By Cali O’Hare
Pinedale Roundup
Via- Wyoming News Exchange

PINEDALE — Orion Donnie Owen Schlesinger, 19, was sentenced to 54 years to life in prison on Jan. 8 after he pleaded guilty to the charges of conspiracy to commit second-degree murder and theft of a firearm. 

Schlesinger was originally charged with first-degree murder for his role in the February 2025 crossbow shooting death of Dakota Farley, a 23-year-old Big Piney man who had autism. He changed his plea from not guilty to guilty at a hearing on Oct. 16 in the 9th Judicial District Court.

Thursday’s sentencing hearing lasted just over an hour and included an emotional victim impact statement given by Dakota Farley’s father, Ray Farley. 

The Big Piney man broke down as he explained he and his wife, Pam, raised Dakota to “be accepting of everyone.” Farley told the court that his only son’s brutal and untimely death has impacted the entire family mentally and physically, and shaken their faith. 

“As a kid, Dakota taught me. He taught me to be more compassionate and understanding. But this has really shaken my faith,” Ray Farley told the court. “We’re always taught to forgive. I’m not personally able to at the moment, and I feel bad for that.”

He recounted how Pam had to be hospitalized with a feeding tube for a week following Dakota’s murder and how every day he questions “myself getting out of bed in the morning because I miss my son so much.”

Sublette County attorney Clayton Melinkovich spoke about one of Farley’s final outings with Schlesinger, and Schlesinger’s then-girlfriend, a minor identified by her initials E.K. 

Melinkovich told the court Farley had driven Schlesinger and E.K. to Rock Springs when E.K. said she’d like something from Taco Bell. Excited about having new friends in his life and wanting to be supportive of them, Farley eagerly agreed and took the couple to Taco Bell, where he paid for their meals. 

“He was trying so hard to be accepted by and support the people in his corner,” Melinkovich said of the former Special Olympics athlete. “Those people he thought were closest to him ultimately led to his tragic, early demise in a horrible way.”

Schlesinger’s public defender, Rachel Weksler, also addressed the court. 

“This is a somber and sad day,” she began before discussing her client’s “tumultuous and largely unstable childhood.” She described Schlesinger, who turned 19 in jail, as “incredibly bright and full of potential, but someone who never felt like he fit in.” 

Weksler said Schlesinger had told her how much he misses Dakota, particularly gaming and bowling with him. She said he is “full of sorrow and regret that he didn’t alter the course of that night.”

When it was his turn to speak, Schlesinger opened a tightly folded piece of paper from which he read a short statement, beginning with an apology. He described Dakota as “a great person and a better friend.” He vowed to spend his time in prison “improving on myself in every way possible,” adding that he prays his “incarceration will one day bring peace to the family and friends of Dakota.”

Judge Kate McKay said of the case, “I have to acknowledge a certain amount of shockingness in this crime. The use of a crossbow… It’s a very intense, unusual and horrible fact. There is something more about the use of a crossbow versus even a firearm or knife.”

She also emphasized that there was no confrontation between Schlesinger and Farley. 

Rather, “It was a cold call on Mr. Farley that night to bring him to his door for just this purpose. Mr. Farley was clearly willing to open his door to friends that night.”

“It’s like three lives were lost that day,” McKay said as she noted Schlesinger is only technically an adult. She said Schlesinger did not have “the love, stability and structure” that he needed growing up, and “so many people failed” him along the way, but that there was no excuse for what happened. 

The judge determined Schlesinger “must be removed from society because without his instigation, encouragement and participation, this crime would not have happened. Prison is the best chance he has at this point.”

At the time of his sentencing, Schlesinger had already served 337 days in the Sublette County Detention Center. He will receive credit for that time served. He was also sentenced to 8-10 years for theft of Farley’s firearm, to run concurrently.

Schlesinger was ordered to pay $4,431.50 in restitution to Ray Farley, an amount that will cover his lost wages and the cost of Dakota Farley’s funeral.

“Dakota was someone who was good to the core,” McKay told the court. “What a shame that a light like that was extinguished.” 

Ray and Pam Farley sobbed and held each other as they listened to the judge’s words about their son. The pair spent their first holiday season without Dakota dressing up as Santa and Mrs. Claus and attending holiday gatherings throughout the county to spread Christmas cheer to local children.

The man accused of firing the crossbow, Rowan Littauer, 20, will be sentenced for his role in Dakota Farley’s murder at a hearing scheduled for Feb. 9.

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