PINEDALE, WY – Two young men have been charged in the brutal killing of a 23-year-old man in Wyoming, allegedly over unverified accusations of pedophilia. The small mountain community of Pinedale, located 350 miles from Cheyenne, is grappling with the details of this grim case.
Rowan Henry Littauer, 19, is facing charges of first-degree murder and mutilation of a corpse, while 18-year-old Orion Schlesinger has been charged with conspiracy to commit murder and theft. The pair is accused of murdering Dakota Farley, with Littauer allegedly using a bow and arrow.
The investigation began on February 5th when alarming text messages were sent to the Sublette County Sheriff’s Office, alleging a violent crime. One message stated, “Rowan shot Dakota with a bow and 2 arrows,” and claimed, “one less pedifile (sic) now.” Authorities noted that there was no verified evidence supporting the accusation against Farley.
During their investigation, detectives interviewed Littauer, who reportedly admitted to using a bow and arrow to fatally shoot Farley, showing officers the location of the incident on a map app. Littauer also indicated that Schlesinger was present during the attack.
Upon entering Farley’s residence in Pinedale, officers discovered his body on the living room floor, surrounded by dried blood. A more detailed inspection revealed eight BB gun wounds on the left side of Farley’s head, confirmed as inflicted post-mortem.
The affidavit suggests Littauer and Schlesinger plotted Farley’s murder days before carrying out the act. The two allegedly armed themselves with a compound bow, arrows, and a BB gun before trekking to Farley’s home, where Littauer delivered a fatal arrow shot as soon as they encountered the victim.
After Farley was killed, Littauer reportedly shot BBs into his head, while Schlesinger is accused of stealing a revolver from Farley’s home. Authorities later recovered the weapons used in the crime.
Currently incarcerated in Sublette County Jail, Littauer and Schlesinger are being held on a $5 million bond. Their court appearance is slated for February 13th.
The untimely and violent nature of Farley’s death has left his community in mourning. His obituary highlights a life filled with outdoor passions like basketball, gaming, and rugby, along with a love for fishing and camping at his favorite spot, Boulder Lake. Farley also served in a religious mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
As the case progresses, the community awaits further developments, seeking justice for a life taken too soon.