A 32-year-old woman from Ethete, Wyoming, is facing up to 20 years in prison after being accused of stealing steak, hot dogs, house slippers, and other items from the Riverton Walmart, Cowboy State Daily reports.
Kimberly Lynn Duran has a record of 21 prior theft convictions, leading to her being charged under Wyoming’s recent law that classifies repeat thefts as felonies, regardless of the stolen items’ value.
Duran is charged with two counts of “fifth-time” felony theft for incidents that reportedly occurred in September and November. While Wyoming typically reserves felony theft charges for stolen items valued above $1,000—or for firearms or livestock—the law enacted in 2023 allows felony charges for theft of any value after four previous theft convictions.
On Dec. 10, Duran pleaded not guilty to one charge in Fremont County District Court. She is scheduled for a Dec. 27 hearing in Riverton Circuit Court regarding the second charge.
According to affidavits filed by Riverton Police Officer Christian Amos, Duran allegedly stole goods in two separate incidents this fall while banned from Walmart.
First Incident: September 28
Surveillance footage reportedly shows Duran entering the store carrying a large pink tote bag. She is alleged to have taken chicken buckets, hot dogs, six packages of steak, clothing, slippers, a Paris Hilton purse, and other items, totaling $306.41.
Second Incident: November 10
In the second incident, Officer Amos confronted Duran in a silver Dodge van after being alerted by Walmart employees. She allegedly admitted to stealing items, including rib-eye steaks and work pants, valued at $137.38.
Duran was arrested after the items were priced and identified.
Duran has a lengthy history of theft convictions dating back to 2001, with her most recent conviction occurring in November 2024. She was banned from Walmart for life in 2018, a factor that could independently justify felony burglary charges under Wyoming law.
The case highlights Wyoming’s approach to repeat theft offenders. The 2023 law reflects an effort to address habitual shoplifting and theft, enabling felony charges for minor thefts if the offender has multiple prior convictions.
Public Defender Jon Gerard, representing Duran, declined to comment on the case, citing office policy on active legal proceedings.
