Tuesday, December 24, 2019

Early Morning Homicide

Aaron Carpenter, 33,
MCSO Photo 12-24-19

#UPDATE:  December 24, 2019
The Mesa County Coroner’s Office has completed its examination regarding the death of Brianna Carpenter, a 28 year-old female resident of Grand Junction, Colorado. Mrs.Carpenter was the victim of the early morning shooting on December 24, 2019 in the 2900 Block of Sandra Avenue. The cause of death is gunshot wound of the abdomen and the manner of death is homicide.

No further information is expected to be released at this time, the case remains under investigation.


#Previously Released:
December 24, 2019, At approximately 7:20 am, Mesa County Sheriff's Deputies were dispatched to a call of shots fired in the 2900 Block of Sandra Avenue.

 Deputies arrived and began CPR on the victim until EMT’s arrived. The 28 year old female victim was transported to St. Mary’s hospital where she was pronounced deceased.

Investigators arrested Aaron Carpenter, age 33, of Grand Junction, on the following charges:

Murder in the first degree
First degree assault

The coroner will release the victim’s identity and cause and manner of death at the conclusion of their investigation.

Deputies remain on scene continuing their investigation. This has been determined to be an isolated incident.


*Note the booking photo has been updated

Monday, December 23, 2019

Inmate found unresponsive

#Update December 30, 2019: 

The Mesa County Coroner’s Office has completed its examination regarding the death of Jeffrey Beagley, a 34 year-old male resident of Grand Junction, Colorado. Mr. Beagley was the male found unresponsive in his cell at the jail and later passed at a local hospital on December 23, 2019. He was found hanging in his cell, which he was the sole occupant. Jail footage was viewed and it was clear that no other persons entered the cell from the last time he was seen moving around and when he was found hanging. The cause of death is hanging and the manner is suicide.

This case is still under investigation by the Mesa County Sheriff's Office.


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#Update December 24, 2019: The Mesa County Coroner’s Office has completed its examination regarding the death of Jeffrey Beagley, a 34 year-old male resident of Grand Junction, Colorado.

Mr. Beagley was the male found unresponsive in his cell at the jail and later passed at a local hospital on December 23, 2019. The cause and manner of death is still pending at this time. There does not appear to be anything suspicious at this time and toxicology is pending.


#Previously released: December 23, 2019
MESA COUNTY, Colo – At approximately 5:30 this morning a male inmate in the Mesa County Detention Facility was found unresponsive in his cell by staff during routine security checks. Deputies and nursing staff immediately rendered aid and performed CPR. Emergency medical services (EMS) were also dispatched.

The inmate was transported to St. Mary's hospital. He was pronounced deceased just before 2 pm.

At this time, the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office and Mesa County Coroner’s Office are investigating.

The Mesa County Coroner’s Office will determine the cause and manner of death. The Coroner’s Office will also release the inmate’s identity after next of kin has been notified.

Friday, December 20, 2019

Two wanted after chase

Lydia Campbell, 26
Emilio Cordova, 21
#Update: Both are now in custody.

Previous:
MESA COUNTY, Colo – The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office is looking for two people who ran from deputies this afternoon.

Emilio Cordova, 21, and Lydia Campbell, 26, are considered armed and dangerous. If seen, do not approach and call 911 immediately

Cordova has two active warrants including a felony warrant out of the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office.

Around 2: 20 this afternoon deputies attempted a traffic stop on a white passenger car with two occupants in the area of Anna Court and William Drive. The car did not stop. Deputies attempted to stop the car using a tactical vehicle intervention (TVI) maneuver. It was not successful and the car continued on at a high rate of speed.

Deputies performed a tactical vehicle intervention (TVI) to bring the vehicle to a stop in the area of 32 ½ Road and D Road. A male and female got out of the car and ran into the area of the Candlewood Trailer Park.

Residences in the area were sent a Community Notification to shelter in place. Even though most students had already left of the day, Chatfield and Rocky Mountain Elementary School was placed into a Shelter in Place as a precaution for staff still on campus. The shelter in place has since been lifted.

Colorado State Patrol, Grand Junction Police Department, GJPD’s K9 unit, US Marshals, FBI, ATF, Parole and Colorado Parks and Wildlife also assisted.

Charges from today’s incident are still under investigation. No injuries were reported.

Thursday, December 19, 2019

Inmate Found Unresponsive


1/2/2020 Update: The Mesa County Coroner’s Office has completed its examination regarding the death of Brittany Matthews, a 36-year-old female resident of Grand Junction, Colorado. Ms. Matthews was the inmate found unresponsive the morning of December 19, 2019. Her cause of death is complications of chronic alcoholism and the manner is natural.








Previous:

12/20/19 Update: The Mesa County Coroner's Office has identified the inmate found unresponsive in the Mesa County Detention Facility Thursday as 36-year-old Brittany Matthews of Grand Junction. According to the Coroner's Office toxicology is pending at this time, but there were no injuries found during the autopsy and it does not appear to be suspicious in nature.

The case is still under investigation





Previous:

MESA COUNTY, Colo – Just before 7:00 this morning a female inmate in the Mesa County Detention Facility was found unresponsive in her cell in booking by staff when attempting to serve the morning meal. Deputies and nursing staff immediately rendered aid and performed CPR. Emergency medical services (EMS) were also dispatched.

Multiple attempts at resuscitation by jail staff and EMS personnel were unsuccessful. She was later pronounced deceased.

At this time, the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office and Mesa County Coroner’s Office are investigating.

The Mesa County Coroner’s Office will determine the cause and manner of death. The Coroner’s Office will also release the inmate’s identity after next of kin has been notified.

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

One arrested after standoff in Redlands

Gene Gana, 51
MCSO Photo 10-24-19
MESA COUNTY, Colo – Mesa County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Gene Gana, 51, of Grand Junction this afternoon following an hours-long standoff at a home on the 2100 block of Broadway.

Gana had two active warrants for his arrest, a Felony warrant out of the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office and a Parole violation from the Department of Corrections. When deputies attempted to contact Gana at the residence, he barricaded himself inside and refused to come out. Mesa County Sheriff’s Office and Grand Junction Police Department combined SWAT team was called in to assist.

Out of an abundance of caution Broadway Elementary School and Redlands Middle School was put into a shelter in place. A community notification asking residents to shelter in place was also sent to homes within a ¼ mile of the area. The shelter in place has since been lifted.

After about 2 and a half hours, Gana came out of the home and was taken into custody without further incident. Gana was booked into the Mesa County Detention Facility.

We encourage the public to sign up for community notifications. Landlines are automatically signed up. If you wish you sign up your cellphone for the county wide system click here.

Two arrested on multiple child abuse charges

Cory Nash, 28
MCSO Photo 12-17-19
Forrest Nash, 32
MCSO Photo 12-18-19
MESA COUNTY, Colo - Tuesday, Forrest Nash and Cory Nash, both of Grand Junction, were taken into custody after a warrant was obtained for their arrest.

Just after midnight on November 30, 2019, deputies began investingating a report of child abuse after a young child was brought to St. Mary’s Hospital in critical condition. The child was suspected to have ingested an amount of marijuana that led to life threatening complications and was flown to Salt Lake City Children’s Hospital for emergency care. The child is now recovering.

Upon further investigation additional incidents of child abuse involving 5 other children ranging in age from 8-13 were alleged to have occurred between January 2019 and November 2019.

Forrest Nash, 32, is facing the following charges:
  • Child Abuse Knowing or Reckless with Serious Bodily Injury (F3)
  • 5 Counts of Child Abuse Knowing or Reckless with Injury (M1)
  • 5 Counts of Child Abuse Knowing or Reckless with No Injury (M2)
  • 2 Counts of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor (F4)
  • 2 Counts of Dispensing Marijuana to a Minor (DF4)

Cory Nash, 28, is facing the following charges:
  • Child Abuse Knowing or Reckless with Serious Bodily Injury (F3)
  • 5 Counts of Child Abuse Knowing or Reckless with Injury (M1)
  • 5 Counts of Child Abuse Knowing or Reckless with No Injury (M2)
  • 2 Counts of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor (F4)
Cory Nash and Forrest Nash are currently being held at the Mesa County Detention Facility. For updated bond amounts visit our website.

This remains an on-going investigation.

*Note this release was edited for clarity

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Arrest made in recent auto theft and car break-ins in Orchard Mesa


Rodion Hightower, 24
MCSO Photo 12-10-19
MESA COUNTY, Colo - Rodion Hightower, 24, of Grand Junction was taken into custody Tuesday after a warrant was obtained for his arrest.

Hightower is facing the following charges:
  • First Degree Aggravated Motor Vehicle Theft (F4)
  • Fraud – Identity Theft – Uses Info to Obtain (F4)
  • 6 Counts of First Degree Criminal Trespass of Auto (F5)
  • Criminal Impersonation (F6)
  • Criminal Possession of a Financial Device (F6)
  • Theft $750-$2,000 (M1)
  • Theft $350-$750 (M2)
  • Unauthorized Use of a Financial Transaction Device
Surveillance footage 
The charges stem from several theft from autos and an auto theft that occurred between 11/30/2019 and 12/05/2019 in the Orchard Mesa area between 28 and 28 ½ Roads. Surveillance footage from Rimrock Walmart showed a white male wearing an Alice in Wonderland  hooded sweatshirt attempting to make a purchase with a credit card stolen from one of the vehicles. Photos were released to the public via social media in an attempt to identify the subject. Numerous tips were sent in and investigators confirmed the subject’s identity to be Rodion Hightower.

Hightower is currently being housed in the Mesa County Detention Facility. For updated bond amounts visit our website.

The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the public for sending in tips. Remember tips or information about any crime can be reported anytime to Mesa County Crime Stoppers at (970) 241-STOP.

Friday, December 6, 2019

MCSO investigating a suspicious incident

Monday 12-9-19 Update:  Deputies have identified and contacted this person. At this point in the investigation, deputies are still working to determine if he is the source of the sharp object the student found in their backpack. The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office believes this is an isolated incident. No other incidents have been reported.

We want to encourage parents to talk to their students when they are walking to and from school to pay attention to their surroundings. If they see something that is not right, run away and tell a trusted adult or call 911. Remember students can also make reports through Safe2Tell.

This incident remains under investigation.

Deputies would like to
speak with this person. 


Previous:
MESA COUNTY, Colo – On Wednesday afternoon a Mesa County Sheriff’s deputy assigned as a School Resource Office began investigating a report of a possible assault of a student on the way to school at Nisley Elementary School.

A student told deputies when they were walking to school that morning with their sibling on 28 ¾ Road on the sidewalk, a man bumped into their sibling and then struck the student on the backpack. The man then continued to walk away from them. No one was hurt.

Later in the day, the student discovered a rip in their backpack and found an extendable razor blade inside. Another student told a school counselor what happened and they called the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office.

As part of the investigation into the incident, a School Resource Officer was in the area the next day looking for the person in question and talking to potential witnesses. The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office is working in partnership with School District 51 Security to determine how the sharp object got into the student’s backpack. Deputies are also working with local businesses to locate surveillance video of the person.

The student described person is described as a white male, medium build and approximately 5’8” in height, with short dark hair. They were seen wearing a large puffy black jacket.

At this point in the investigation, deputies have located a man matching that description on surveillance video walking in the immediate area. Deputies have tracked down additional surveillance video from an area businesses of the person’s face and are asking for the public’s help to identify him.

Deputies would like to speak with this person as the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office is still working to determine if this person is the source of the sharp object the student found in their backpack and if a crime has occurred.

If you have information about this person’s identity or about this incident please contact the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office at (970) 242-6707.

The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office applauds the student for coming forward. We always want students to feel comfortable to tell a teacher, a School Resource Officer, or trusted adult if they experience or see something not right. Remember students can also make reports through Safe2Tell.

Grand Junction man arrested on active warrant

Jarrod Bidlack, 22
MCSO Photo 3-27-19
MESA COUNTY, Colo - This afternoon Jarrod Bidlack, 22, of Grand Junction, was arrested on an outstanding warrant.

During an unrelated traffic stop this morning, deputies learned Bidlack, who had an active warrant, was at a residence on the 500 block of Garfield Ave.

As a precaution, Bookcliff Middle School was put on shelter in place. It has since been lifted.

When deputies knocked on the door of the residence, a person and a dog came outside. While that person was being detained, the dog became aggressive and charged at deputies. Deputies, not wanting to injure the dog, or let the dog injure anyone else, deployed a tazer. The dog stopped its aggressive behavior and ran off.

Deputies continued to ask Bidlack to come out of the house. Ultimately he complied, and was arrested without further incident.

Bidlack was booked in to the Mesa County Detention Facility.

Animal Services was called to help locate the dog. The dog returned home on its own and was taken to the vet. Deputies later went to the vet to check on the dog. The dog is treated for minor abrasions on his paws from running and is now back at home with his owners.

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

CA man faces drug distribution charges after stop on I-70

Donald Martinez-Guevara, 42
MCSO Photo 12/2/19
Nearly 70 pounds of drugs found
 during traffic stop
MESA COUNTY, Colo - On Sunday, December 1, 2019 at approximately 7 pm a Mesa County Sheriff’s deputy assigned to the Western Colorado Drug Taskforce stopped a truck traveling on I-70 at the Mack exit. The deputy observed the vehicle had failed to use a signal while changing lanes and the rear license plate light was inoperative. During the traffic stop, the deputy noticed an external fuel tank in the back of the truck that didn’t have any fuel residue that is usually present with that type of fuel tank. Once permission was obtained, the deputy searched the truck.

Several plastic wrapped packages containing a crystalline substance consistent with methamphetamine were found inside the external fuel tank. The total gross weight was 67.2 pounds. One package contained 1.8 pounds of pills consistent with fentanyl.

The driver, identified as 42-year-old Donald Martinez-Guevara of California, was arrested and is facing the following charges:
  • Distribution/ Manufacture/Possession with Intent to Distribute > than 225g of Schedule I/II or > 112g of meth, heroin, ketamine, cathinone or > 50mg of Flunitrazipam (DF1)
  • Special Circumstances Import > 14g of Schedule I/II or 7g of meth, heroin, ketamine, cathinone or > 10mg of Flunitrazipam (DF1)
  • Failed to use turn signals

Martinez-Guevara is currently being held in the Mesa County Detention Facility on a $100,000 bond.

Suspicious incident near Central High School

UPDATE: One juvenile was transported to the Department of Youth Services on an unrelated warrant. Charges related to today's incident are pending further investigation.

MESA COUNTY, Colo - At approximately 12:40 this afternoon deputies responded to a report of someone seeing two juveniles in a truck unloading what appeared to be a gun at Long Family Memorial Park. The witness reported the truck then drove into Central High School’s adjacent parking lot.

School Resource Officers on campus at Central High School immediately responded as did nearby deputies, Grand Junction Police officers, Colorado State Patrol troopers and District 51 Security. Central High School was also immediately put into shelter in place. It has since been lifted.

The truck was quickly located nearby on Hoover Ct. Deputies conducted a traffic stop and two juveniles were detained. It was determined the weapon seen was in fact a replica weapon.

This situation is still under investigation.

It’s important to point out the person who called 911 to report seeing a weapon did the right thing. We strongly encourage anyone who sees something suspicious or out of place to call 911. Thankfully no one was hurt in this situation and all students are safe.

Sunday, December 1, 2019

Debeque shooting investigation in progress

Newby, Kevin 5/31/77
file photo.
MESA COUNTY, Colo: Just after 7 am this morning, December 1, 2019, Deputies were dispatched to a shots fired call in De Beque. Colorado State Patrol officers were also sent to assist.
Upon arrival Deputies contacted the reporting party who advised that someone had fired shots into his home from a car. Kevin Newby (DOB 5/31/77) was arrested in connection to the call. No injuries have been reported at this time and the investigation is in effect to determine which charges will be filed.