Within a month of offering a $15,000 reward for information, 22-year-old Lorna Roxanne Green of Casper has been arrested by the Casper Police Department, F.B.I., and A.T.F. as a suspect in the arson of a Casper clinic in May 2022.
After a year of investigation, a suspect has been arrested for the act of arson that made national news in the wake of the ongoing debate on abortion in the United States. 22-year-old Lorna Roxanne Green of Casper, Wyoming, has been arrested by the Casper Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF.)
Wellspring Health Access Clinic was scheduled to open on June 14, 2022, offering OB/GYN care, gender-affirming care, and abortion procedures. On May 25, 2022, at about 3:49 a.m., Casper Police Department officers responded to the clinic when smoke was observed coming from the east side of the building. The Casper Fire Department responded and extinguished the fire, although the clinic was heavily damaged and nearby buildings had to be evacuated.
Through witness accounts and video surveillance, investigators identified a suspect who had gained entry by breaking a window, pouring gas in the facility, then leaving just before the reporting party called in suspicious activity.
On March 3, the Casper Police Department – with the assistance of an anonymous donor – solicited the public for leads in the case, with an additional $10,000 reward. Shortly after that, several tipsters identified a potential suspect, which led to the filing of charges after further investigation.
Courtesy Casper Police Department
Lorna Roxanne Green was arrested on Tuesday, March 21. She is currently charged by complaint with arson of a facility engaged in interstate commerce.
Several law enforcement agents involved in the investigation released statements on Green’s arrest, thanking the Casper community for the information that led to the identification and incarceration of a long-sought-after suspect.
United States Attorney Nicholas Vassallo
“This case demonstrates how valuable tips are from the community. Every tip received was shared with and evaluated by cooperating law enforcement partners from the Casper Police Department, FBI, and ATF. Several tips from the public and the hard work of the investigators were instrumental in identifying and arresting Lorna Green.”
Casper Chief of Police Keith McPheeters
“The progress we’ve made in this complicated investigation is a perfect example of the strong working relationships we have with our Federal Law Enforcement partners. The FBI and the ATF provided significant resources and expertise to the Casper Police Department, working hand-in-hand with our detectives and officers throughout this lengthy investigation. Importantly, our community members also assisted in bringing this investigation to this stage. We would like to thank and recognize the dedicated investigators and citizens who contributed to the investigation of this dangerous arson incident.”
Acting A.T.F. Special Agent in Charge Kirk Howard
“ATF Certified Fire Investigators provided expert investigative and logistical support to the Casper Police Department, where they worked together in determining the origin and cause of this arson. While established local and federal partnerships contributed greatly, we are especially grateful to the Casper community for their pivotal engagement.”
Denver FBI Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek
“The FBI is grateful for the relationships it maintains with local, state, federal and tribal partners. It cannot be stressed enough that these kinds of partnerships are integral to keeping our communities safe. We are appreciative of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Casper Police Department, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Wyoming for their collaborative work in this case.”
If convicted, Green faces a minimum of five years and up to 20 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. However, a complaint merely contains allegations – every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Lorna Roxanne Green will appear before United States Magistrate Judge Kelly H. Rankin on March 23 at 9 a.m. in Cheyenne. The crime continues to be investigated by the Casper Police Department, ATF, and FBI.
