A 22-year-old Powell man has been sentenced to 12 to 18 years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple felony charges involving two underage victims.
According to the Powell Tribune, Guadalupe Hernandez Jr. pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree sexual assault of a minor and one count of possession of child pornography as part of a plea agreement. Five additional felony charges were dismissed under the agreement.
Court records indicate the investigation began in April 2025 after Powell police received a report that Hernandez had received sexually explicit images from a teenage girl through Snapchat. During the investigation, authorities also learned Hernandez had engaged in a sexual relationship with a different teenage girl. Prosecutors alleged the relationship began months earlier and that Hernandez encouraged the victim to keep it secret.
During sentencing, Park County District Judge Bill Simpson accepted the plea agreement and imposed the negotiated prison sentence. Hernandez apologized for his actions in court and said he intended to seek treatment while incarcerated.
According to the Powell Tribune, statements submitted to the court described the lasting emotional impact the crimes had on the victims. Prosecutors also told the court the plea agreement was supported by the victims.
Hernandez has been in custody since his arrest in July 2025 and is currently housed at the Wyoming Medium Correctional Institution in Torrington. Following his release from prison, he will be required to register as a sex offender.