild animal ‘disgusting.’

After a traumatizing video of the wild animal inside the bar went viral, locals expressed frustration with Roberts, who was fined $250 on February 29.

Roberts also posed for a photo with the animal, and a video filmed by witnesses showed him kissing the barely conscious wolf and laughing at its distress

The wolf was later killed, but Roberts plans to take a plea deal that will give him probation and fines

Roberts’ aunt, Jeanne Ivie-Roberts, is seen posing with a a wolf’s hide with duct tape over her own mouth. She said she knew the picture would cause a sh** storm’ 

Roberts also posed for a photo with the animal, and a video filmed by witnesses showed him kissing the barely conscious wolf and laughing at its distress. 

The wolf bared its teeth as Roberts pulled its head off the floor and turned it towards him, but it was too weak to do anything more to resist.

‘It absolutely sickens me… But evil must be exposed. That’s the only reason to show it to the public,’ a bar patron who acquired the video said.

Before agreeing to the plea deal, Roberts attempted to have the case dismissed, arguing that Wyoming’s animal cruelty laws exempted predators like wolves. 

A judge rejected that claim earlier this month.

Roberts’ next step is a change-of-plea hearing, expected as soon as next week. 

At that hearing, Sublette County Attorney Melinkovich will lay out the factual basis for Roberts’ guilty plea in accordance with the agreement. 

While the evidence presented to the grand jury that indicted Roberts in August will remain sealed, Melinkovich has already previewed his arguments during earlier court proceedings.