Cheyenne man charged with intimidating election officials

Cheyenne man charged with intimidating election officials

CHEYENNE (WNE) — A Cheyenne man known to local store owners as “Wisdom” has been arrested by local law enforcement, charged with criminal trespass, breach of peace and intimidation for disrupting an election site and allegedly tearing up election materials.

Joshua Hayden-Ali has been arrested several times in the past few months, most frequently for criminal trespass and breach of peace.

On Aug. 6, Deputy Ramon Colvert responded to a call from an employee of the coffee shop located in the atrium of the Laramie County Governmental Complex. The employee sounded stressed and twice repeated the phrase “he was here,” to Colvert, referring to Hayden-Ali, according to the probable cause affidavit. The employee had previously expressed her fears of Hayden-Ali, telling Colvert that when Hayden-Ali is in the area, she feels apprehensive.

Hayden-Ali was reportedly walking through the building, tapping his staff against the floor with each step as he ignored election officials. He proceeded into the area where people were voting, even though he was asked to leave.

The governmental complex hosted a polling location that was open to early voters starting July 23.

As of June 29, 2023, Hayden-Ali has been trespassed from the courthouse until 2033, due to several previous incidents of disruptive and threatening behavior. 

He was booked on charges of criminal trespass, breach of peace and intimidation. Criminal trespass and breach of peace are both misdemeanor charges punishable by up to six months and/or a $750 fine. Knowingly intimidating people to interfere with an election is a felony in Wyoming, punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.

Hayden-Ali is well known to Cheyenne’s local businesses for harassing behavior. He has been reported to attempt to “hex” people, threaten people’s physical safety and even threaten to sacrifice a puppy.

He often carries a large staff and has used it in the past to mimic shooting at people.

This story was published on August 28, 2024.