The man who jumped from a bridge in east Casper on Wednesday was scheduled to plead guilty to drug-related charges in federal court in Cheyenne, according to federal court records and an employee of a local bail bond company.

Casper resident David McKeown was taken into custody after leading law enforcement on a chase east on Interstate 25, then in Evansville, and back to the interstate until he stopped at the bridge over Wyoming Boulevard.

McKeown parked his car, got out, pointed a loaded gun at police, begged police to shoot him, turned the gun on himself but it jammed, and then jumped 23 feet to Wyoming Boulevard.

He broke a leg and was taken to the Wyoming Medical Center for treatment.

Local and federal law enforcement agencies have declined to identify him.

McKeown was identified as the suspect by Billie Rawlings, who works for 307 Bail Bonds, LLC.

McKeown was driving a vehicle owned by the company during the incident, and her company has received criticism for that, she said.

Rawlings gave K2 Radio this prepared statement, which we are quoting verbatim here:

"David McKeown was the gentleman involved in the incident involving our vehicle. Dave was a client in early 2018. While on bond with us, we all became close. He had made a choice to change his life. Short time ago he was federally indicted and the state charges were then dropped so he was no longer on bond. While out on federal pre-trial his motorcycle was stolen and we provided him with out company vehicle. Dave was supposed to go to court the day of the incident in Cheyenne and did not make it there. Then the other events played out. Dave was not the first client that we have done these type of things for and he definitely will not be the last.
"We go above and beyond especially for people who are trying to change their lives."

McKeown was charged in a federal criminal complaint in an affidavit by an agent with the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation on Oct. 24. According to the affidavit, McKeown and other unnamed co-conspirators obtained and distributed methamphetamine from January through July 2018.

On Nov. 15, the federal grand jury handed up an indictment that charged him with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, two counts of distribution of methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition.

He was released on an unsecured $10,000 bond.

His trial was scheduled for Jan. 22. If he was convicted on all counts, he could have been punished by 25 years to life imprisonment.

The prosecution and defense had developed a plea agreement, and McKeown was scheduled to change his plea before U.S. District Court Judge Alan Johnson in Cheyenne on Wednesday morning.

He didn’t appear, the chase happened, and he was taken into custody after jumping from the bridge.

Because of his failure to appear, Johnson then entered a bench warrant for his arrest on Wednesday.

Johnson also granted the prosecution's motion to delay the trial because it was unknown at that time if he would appear for trial.

The warrant for McKeown's arrest was executed Wednesday in Casper, and was returned on Thursday.


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