ROCK SPRINGS – A Rock Springs man described by authorities as a serial rapist and “one of the most dangerous men this court will ever have to deal with” was sentenced to lengthy multiple prison sentences in Green River Friday.

James Joe Nordwall, 58, received seven separate 45-50 year prison sentences from Judge Richard Lavery in District Court in Green River on four counts of First Degree Rape and three counts of Sexual Assault in the First Degree for crimes extending as far back as the early 1970s.

The charges involved five female victims, two of which were children age 12-14 at the time, and two women in their 30s.

Sweetwater County Sheriff Rich Haskell said county detectives began their investigation in 2013, when it was discovered that Nordwall, who pleaded no contest in District Court in Green River to Second Degree Sexual Assault in August of 1994 and received a sentence of three to five years in the Wyoming State Penitentiary, had not registered as a sex offender upon his release.

According to Haskell, as the case’s lead detective, Michelle Hall, continued to advance the investigation, she discovered the existence and identities of sexual assault and rape victims of Nordwall’s from 1971, 1973, 1989, and 1992, filed her charges with the Sweetwater County Attorney’s Office, and arrested Nordwall on August 19.

After a four-day jury trial, Nordwall was found guilty on March 13 of four counts of First Degree Rape and three counts of Sexual Assault in the First degree.

On Friday, testimony was heard from several witnesses and recommendations for sentencing were presented by Deputy County Attorney Suzannah Gambell and Nordwall’s attorney, Stan Cannon. Gambell characterized Nordwall as a “serial rapist” and a danger to the community. She described Nordwall as “one of the most dangerous men this court will ever have to deal with” and asked for the heaviest possible sentences.

Cannon asked Judge Lavery for “mercy and compassion,” saying “there is no justice in retribution, there is no justice in revenge.”

Lavery expressed his hope that the victims and their families would now be able to have happy lives and ordered that Nordwall serve 45 – 50 years for each count of First Degree Rape, with sentences to be served concurrently, and 45 – 50 years for each count of Sexual Assault in the First Degree, with sentences to be served concurrently. He also ordered, however, that the Sexual Assault in the First Degree sentences be served consecutively with the First Degree Rape sentences. He was given credit for 347 days already served at the Sweetwater County Detention Center.

Lavery noted that Nordwall’s pre-sentence investigation disclosed he was convicted in Park County, Wyoming, in 1982 of Assault and Battery with a Dangerous or Deadly Weapon and sentenced to a term of 6 to 12 years.

On the night of March 8, 1982, Jacque Nordwall, Nordwall’s wife, along with a man named Mike Hanson and a woman identified as Lorna Fry, were at Jacque Nordwall’s residence about six miles northeast of Powell when James Nordwall appeared at the property. Jacque Nordwall, Hanson, and Fry attempted to barricade themselves inside the home, but Hanson was shot through a window by Nordwall with a .44 Magnum handgun. Nordwall took Hanson and Jacque Nordwall hostage, but gave himself up to Park County law enforcement officers after a standoff.

Haskell commended the Sheriff’s Office Detective Division for “its excellent work” in the case, and reserved special praise for Detective Hall. “Reaching back over 40 years in time, building a case on such terrible crimes, and getting a conviction in court takes the very best in professionalism, skill, and dedication,” he said. “We’re all extremely pleased at this case’s outcome, and very proud of Michelle.”