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Wyoming representative charged with battery of mentally challenged son at Beach Club

02 December 2011 Last Updated on 17 May 2012 Marcy Shortuse

Nicholas A. Robert

A Wyoming state representative was arrested for abuse of a disabled adult on Wednesday, Nov. 23, after he repeatedly struck his mentally challenged son at the Gasparilla Inn Beach Club.

According to Lee County sheriff’s reports, Robert A. Nicholas, 54, of Cheyenne, Wyo. was arrested after several witnesses said they saw Nicholas beat the victim while crossing the parking lot, punched the victim three to four times in the face, and repeatedly punched the victim in the stomach and at least once in the ribs.

According to reports, when the sheriff’s deputy arrived at the Gasparilla Inn & Club where Nicholas was staying, he was let into the room by management. There he made contact with Nicholas and his 19-year-old son, the victim, who Nicholas described as having a condition similar to autism.

The sheriff’s deputy reported that he found definitive evidence of abuse on the victim.

According to sheriff’s reports, Nicholas was charged and taken to the Lee County Jail. He was released on a surety bond on November 28, and is scheduled to appear in court on December 27.

Nicholas is a Republican representative for House District 08 in Laramie County, Wyo.

As of 2010 Nicholas was a board member of the Caring for Children Foundation, and was a Special Olympics coach.