A Mills man charged with three drug-related felonies was bound over for trial after he waived his preliminary hearing in Natrona County Circuit Court on Thursday.

Michael Dwayne Ross, 39, is charged with conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, and use of a firearm while committing a drug-related felony.

Although Ross waived his preliminary hearing, Public Defender Traci Hucke asked Judge Steven Brown to lower his bond.

Ross has ties to the community, and he voluntarily surrendered to authorities, Hucke said.

But Assistant District Attorney Trevor Schenk objected, saying Ross is facing serious charges.

Schenk also said Ross is alleged to have threatened a witness to recant their testimony in his case.

The case began in January when a confidential informant told Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation agents about alleged drug dealers including Ross in the Casper area, according to court documents.

According to that informant, Ross would get methamphetamine from his source and front it to a companion who would sell the drug for him.

Ross also allegedly had a handgun on him at all times in order to protect the drugs and cash.

Another informant told investigators that they sold four or five pounds of methamphetamine from November through January, and that people selling the drug distributed handguns to co-conspirators.

Another confidential source estimated they and another person allegedly involved sold at least 20 pounds of methamphetamine in the prior three-and-a-half months.

On Jan. 18, agents obtained and executed a search warrant at a Casper home found 61 grams — a little over one-tenth of a pound — of methamphetamine and two handguns, according to court records.

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