Wyoming Woman Arrested at Ketchikan Cruise Port on Embezzlement Charge

A 64-year-old Wyoming woman accused of embezzling thousands of dollars from a local church was arrested on June 12, 2025, in Ketchikan, Alaska, as she attempted to board a cruise ship. Karen Bryan, identified by the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office in Cheyenne, was detained after a nationwide digital warrant system flagged her during routine passenger checks. She is now in custody pending extradition to Wyoming.

Arrest at Ketchikan Cruise Port

Authorities at the bustling Ketchikan port, which sees multiple large vessels in dock on peak-season days, located and apprehended Bryan without incident. Although officials did not disclose the name of the specific ship she intended to board, port data indicates that on June 12, the Norwegian Cruise Lines Norwegian Bliss and Princess Cruises Royal Princess were among several vessels docked. According to port schedules, Ketchikan will host approximately 298 sailings during the 2025 season.

Allegations of Embezzlement and Church Funds

Bryan is accused of embezzling significant funds from a Laramie County church. While law enforcement has released few details about the nature of the case, the amount is described as thousands of dollars. Officials emphasize that Bryan is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, and no trial date has been set.

Extradition Process and Sheriff’s Comment

Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak confirmed the arrest in a social media post, stating, “Our deputies are responsible for picking up wanted fugitives throughout the United States. A person wanted locally for allegedly embezzling thousands from a church was contacted by law enforcement in Alaska as she was boarding a cruise ship, and has been arrested.”

Kozak joked that deputies are “fighting over who is going to get to go to Alaska to extradite her.” Bryan remains in custody in Ketchikan, where she may waive her right to extradition. If she does not, officials will pursue a governor’s warrant to facilitate her transfer back to Wyoming.

High Cruise Traffic and Security Measures

Ketchikan’s port is known for its heavy summer passenger volumes, and U.S. cruise terminals routinely coordinate with local, state, and federal agencies for security. Routine ID checks at embarkation points harness digital warrant databases, sometimes leading to the arrest of travelers sought by law enforcement. Similar apprehensions have occurred at other high-volume ports such as Miami, Baltimore, and Jacksonville. Officials say this system helps ensure public safety by quickly identifying and detaining individuals with outstanding warrants.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who is Karen Bryan, and what are the allegations against her?

Karen Bryan is a 64-year-old resident of Laramie County, Wyoming, accused of embezzling thousands of dollars from a local church. She was apprehended on June 12, 2025, in Ketchikan, Alaska.

How was the arrest at the Ketchikan port carried out?

Authorities ran a routine passenger verification check, which flagged Bryan’s outstanding warrant. Alaska law enforcement then detained her at the port before she could board the cruise ship.

Which cruise ship was involved?

The specific vessel Bryan intended to board was not publicly identified. However, on the day of her arrest, Ketchikan was hosting multiple large cruise ships, including the Norwegian Bliss and the Royal Princess.

What is the extradition process for Bryan?

She is currently being held in Ketchikan. If Bryan waives extradition, she will be transported to Wyoming relatively quickly. If she chooses not to waive, a governor’s warrant process must be completed before her transfer to Laramie County.

How common are cruise port arrests?

They are more frequent than many realize, as high-volume ports conduct digital warrant checks that occasionally identify fugitives. Similar arrests have occurred in PortMiami, Baltimore, and other major cruise gateways.

Bryan’s case highlights the increasing interagency cooperation that allows fugitives with digital warrants to be apprehended, even in remote travel destinations. She will remain in Alaska’s custody until her extradition arrangements are finalized. Officials in Wyoming and Alaska continue to coordinate her return to face the embezzlement charges in Laramie County.