Casper Man Accused Of Kidnapping Man He Called A ‘Snitch’ Pleads Not Guilty

A 20-year-old Casper man pleaded not guilty Friday to charges that he allegedly forced a man he called a “snitch” into a car, threatened his life, and put a gun to his chest. Michael Cody Odom appeared before Judge Joshua Eames in Natrona County District Court on charges of aggravated kidnapping, use of a firearm to commit a felony, aggravated assault and battery, and witness tampering.

The charges stem from a Feb. 13 incident. Casper police initially received a report at 8:50 a.m. of “scary guys” in the area of South Walsh Drive and an overheard conversation asking if they were “ready to do this.” Officers later found a 26-year-old man on Trigood Drive who told them that Odom had threatened him with a handgun while another accomplice held a knife to his side.

According to an affidavit of probable cause, the alleged victim said he and Odom had a previous “beef” over dating a woman and that Odom had told him he knew him to be a “snitch.” The victim denied the accusation. Later, at the Flying J Travel Center, Odom again confronted him and motioned for him to get into the back seat of a blue Dodge Challenger. The victim obliged.

The group drove to Spring Hill Apartments, where the victim was told, “when you snitch that is what you take away.” The trio then circled him and pushed him down the street to a more secluded area. A knife was produced to direct him into the car. Inside, one man held a black knife to his side. After the car parked in an alley, Odom allegedly produced a handgun and held it against the victim’s chest, saying he wanted to “hit this lick” or rob him.

An argument developed about who would kill the victim. Odom appeared “enthusiastic,” the affidavit states. He then allegedly struck the victim in the head, and the victim’s head hit the vehicle. Odom kept striking him as the victim defended himself. When the victim asked, “Are we going to do this?” the trio became distracted, and the victim got off the ground. The men demanded he get back in the car, but the 43-year-old driver ultimately said, “I am disappointed in you, but you are right,” and drove off.

Police later stopped the Challenger and found a backpack with a Springfield XD45 handgun. Odom refused to speak with police. Aggravated kidnapping carries a penalty of not less than 20 years to life in prison. The firearm and assault charges carry up to 10 years each, and witness tampering carries up to five years. Odom remains in the Natrona County jail on a $70,000 cash bond. His trial is set for July 13.