Housing Inmates With Additional Needs

Steven Spiess, Booked Into Mesa County Jail

Released by Sheriff Matt Lewis and Captain Art Smith...

Mesa County, Colo. -- The Fruita Police Department released the arrest warrant for Steven Spiess, 47, of Fruita, after he was officially arrested by the Fruita Police Department this morning. Following his arrest on charges related to the death of Danya Spiess, he was immediately booked into the Mesa County Detention Facility.

Due to his current medical needs, outlined in his arrest affidavit, his housing and care will be handled appropriately, but outside of normal procedures. For safety and security reasons, the specifics of his housing will not be released. As for his medical care while in our custody, due to HIPPA, we will not provide specific medical information other than to acknowledge his medical needs are extensive in comparison to an able bodied and fully functioning adult. 

Our detention facility has 24-hour on-site medical staff prepared to care for his daily needs and requirements. As with any inmate, in the event his medical needs exceed our staff's abilities, we will seek appropriate medical care outside of our facility.

For information about Steven's charges or the case investigated by the Fruita Police Department, please contact them directly or the District Attorney.

A Free Class For Parents: Social Media Apps & SmartPhone Safety

Parents: Get Educated With Free Class

Mesa County, Colo. -- Community Outreach Deputy Chad Williams is once again hosting a free community class for parents, focusing on social media apps and SmartPhone Safety. If you have a middle school age or teenage child, this class shouldn't be missed!

The class will be held at the Mesa County Central Library, community classroom, on Tuesday, April 7, at 6:30 p.m. The Central Library is located at 453 North 6th Street, in Grand Junction.

There is no cost and this class is open to the public. If you have any questions, specific to this class, please email Deputy Williams directly, at: Chad.Williams@mesacounty.us

MEDIA NOTE: Deputy Williams will be available in advance for interviews about this class. He will also be available at the beginning and conclusion of this class, to directly handle any media needs. Advance arrangements should be made through the agency's PIO or contact Deputy Williams on-site at the Library.

Recent Arrests Re-Capped

Melissa Pruitt, 31, of GJ

Recent Arrests Include Meth Possession, Etc.

Mesa County, Colo. -- Deputies with the Street Crimes Unit arrested Melissa Pruitt, 31, of Grand Junction, on charges related to possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was arrested in the 3100 block of Brownie Circle, Clifton, on Friday afternoon. She remains in custody on a $50,000 surety bond.

Richard Garcia, 26, of GJ

In the early morning hours of Saturday, Richard Garcia, 26, of Grand Junction, was arrested by patrol deputies for child abuse-no injury, second degree burglary and criminal mischief, after deputies were dispatched to a vandalism in progress in the 400 block of Lois Street, Clifton. Richard remains in the Mesa County Detention Facility, being held on a $5,000 cash only bond.

Bruce Blaisdell, 32, of Clifton

A patrol deputy contacted Bruce Blaisdell, 32, of Clifton, on Saturday afternoon for driving without a valid driver's license. Bruce also had an active warrant for his arrest out of Garfield County. In addition to being booked into the jail on the warrant,  he was also charged with multiple driving offenses, possession of drug paraphernalia and charges related to more than 9 grams of methamphetamine/distribution (equivalent to about 36 individual amounts). Bruce remains in custody on a $15,000 cash only bond and a $1,000 cash or surety bond, at this time.

Landon Thomas, 28, of OK

A patrol sergeant contacted Landon Thomas, 28, of Oklahoma, in the area of 32 and D 1/2 Roads, Clifton, on Sunday morning. Landon initially told the sergeant his vehicle had ran out of gas and then admitted to hitting a truck with his car and fleeing the scene. Ultimately, Colorado State Patrol investigated a hit and run incident believed to be connected to Landon. He was charged with multiple driving offenses, possession of drug paraphernalia and two counts of possession of a schedule I/II for lose prescription pills found in his possession. He posted a $1,000 PR bond this morning and is no longer in custody.

Julie Hyatt, 40, Homeless

Also Sunday morning, patrol deputies were called to a home in the 2900 block of Jon Hall, Grand Junction for a trespass in progress. Ultimately, deputies arrested Julie Hyatt, 40, homeless on 1st degree criminal trespass, violation of bail bond conditions (she was on a felony bond), possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of methamphetamine. Julie received a $5,000 PR bond and is scheduled to appear next in court on April 9, at 8 a.m.

To view daily jail bookings and releases, visit this website. Also, for bond information, charges and more details related to any inmate currently in the Mesa County Detention Facility, visit our Inmate Inquiry webpage.

SWAT Standoff at Clifton Residence

Wanted man taken into custody by Mesa County SWAT

Matthew Bratcher, 23

Mesa County, Colo. -- Today at about 12:35 p.m. deputies responded to 3192 N Torreys Peak in attempt to locate 23-year-old Matthew Bratcher who was wanted for warrants.  A woman at the residence told deputies Matthew was inside and he may be armed and agreed to let deputies inside the house to look for him.

While searching the home deputies observed an empty holster for a handgun in plain view and found Matthew had barricaded himself inside the bathroom, which prompted a SWAT response.  As Bratcher has a recent history of fleeing from deputies, Chatfield Elementary was placed on lockdown and students at other schools were held at their schools for those whose bus stops were near Torreys Peak.

At about 4:00 p.m., after repeated attempts by deputies to communicate with Bratcher were met with no response, gas was deployed into the residence.  Within minutes, Matthew came out of the house, gave up and he was taken into custody without resistance and without anyone being injured.

Kelly Myers Case Transferred To Utah Agency

Kelly Myers Death Investigation Transferred To Utah Agency

Mesa County, Colo. -- As of Friday, March 13, 2015, the death investigation of Kelly Myers has been transferred to the West Valley City Police Department, located in Utah. The case remains active and on-going. Anyone with information about this case should call the West Valley City Police Department dispatch line (801) 840-4000.

Our agency will remain involved in the case in an assist capacity for WVCPD, as needed. All media inquiries should be directed to Roxeanne Vainuku, at: (801) 509-1375 or roxeanne.vainuku@wvc-ut.gov. To obtain information on this case provided by WVCPD on March 18, click here.

For the previously released information about the death investigation of Kelly Myers, click here.

Man Wanted On Sexual Assault Charges, Girlfriend Arrested

WANTED: Andrew Salazar, 28

GJ Man Wanted For Sexual Assault

Mesa County, Colo. -- Andrew C. Salazar, 28, of Grand Junction, has ties to the Price, Utah area, and is currently wanted on two counts of sexual assault with a crime of violence enhancer. Andrew was previously booked into the Mesa County Detention Facility on February 17, 2015, on probation violations and new charges stemming from a motor vehicle theft investigation conducted by the Grand Junction Police Department.

Shelby Castonguay
35, of Grand Jct.

Andrew's girlfriend, Shelby Castonguay, 35, of Grand Junction, was arrested in connection to the same sexual assault case as Andrew's active warrant charges, on Thursday, March 12. Shelby was booked on two counts of complicity to commit sexual assault along with a sentence enhancer of complicity to commit a crime of violence. Shelby posted a $50,000 cash bond on March 13 and was released from jail. She is scheduled to next appear in court on this case, March 18, at 8:30 a.m.

 Anyone with information on Andrew's whereabouts should call non-emergency dispatch at: (970) 242-6707, or Investigator Burg, at: (970) 244-3263.

Undersheriff Spiess Picked To Be Next Public Safety Deputy Director

Undersheriff Spiess Leaves Our Agency For Public Safety

Mesa County, Colo. -- On Friday, Colorado Department of Public Safety Executive Director, Stan Hilkey, announced the retirement of his Deputy Executive Director, Kathy Sasak and his choice for the next person to fill that position. Director Hilkey's choice, our Undersheriff Rebecca Spiess, who will have her last day with our agency in early May.

Sheriff Matt Lewis had this to say this about Rebecca leaving our agency, "I have the utmost respect and admiration for her, the way she conducts herself, and the leadership she has provided to the Mesa County Sheriff's Office. She has served in our organization in numerous capacities including as Sheriff. Her tremendous historical organizational knowledge and experience has been a source of stability and strength for the Mesa County Sheriff's Office and me personally as I have made the transition to the role of Sheriff. She will be missed greatly."


Sheriff Lewis went on to say, "Having said all of this, I am also very excited for her receiving this opportunity to be an integral part of public safety leadership for the State of Colorado. I believe this new position will challenge her in new and different ways and is most certainly a recognition of her talents that we have all come to know and enjoy."

Sheriff Lewis will now begin the process to fill the Undersheriff position.

We Are Out For Blood

Police, Law Enforcement, Deputies...We Are Out For Blood!

Mesa County, Colo. -- Are you a healthy adult in Mesa County? Do you have a desire to give back to this community in some way? Well, do we have a deal for you! Join us in a friendly competition of Police vs. Fire, in an effort to increase the donate blood at the St. Mary's Regional Blood Center--this competition is open to the public, and POLICE (meaning us!!) want to win! So, we have sweetened the deal for the first 300 people who donate blood for police, you will get a $1.00 off Gelato Junction coupon. We thank Gelato Junction for their generous support of law enforcement!

The Blood Center, is always looking for all types of blood and O-, is universal, so everyone healthy and over 18, is welcome. There are several blood mobile locations to donate throughout Mesa County, between March 16 and 28, 2015, or you can donate at the Blood Center, located at 750 Wellington Avenue (use entrance 22), Grand Junction, anytime they are open.

When you donate, be sure to tell them you are doing so on behalf of POLICE, so we get the credit for your donation. If the POLICE beat the Fire Team, a sizeable donation will be made to the Western Slope Center for Children.

Thank you for sharing and encouraging others to participate in this worthwhile event, schedule March 16 through March 28, 2015.

Four South Dakota Residents Arrested, Meth Related Charges

Luke Dvoracek, 22
Mission, South Dakota

One Traffic Stop, Four Arrested 

All Meth Related 

Mesa County, Colo. -- Last night just before 11 p.m., patrol deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the area of the I-70 Business Loop and Harmony Lane, Grand Junction. The four adults were inconsistent in their description of what they were doing and where they were going, as well as who they were.

Preston Good-Buffalo, 26
Mission, South Dakota

The four adults in the vehicle were arrested and booked into the Mesa County Detention Facility on charges related to possession of methamphetamine (schedule I/II), possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and criminal attempt. Deputies eventually learned the four were likely headed to Arizona to purchase additional methamphetamine, and were enroute there from South Dakota.

Seth Larvie, 23
Rapid City, South Dakota

In addition to the above charges, the driver, Luke Dvoracek, 22, of Mission, SD, was charged with driving without a valid license, not possessing insurance and license plate improperly displayed. Windy Soldier, 37, of Rosebud, SD, initially claimed to be her sister but was identified through fingerprints. She was charged with a criminal impersonation charge.

Windy Soldier, 37
Rosebud, South Dakota

The other two passengers were Seth Larvie, 23, of Rapid City, SD and Preston Good-Buffalo, 26, of Mission, SD. They all are scheduled to appear in court next on March 17, 2015, at 8 a.m. Windy received a $10,000 cash only bond and is currently being held on a US Marshal hold. Luke received a $10,000 cash or surety bond, and both Preston and Seth received a $5,000 PR bond.

For more information about any inmate currently in our jail facility, visit our Inmate Inquiry System webpage.

Sheriff Comments On Legal Challenge To Amendment 64

Sheriff Lewis Comments On Marijuana Lawsuit

Mesa County Sheriff Matt Lewis,
elected to office in November 2014

Direct from the desk of Sheriff Matt Lewis...

I am pleased to have the opportunity to comment on the recently filed challenge to the constitutionality of Amendment 64, a complex issue. Like the other sheriffs who are party to the lawsuit, I believe it creates a quandary as to whether federal or state, takes precedence when determining the enforcement priorities for Mesa County.

While I respect the electoral process used to amend our state constitution and legalize recreational marijuana, this outcome has created unexpected consequences. Subsequently, Mesa County and many other areas in our state have scrambled to deal with those consequences.

I am encouraged about the filing of this lawsuit as I see it as an appropriate use of our judicial system to rule on the legal issue regarding the conflict between the State of Colorado and the federal government. I am hopeful the lawsuit will result in this issue being heard and resolved.

I am committed to being responsive to the citizens of Mesa County and realize we, the voters of Mesa County, did not vote to support Amendment 64. Regardless, our state constitution was amended and recreational marijuana was legalized. As we follow this lawsuit, the Mesa County Sheriff Office’s will continue to uphold the Colorado Constitution and will respect the changes enacted after a vote of the people.

-ML

Fruita PD Investigates Suspicious Incident

Fruita PD Releases Information About Suspicious Incident