Friday, July 31, 2015

Man Arrested For Child's Death


Toddler's Death Ruled Homicide

Mesa County, Colo. -- Deputies arrested Isaac Paul Ortiz, 21, of Grand Junction this evening in connection with the death of 2-year-old, Lyla Blackwood. Deputies and medical personnel with the Grand Junction Fire Department were called to the home of Ortiz and Blackwood's mother, on the night of July 29, 2015, for the child. She was reported unresponsive and rushed to a local hospital where she was pronounced deceased.

Dr. Dean Havlik, the Mesa County Coroner, conducted an autopsy, and today ruled Blackwood's death a homicide from blunt force injuries of the head and neck. Investigators obtained a no bond warrant for Ortiz's arrest on one count each of child abuse resulting in death (class 2 felony) and murder in the second degree (class 2 felony).


A booking photo will be provided here upon the completion of the booking process, which typically takes several hours. For updated information on any inmate currently in our detention facility, visit our Inmate Inquiry System webpage.

Media requesting the arrest affidavit should send an email to Heather Benjamin.

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Feature: School Resource Unit, Deputy Cannon

A Computer MacGyver Of Sorts & Kid Mentor

By Heather Benjamin, Mesa County Sheriff's Office

It has all the basics of a joke. 

Listen. 

Q: What does a Master Technician for Mobile Electronics, a software developer and a DUI specialist have in common? 

A: James Cannon, Mesa County Sheriff’s Office deputy extraordinaire.

If there is a problem, Cannon has a solution. If there is a leak, he has a patch. An idea? He makes it reality. 
MCSO Photo: Deputy James Cannon
July 2015

Meet Deputy James Cannon, MCSO School Resource Deputy.

"I wanted something different," he said.

That’s why he asked to be part of the school resource unit.

Kids are fun, he said, and he wanted a different experience in policing than what he had in patrol, which involved street crimes and working with the Drug Task Force.

After 10 years working as a certified Master Technician for Mobile Electronics, and self-taught software engineer, Cannon put himself through the Delta Police Academy and was hired as a Detention Deputy in 2004.

Cannon has written and developed two software programs for the Sheriff's Office. One program populates court dates and fines for the area's model traffic code and the other program organizes inmates in the booking area of the Detention Center, on a large reader board.

You are likely to find Cannon instructing at the local Police Academy on drunk driving investigations or performing roadside tests on a driver suspected to be under the influence of drugs. Later in his shift, he could be fighting wildfires, training a new hire or playing basketball on a recess break at one of his assigned schools.

Last school year, Cannon crafted the idea of having rewards for kids. He solicited donations from local businesses and money to buy water bottles adorned with the MCSO logo. The bottles go to kids who have great attendance or exceptional behavior or who do good deeds that might otherwise go unrecognized, etc. 

Students who earn the water bottles proudly carry them and use them all year, Cannon said. It’s a reward program that will carry on this school year; he just received a new shipment of water bottles.

Over the summer, while kids are out of school, Cannon would normally be assigned to a patrol team. 

But instead, the school resource deputies worked as their own unit, covering busy times on patrol and special assignments. That also gave Cannon time to make home visits to kids who could benefit from him as an ongoing role model. He looked forward to those home visits and said they were very productive for him and the kids.

He will continue to teach classes on Internet safety, police report writing and drug education in School District 51 facilities. If kids don't find him walking the halls or playing basketball, they should plan on having him in class as a guest teacher.

Cannon is assigned to the Grand Mesa Middle School, Fruitvale Elementary, Thunder Mountain Elementary, K-12 Christian Community School and the Christian Community Preschool.

You can contact Deputy James Cannon at James.Cannon@mesacounty.us



Tips From School District 51 Officials--



Back to School Checklist:

  • Register your child at their attendance-area school, birth certificate required
  • Have all required immunizations completed, available at Mesa County Health Department: http://health.mesacounty.us/clinics/template.aspx?id=3409&ekfxmensel=effecfb86_201_203
  • Plan ahead for transportation: how will your child get to and from school
  • Apply for free and reduced lunch: https://www.applyforlunch.com/Application
  • Look at lunches for the week and plan lunches from home
  • Pick-up school supplies
  • Have a fashion show and select clothes the night before
  • Transfer the school calendar to your family calendars
  • Reset sleep schedules and make sure kids get at least 8 hours of sleep each night
  • Practice your morning routine to make it fun and exciting
  • Plan time to meet your child’s teacher, but set an appointment if you need to discuss any specific issues or concerns



A comprehensive guide will distribute through the Sentinel and individual schools have/will contact registered parents directly. www.d51schools.org is the central repository of information.



Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Feature: School Resource Unit, Deputy Searcy

He Has the Energy & Enthusiasm

By Heather Benjamin, Mesa County Sheriff's Office

MCSO Photo: Deputy Chadd Searcy
July 2015
Deputy Chadd Searcy left the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office to pursue children's ministry from 2007 to 2013.

But two years ago, he returned to patrol and then within the last year he joined the school resource unit as a School Resource Deputy.

"I stay plenty busy," he said.

Searcy’s schools include Mt. Garfield and Lincoln Orchard Mesa Middle Schools and Clifton, Rocky Mountain and Chatfield Elementary Schools.

"All of my assigned elementary schools are Title 1, meaning the majority of kids and families in those schools qualify for free or reduced lunch," Searcy said.

Truancy and parent disputes are common issues he handles throughout the school year. He has also dealt with students bringing drugs such as marijuana and prescription pills to school.

Another area on which Searcy focuses is the safety of mentally and physically handicapped students. They can wander off, be destructive or hurt themselves or other students. These are some of the job duties many people don’t think about when it comes to school resource officers.

Fortunately, Searcy has strong relationships with school staff members.

“We work as a team," he said.

Searcy spends time teaching school staff members about what qualifies as a criminal violation, and he assists in delivering appropriate discipline for non-criminal charges. This works best when there is good communication between the School Resource Officer and the school staff, he said.

"We get creative in handling situations,” he said, “because they aren't always criminal (violations). And I enjoy having that team (relationship) with the school district employees."

The best part of his day?


"Going to my elementary schools,” he said. “You are their hero!"

And how long will he be a School Resource Officer?


"Until they won't let me do it anymore," he said. "I love working with the kids. The best thing is having a position of influence in a kid's life. That is why I do this job. Why I enjoy it."

A little background on Deputy Searcy:


"I was 17 when I went into the Marines,” he said. “It was eight days after I graduated high school and while in boot camp, I celebrated my 18th birthday."

It’s not everyone's dream birthday celebration, but for Searcy, the Marines gave him the ambition to develop a career. Before the Marines, he asked himself, "What will I do after high school?"

In his teens, one day he saw a shiny new Ford Bronco with Sheriff's Office stickers.

“I knew instantly that I wanted to a cop," he said.

Searcy served four years in the Marine Corps before returning to Grand Junction where he attended a local Police Academy on evenings and weekends. He graduated from the program and applied with the Mesa County Sheriff's Office.

"They wanted experience (for patrol deputies) so, they offered me a position in the jail," Searcy said.

That was March 1998.

This summer, besides working special assignments such as the Mesa County Fair, he also checked in on some students.

"I visited homes of kids this summer who I built rapport with," he said.

He wants them to know he truly cares about them and that they can trust him.

You can contact Deputy Chadd Searcy at Chadd.Searcy@mesacounty.us


Tips From School District 51 Officials--



  1. Lists of school supplies: https://connect.d51schools.org/sites/shared/Pages/Student-Fees-and-Supplies.aspx
  2. Student/Parent Handbook & Athletic forms: https://connect.d51schools.org/sites/shared/Pages/Forms.aspx
  3. Enrollment and Registration: https://connect.d51schools.org/sites/shared/Pages/registration.aspx
  4. Student Transportation: https://connect.d51schools.org/sites/shared/Pages/transportation.aspx


Back to School Checklist:


  • Register your child at their attendance-area school, birth certificate required
  • Have all required immunizations completed, available at Mesa County Health Department: http://health.mesacounty.us/clinics/template.aspx?id=3409&ekfxmensel=effecfb86_201_203
  • Plan ahead for transportation: how will your child get to and from school
  • Apply for free and reduced lunch: https://www.applyforlunch.com/Application
  • Look at lunches for the week and plan lunches from home
  • Pick-up school supplies
  • Have a fashion show and select clothes the night before
  • Transfer the school calendar to your family calendars
  • Reset sleep schedules and make sure kids get at least 8 hours of sleep each night
  • Practice your morning routine to make it fun and exciting
  • Plan time to meet your child’s teacher, but set an appointment if you need to discuss any specific issues or concerns

A comprehensive guide will distribute through the Sentinel and individual schools have/will contact registered parents directly. www.d51schools.org is the central repository of information.


Friday, July 24, 2015

Early Morning Stabbing Under Investigation, UPDATE

Juveniles Arrested For Early Morning Stabbing Incident

Update Provided July 31, 2015--


Mesa County, Colo. -- Yesterday at 8:26 p.m., deputies arrested Uriel A. Busani, 17, of Grand Junction on the same charges listed below in connection to burglary, assault, vehicular eluding and criminal mischief. Uriel was wanted in connection to his suspected involvement in the same burglary and assault case from last week, in Clifton.

Due to the nature of the felony charges, Uriel was screened into the Grand Mesa Youth Detention Facility.

Under Colorado Open Records Act, a booking photo of Uriel is not available for public release.



Previously Released on July 24, 2015--


Mesa County, Colo. -- Just before 2 :30 a.m., deputies were dispatched to the 400 block of Coronado Way, Clifton, on a report of an assault and burglary. Deputies located a female, age 17, who had a puncture wound to her right arm. She was transported to an area hospital for treatment. Her injury was not considered life threatening.

Through the course of investigation, deputies located two suspects from the burglary and assault incident in the 200 block of Linden Avenue, in Grand Junction. Alejandro Ortiz-Agustin, 17, and Oscar Geronimo Vasquez, 17, both of Grand Junction, were screened into the Grand Mesa Youth Detention Center on the following charges.

Oscar and Alejandro were charged with:

  • First degree burglary, class 3 felony
  • Second degree assault, class 4 felony
  • Vehicular Eluding, class 5 felony
  • Criminal mischief, misdemeanor
  • Consumption of alcohol, petty offense
A diligent citizen reported a suspicious vehicle in her backyard, in downtown Grand Junction this morning, leading investigators to the (suspected) car used to arrive and leave the Coronado scene. That vehicle was towed to the Mesa County Sheriff's Office impound lot and booked as evidence in this case.

Further updates will be provided as they are available. This case remains active and on-going.

Under Colorado Open Records Act, booking photos of Oscar and Alejandro are not available for public release.

WARNING: Significant River Hazard on Colorado River

Significant River Hazard In Colorado River, Downstream From Blue Heron

Mesa County, Colo. -- The Colorado River buckles and churns in many nooks and crannies right now, but one area stands out to deputies, prompting this public notice and warning. Multiple large cottonwood trees no longer stand tall, but have fallen into the river causing rafts and tubes to easily become entangled in the mighty debris field.

The exact location on the Colorado River is, 39 07.054, -108 41.219, and it's almost due south of 20 1/2 Road.

Those floating and recreating on the Colorado River downstream from the Blue Heron boat ramp should stay river right where the channel splits. It may be tempting to some to go river left, as this channel is typically too shallow for most of the year, but full enough currently to accommodate rafters. Getting down this channel is extremely dangerous right now though, due to the unstable debris field.


The hazard is a series of three obstructions (strainers) -- the first is a single cottonwood tree upon which a blue raft is currently pinned, the second is three large cottonwoods (approximately 30", 36" and 48" diameter) intertwined with one another and a final rootball snag with mostly older/dead limbs.

The main current flows through the trees and is likely to become more dangerous as the water level decreases.

"I would expect further narrowing of the channel as we saw from yesterday (July 23) to today with the main flow being concentrated toward the strainers," Deputy Ben Lawrence said.

The water depth throughout the hazard is approximately 4 to 6 feet with a very significant whirlpool at the downstream end, Deputy Lawrence said.

MEDIA--

B roll video is available for media use on our YouTube channel (MCSO PIO), credit: Mesa County Sheriff's Office. A folder of photos from the scene will be loaded on our Facebook page and they can be used for media purposes with proper credit, as well.

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Feature: School Resource Unit, Deputy Kean

From Military To Deputy, Best Assignment To Date

By Heather Benjamin, Mesa County Sheriff's Office

Start in Tennessee and go around the world in a 10 year time span. As a teen, Wayne Kean, went into the Navy in 1989, going on to serve in the First Gulf War. His naval unit was attached to the USS Doyle, from 1991-96. (The USS Doyle was a commissioned ship for 28 years, retiring in 2011.)

MCSO Photo: Deputy Wayne Kean
July 2015
"I've only had two real jobs in my whole life," Deputy Wayne Kean said. He added after 10 years in the Navy he has 17 years of service with the Mesa County Sheriff's Office. He is content with this employment path that now spans nearly 30 years.

When Deputy Kean left the Navy, he landed in Mesa County and within a few months was a detention deputy. He worked in the jail until 2006, when he was transferred to patrol.

His most current assignment?


School Resource Officer (SRO) covering schools in the Redlands, Appleton and from Loma to Gateway.

"My schools are spread out and I have more schools assigned to me..." than the other SROs at the Sheriff's Office. "But, I have the least call load," referring to dispatch directing him to schools for specific incidents.

He often works with Fruita Police Department and his most memorable school issues have dealt with bears and a mountain lion on school grounds. (Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!)

The first few days of school always have parents out of sorts in the pick-up lines and kids getting on the wrong bus or going home with friends. Deputy Kean expects a few calls from frantic parents in those early days of school going back into session, where their child wasn't on the bus home or didn't get off the bus at the correct stop. Within a few days, those issues work themselves out, he said.

Over the summer, he has ran into kids from his schools at the Mesa Mall and downtown Farmer's Market. Most are truly excited to see him and want a hug.

"When the kids hug me, I want to make sure parent's know who I am," he said, with a chuckle. The kids know who he is, but the parents usually don't. There can be an awkward moment or two until I introduce myself, he said.


His focus as a new school year starts? 


To continue to develop relationships and impact these kids in a positive way, he said. And, when football season starts he will insist the Broncos are a golf team whenever kids cheer for the blue and orange. Well, that's what he tells the kids anyway, because, clearly...he isn't a Denver Bronco fan.

You can email Deputy Wayne Kean, at: Wayne.Kean@mesacounty.us



Tips From School District 51 Officials--


  1. Lists of school supplies: https://connect.d51schools.org/sites/shared/Pages/Student-Fees-and-Supplies.aspx
  2. Student/Parent Handbook & Athletic forms: https://connect.d51schools.org/sites/shared/Pages/Forms.aspx
  3. Enrollment and Registration: https://connect.d51schools.org/sites/shared/Pages/registration.aspx
  4. Student Transportation: https://connect.d51schools.org/sites/shared/Pages/transportation.aspx

Back to School Checklist:

  • Register your child at their attendance-area school, birth certificate required
  • Have all required immunizations completed, available at Mesa County Health Department: http://health.mesacounty.us/clinics/template.aspx?id=3409&ekfxmensel=effecfb86_201_203
  • Plan ahead for transportation: how will your child get to and from school
  • Apply for free and reduced lunch: https://www.applyforlunch.com/Application
  • Look at lunches for the week and plan lunches from home
  • Pick-up school supplies
  • Have a fashion show and select clothes the night before
  • Transfer the school calendar to your family calendars
  • Reset sleep schedules and make sure kids get at least 8 hours of sleep each night
  • Practice your morning routine to make it fun and exciting
  • Plan time to meet your child’s teacher, but set an appointment if you need to discuss any specific issues or concerns




A comprehensive guide will distribute through the Sentinel and individual schools have/will contact registered parents directly. www.d51schools.org is the central repository of information.


Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Deputies Stop Crime Spree Across Mesa County

Marlin Rifle

Two Juveniles On Crime Spree, Arrested Yesterday

Mesa County, Colo. -- A diligent witness spotted two teenagers suspected of burglarizing the Kiwanis Club retreat, located atop the Grand Mesa, yesterday morning. Dispatch aired a description of the two males, along with the vehicle they were driving, a handgun in possession of one of the suspects and their last known direction of travel.

Deputies in the Rural Area unit traveled up the Grand Mesa from various access points, ultimately locating the teens on Highway 65, at the DeBeque cutoff. The white SUV they were driving had run out of gas and deputies were able to contact the two males in the immediate area.
Rugar .357 Hangun
Deputies arrested Tyrone Gibson, 17, and Caleb Neil, 16, both of Grand Junction. A Ruger .357 magnum handgun was located under the driver's seat of what turned out to be a stolen white SUV, from Fruita. In the backseat, a Marlin model 917vs 17HMR rifle was located.

Tyrone and Caleb were both charged with two counts of 2nd degree burglary, and one count each of theft, menacing with a deadly weapon, possession of a handgun by a juvenile, possession of drug paraphernalia, 1st degree trespass of an automobile and theft from auto. Due to their past criminal history and current charges, they were both screened into the Grand Mesa Youth Detention Center.

Under Colorado Open Records Act, booking photos of Tyrone and Caleb are not available for public release.

Feature: School Resource Unit, Deputy Espindola

Growing Up, He Never Saw Himself As A Cop

By Heather Benjamin, Mesa County Sheriff's Office
*Special Note: This originally ran in the Latino Alliance Newspaper

The chair can't have side rails or Deputy Sal Espindola won't be able to sit, not with his duty belt on anyway, to get comfortable for this interview. Fortunately, there are no arm rails, and so he makes himself comfortable for a conversation about how he got to Grand Junction.

"I was raised in a Hispanic household in south Phoenix," Espindola said.

MCSO Photo: Deputy Sal Espindola
June 2015

Did he always want to be a cop?


"I used to run from the cops (as a kid)," he said.

Espindola got average to poor grades in school and upon high school graduation was enrolled in the United States Marine Corps. He served eight years in the U.S. Marines, following in his father's footsteps. His father, also a Marine, is a Vietnam Veteran. He also served in the Gulf War and did two tours in Somalia, Africa.

In the military, though, the junior Espindola wasn't in a law enforcement role. Rather, he was a trained sniper in the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Division.

Once his military service ended, he returned to Phoenix for college. This time, he was getting A's for the first time in his life.

"I'm kind of a health nut," he said about himself today, but it also applied back in the early 2000's. Graduating from Arizona State University with a degree in kinesiology and physical education, he saw himself being a P.E. teacher in a Phoenix area school.

As an intern in college, he worked on writing grants for funds to create and sustain recreation centers and sports activities to keep inner city kids busy and out of trouble.

"That's how I got in touch with cops," he said about what began his connection to Phoenix Police Department.

He became a certified peace officer in 2006, in Arizona.

Espindola worked some schools as a rotating resource officer for Phoenix PD, where he enjoyed mentoring kids, challenging them to better themselves and to push themselves harder. He encouraged them never to consider race or ethnicity, but to be great because of skill and reputation.

Espindola served with the Phoenix PD until 2011 when he moved to Colorado.

Fate and family brought him to Mesa County in 2012, when he was also hired at the Mesa County Sheriff's Office. And, just late last year, he was offered a chance to work with kids again. This time, as a School Resource Officer at Central High School. He is proud to make an impact on kids. It shows in his smile and passion when he articulates the words, "They can see I don't come from money, I'm not anglo, I have tattoos."

Espindola has high personal fitness standards and when he sees kids work for it and want it, he will push them and mentor them. His family name is Hispanic, and he was raised in the Hispanic culture (he credits his stepmother and grandmother). But really his ethnicity and culture are extensively multi-racial.

When asked to be more specific, he said, closest to his heart is the military and law enforcement bond.

"When I was in the military, we had one color; it was green. Law enforcement has one color; it's blue," he said.


Every chance he gets these days, these are the positive influences he shares with the students at Central High School.

Where will students find him come August 3?


Before shift starts, he is in the Central High School gym working out, everyday. Then on to mentoring.

You can reach Deputy Sal Espindola, at: Sal.Espindola@mesacounty.us




Tips From School District 51 Officials--


  1. Lists of school supplies: https://connect.d51schools.org/sites/shared/Pages/Student-Fees-and-Supplies.aspx
  2. Student/Parent Handbook & Athletic forms: https://connect.d51schools.org/sites/shared/Pages/Forms.aspx
  3. Enrollment and Registration: https://connect.d51schools.org/sites/shared/Pages/registration.aspx
  4. Student Transportation: https://connect.d51schools.org/sites/shared/Pages/transportation.aspx

Back to School Checklist:

  • Register your child at their attendance-area school, birth certificate required
  • Have all required immunizations completed, available at Mesa County Health Department: http://health.mesacounty.us/clinics/template.aspx?id=3409&ekfxmensel=effecfb86_201_203
  • Plan ahead for transportation: how will your child get to and from school
  • Apply for free and reduced lunch: https://www.applyforlunch.com/Application
  • Look at lunches for the week and plan lunches from home
  • Pick-up school supplies
  • Have a fashion show and select clothes the night before
  • Transfer the school calendar to your family calendars
  • Reset sleep schedules and make sure kids get at least 8 hours of sleep each night
  • Practice your morning routine to make it fun and exciting
  • Plan time to meet your child’s teacher, but set an appointment if you need to discuss any specific issues or concerns


A comprehensive guide will distribute through the Sentinel and individual schools have/will contact registered parents directly. www.d51schools.org is the central repository of information.


Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Coffee With A Cop, Saturday Morning

Coffee With A Cop, Join Us!

Mesa County, Colo. -- It's open forum, no agenda, no speeches. Coffee with a cop is an event held by various law enforcement agencies across the country as a way to casually interact with citizens. This is the first time Sheriff Matt Lewis and staff are hosting such an event locally, and hope it's well received and attended.

CLICK HERE to view a short video invite.

McDonald's in Clifton is the site, for the Saturday, July 18, event. Citizens who want to meet their local deputy, have questions or concerns about anything from traffic and speeders, to how to visit an inmate currently in custody should join us for coffee! Deputies from all divisions will be on hand and are excited to meet citizens in this casual setting.

We have volunteer opportunities, conduct home checks when you are on vacation and a variety of other topics that we anticipate people want to know. Please consider join us, we hope to see you Saturday morning.


Sunday, July 12, 2015

Palisade Woman & Child Reported Missing (Update: Mystery Driver)

UPDATE: Unidentified Man Gave Mother & Toddler Ride Into Grand Junction


UPDATE/July 14, 2015 at 4:50 p.m. -- Investigators are looking for an adult male who is believed to have dropped Shannon and Luke Kunkel off in Grand Junction, late in the morning on July 13. This man, dropped them off at Latimer House. If this person could come forward and call 244-3266, they could provide invaluable information about where the mother and son were originally found, where Shannon's car is located, etc. Shannon, thus far, has not been able to provide investigators with these details.


UPDATE/July 13, 2015 at 10:50 a.m. -- Shannon and Luke have been located and are okay. Investigators are on their way to meet with her, here in Grand Junction. We will provide an update as information becomes available. THANK YOU to everyone who has shared this information, and provided support and good thoughts to Shannon, Luke and their family.


Woman & Toddler Last Seen Saturday Night

Previously Released on July 12, 2015

Mesa County, Colo. -- Deputies were called to a home outside the city limits of Palisade by the parents of Shannon Kunkel, 34, to report her missing along with her toddler son. The 1 1/2 year old, Luke Kunkel, II, is assumed to be in the care of his mother, Shannon. Her vehicle is also missing, and likely the two are traveling in the 1992 Toyota Camry passenger car.

The vehicle is blue and has duct tape on the front right light. The Colorado license plates is: 180 GMQ. The attached photos were provided by her family and can be used by media to share this message.


Shannon is described as weighing about 200 pounds, 5'4" tall, with brown hair that has blonde ends and is likely in a pony tail. Shannon has a tattoo of a scorpion on her left forearm, just above her wrist.

Shannon has medical concerns that make her absence alarming. This is NOT a child abduction case, which is why is does not qualify for an Amber Alert. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation released a media advisory this morning on this case. You can view that advisory here. (Please note in the CBI advisory, the media contact number is incorrect. The correct media contact is listed on the right column of this site.)

Anyone who sees Shannon and Luke, or has seen them, should report it to our local dispatch at: (970) 242-6707.

Updates will be provided as they become available. To get automatic updates from this blog site, enroll your email address in the top right box to get the next blog post direct in your email box.

Friday, July 10, 2015

Deputies & GJPD On-Scene This Morning In Clifton, Felony Menacing

Felony Menacing This Morning, Included Shots Fired

Russell Cochran, 25
June 2015 MCSO Photo
Mesa County, Colo. -- Dispatch received the initial call at 5:36 a.m., that shots were fired in the area of 32 1/8 and D 1/2 Roads, Clifton. No injuries were reported, but deputies and officers with the Grand Junction Police Department responded to the area immediately.

Gerald Jordan, 20
June 2014 MCSO Photo
Law enforcement were able to gather information from various witnesses, that directed them to the residence at 492 Mountain Vista Drive, Clifton. Deputies attempted to make contact with the people inside that house, but initially deputies received no response. SWAT Team members from both agencies were called to the scene, along with trained negotiators from the Sheriff's Office.

Agency negotiators started working and two adults exited the home. A short time later, four additional people exited the residence without incident. Negotiations were successful, with no injuries to anyone. Five of the 6 people were initially detained as deputies sorted out their possible connection to the earlier reported incident on 32 1/8 Road. (Click here to watch a short video from the scene.)

Walker Walgenbach, 20
June 2015 MCSO Photo
The shelter in place for immediate area homes on Mountain Vista Drive has been lifted. All units have cleared the area except a few deputies processing the Mountain Vista home. Grand Junction Police Department and Clifton Fire Department assisted with this incident, all of their units have cleared the scene.

At this time, Gerald Jordan, 20, is being booked into the Mesa County Detention Facility on an outstanding warrant; Walker Walgenbach, 20, is being booked into the jail on a restraining order violation charge; Russell Cochran, 25, is being booked into the jail on multiple charges of felony menacing, reckless endangerment, 3rd degree assault, prohibited use of a weapon and domestic violence enhancer; and, Sophia Rogers, 20, is being booked into the jail on charges related to being an accomplice to felony menacing.

Sophia Rogers, 20
The investigation is active and on-going, with additional people and additional charges possible. Updates will be provided as they become available. For a list of official charges and bond update information, search any current inmate in our facility on our Inmate Inquiry System website.

Images from the scene can be used with credit given to the Mesa County Sheriff's Office, with additional scene photos located on the Sheriff's Office Facebook page.



492 Mountain Vista Drive, Clifton: Final occupants of the
home exiting without incident. Negotiators on-scene were successful,
no injuries to anyone.

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

BLM: Fire Restrictions Begin Friday In McInnis Canyons

Fire Restrictions begin Friday in McInnis Canyons NCA Colorado River Corridor

NEWS RELEASE
July 8, 2015

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Fire restrictions will begin Friday in portions of the Bureau of Land Management McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area in western Colorado. Fire restrictions will affect campers floating the Colorado River between the Loma boat ramp and the Utah border. Fires are currently restricted to fire pans for this stretch of river. Beginning Friday, the use of fires along the Colorado River in McInnis Canyons NCA will be unlawful. Cooking stoves equipped with an on-off switch remain legal.

“We’re concerned about the inherent dry nature of this area as we approach a time when a lot of fuels are cured and available to burn and spread quickly,” said Andy Windsor, acting McInnis Canyons NCA manager. Light fuels for wildfires, such as cured grasses, can dry quickly following rain and readily carry fire.

According to Windsor, the remoteness of this area makes swift response difficult and small fires can quickly grow and damage years of work. “We have a huge investment in riparian restoration along the river that can quickly be destroyed by fire. Cottonwood galleries are valued by campers for shade, which is very limited in that hot, dry landscape.”

Camping in the area covered by the fire restrictions is by permit only. Use of fire beginning 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 10, is a violation of fire restrictions and will result in penalties for violation of permit rules. Individuals responsible for wildfire can be held responsible for damages. Violation of fire restrictions is punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment of not more than 12 months or both.

This restriction does not apply to other public lands in northwestern Colorado. Fire officials urge extreme caution with any burning in these areas as fuels continue to dry.

###

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Felony Menacing, Child Sexual Enticement Top Recent Arrests

Recent Arrests Include Child Enticement & Felony Menacing

Christopher Eraker, 28
MCSO Photo
Mesa County, Colo. -- At 8 p.m. last night, traffic came to a stand still for a brief time at 30 Road and the I-70 Business Loop after 28-year-old Christopher Eraker, of Grand Junction, was hit by car there. Multiple witnesses told deputies Christopher ran in front of the vehicle and appeared to possibly attempt to jump over the car. Instead, the windshield was crushed and his leg likely went through the glass. The driver and passenger of the Mazda Miata were very shaken-up, but otherwise reported no injuries.

When deputies arrived on-scene, Christopher was receiving some care from passersby and was shortly thereafter transported to an area hospital. Christopher was previously released from jail on bond, June 29, after being charged with criminal mischief, criminal trespass and criminal tampering.

Duane Tsosie, 39
MCSO Photo
Last night, is suspected of breaking out a bus rear window with a metal pole and damaging the window wipers on the same vehicle. He also is suspected of attacking, punching and striking an adult male, all in the area of 30 Road and I-70 Business Loop (followed by running into traffic). He was arrested and booked into jail on charges related to assault, felony menacing, criminal mischief, reckless endangerment and jaywalking.

On Sunday, July 5, just before 8 p.m., deputies were called to a suspicious male in the Kimwood Park area of Clifton. Deputies contacted Duane Tsosie, 39, of Grand Junction, who later told an agency investigator that he did urinate in the park (no restrooms are on-site) and he asked a juvenile male to have sex with him.

Marilyn Charlesworth, 56
MCSO Photo
Duane was booked into the Mesa County Detention Facility on one count each of enticement of a child, sex assault on a child and criminal attempt. All charges are felonies and he remains in custody on a $10,000 cash only bond.

For updated bond information or charges on any inmate currently in our Detention Facility, visit our Inmate Inquiry System webpage.

Also, recent news stories have covered the conviction of Marilyn Charlesworth. She was sentenced to ten days in the Mesa County Detention Facility. She reported to jail, as required, in the early morning hours of Monday, July 6, 2015. Her booking photo is available here.


Wednesday, July 1, 2015

SCAM Warning: Local Photographers Targetted

The Event Is Usually A Family Reunion, The Scam Is The Same Overpayment

Mesa County, Colo. -- The overpayment scam is circling the the communities across America right now, with one local photographer letting us know she was contacted by email. The scam can start with a phone call or email, requesting a photographer for an event, usually a family reunion. Whatever the large scale event the consumer is requesting services for, they end up connecting the business with an "event planner" to continue the transaction.

A large payment is made to the photographer, they are asked to take out the payment for their services and then forward on the remaining overpayment to the event planner. The sample email below outlines a recent email solicitation that likely was the beginning of an attempt to complete an overpayment scam. Notice the many grammar errors, like the period in the name signature, family is capitalized, the "I" is lower case, etc. These are initial red flags and should immediately cause the recipient to be cautious in further contact.

In the end, the legitimate photographer/business makes a deposit into their account and passes along the excess payment to the third party, before the photographer finds out the original payment was bogus. When this scam is successful, the third party who received the overpayment is long gone and identifying a suspect is nearly impossible.

Idaho Better Business Bureau recently did a news highlight of this type of scam, click here to watch the three minute news segment. In this video clip are also great tips on how to vet potential customers/scammers.

SCAM EMAIL SAMPLE

From: c.derek54@gmail.com [mailto:c.derek54@gmail.com] On Behalf Of Krystal Collins
Sent: Wednesday, June 3, 2015 5:04 PM
To: xxxxxx@xxxx.com
Subject: Family Reunion Event

Hi!

My name is Krystal Collins. My Family reunion is coming up and i want you capture the memorable event. Also, do you accept credit card as a form of payment?

Regards,
Krystal.

Woman Arrested On Child Abuse Charges

Woman So Drunk She Can't Talk, Three Kids In Her Care

Mesa County, Colo. -- Yesterday evening, deputies were dispatched to a park in the area of 32 1/2 and D 1/2 Roads, in Clifton, for a reported adult female excessively intoxicated. Deputies found the woman, Amberly Roswell, 31, of Grand Junction, only able to mumble unintelligible words/sounds. Three children, ranging in age from 2 to 6 years old, were thirsty and placed in an air conditioned vehicle by deputies after it was determined they were associated with Amberly. 

The vehicle on-site within Amberly immediate location had empty soda cans, trash and dirty diapers in it, as noted by deputies in their arrest report. A half empty bottle of vodka was also found inside the vehicle. Deputies had Department of Human Services caseworkers respond to the scene to appropriately care for the children while Amberly was transported by ambulance to an area hospital due to her level of intoxication.

According to court records, Amberly is restrained from consuming alcohol or illegal controlled substances from a prior DUI conviction (in 2013). She was combative with deputies and the Clifton Fire Department (ambulance crew). She was booked into the Mesa County Detention Facility on charges associated with child abuse, violation of a protection order and driving under restraint because of previous DUI.

A booking photo is not currently available, but will be posted here when it becomes available. For updated bond information on any inmate currently in our detention facility, visit our Inmate Inquiry System webpage.