Tuesday, December 29, 2020

MCSO investigating shots fired into two homes

MESA COUNTY, Colo - Monday at approximately 8:30 p.m., Mesa County Sheriff’s deputies responded to two separate reports of shots fired into an occupied home. The first report occurred in the area of 32 1/2 Road and C Road. The second occurred just a few minutes later in the area of 29 3/4 and B 1/2 Road. In both incidents, a single round was fired into an occupied residence and the unknown suspect(s) fled. No injuries were reported.

The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help to identify the suspect(s) involved in these crimes.

If you have information or your home surveillance system captured any video between 8:25 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. in the areas of 32 1/2 Road and C Road as well as 29 3/4 and B 1/2 Road, please contact the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office at (970) 242-6707.

Reference Case #20-37336 and 20-37337

Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Grand Junction man arrested for multiple sexual exploitation of a child charges

Dana H Head, 60, of Grand Junction
MCSO Photo 12-22-20
MESA COUNTY, Colo – Mesa County Sheriff’s Office investigators took Dana H Head, 60, of Grand Junction, into custody Tuesday after a warrant was obtained for his arrest.

Head is facing the following charges:
  • Sexual Exploitation of a Child - Creating Sexually Exploitative Material (Class 3 Felony)
  • Sexual Exploitation of a Child - Distributing Sexually Exploitative Material (Class 3 Felony)
  • Sexual Exploitation of a Child - Possession of Sexually Exploitative Material More than Twenty Images (Class 4 Felony)
  • Sexual Assault on a Child (Class 4 Felony)
The charges stem from alleged incidents that occurred between October 13, 2020, and November 11, 2020, involving one juvenile.

This remains an active investigation.

Head is currently being held at the Mesa County Detention Facility. For updated bond amounts, visit our website.

Monday, December 21, 2020

Clifton man arrested for multiple counts of sex crimes involving a child

Gary Harding, 73 of Clifton
MCSO Photo 
MESA COUNTY, Colo – Mesa County Sheriff’s Office investigators took Gary Harding, 73 of Clifton, into custody Friday after a warrant was obtained for his arrest.

Harding is facing the following charges:
  • 9 counts of Sexual Assault on a Child, Pattern of Abuse (Class 3 Felony)
  • 3 counts of Sexual Assault on a Child, Position of Trust (Class 3 Felony)
  • Indeterminate Sentence Enhancement (Jessica’s Law)
The charges stem from alleged incidents that occurred between August 1, 2009, and November 13, 2020, involving two separate juveniles.

This remains an active investigation.

Harding is currently being held in the Mesa County Detention Facility. For updated bond amounts, visit our website.

Thursday, December 17, 2020

Update: Two arrested after early morning drive-by shooting

Friday Update:

More information has surfaced in this active investigation and Mesa County Sheriff’s Office investigators have amended the charges for Justin Fowler and Trey Shriver related to Thursday's shooting.

Both are now facing two counts of Attempted Murder in the First Degree in addition to the charges previously released.

Investigators believe the residents of the home were the intended target of the shooting. The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office is also following up with other residents in that neighborhood whose homes were also damaged by bullets. No injuries were reported.

The case is still under investigation.

Fowler and Shriver are currently being held at the Mesa County Detention Facility. For updated bond amounts visit our website.


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Previous:

Trey Shriver, 20 of Clifton
MCSO Photo 12-17-20
MESA COUNTY, Colo - Just before 1:00 this morning, a Mesa County Sheriff’s Office deputy heard what sounded like gunshots fired in the area of Moonlight Ct. and Belford Ave.

Multiple shots were fired into an occupied home, causing an estimated $2,000 in damage. No injuries were reported.

Witnesses described a maroon Toyota pickup truck leaving the area at the time of the incident. While deputies were still speaking to witnesses, a truck matching the description of the suspect vehicle returned to the area. Deputies stopped the truck and took the two occupants into custody. Deputies found a defaced gun and spent shell casings during a search of the vehicle. There were also multiple shell casings in the road.

Justin Fowler, 21 of Grand Junction, and Trey Shriver, 20 of Clifton, were arrested and transported to the Mesa County Detention Facility.
Justin Fowler, 21 of Grand Junction
MCSO Photo 12-17-20

Fowler is facing the following charges:
  • Obstructing Peace Officer (M2)
  • Reckless Endangerment (M3)
  • Prohibited Use Of Weapons (M2)
  • Possession Of A Defaced Firearm (M1)
  • Illegal Discharge Of Firearm (F5)
  • Criminal Mischief $1,000 Or More, Less Than $5,000 (F6)
  • Unlawful Possession <4g Controlled Substance Sch I/II, Flunitrazepam, Ketamine, Ghb (DM1)
  • Possession Of Drug Paraphernalia (DPO)
Shriver is facing the following charges: 
  • Reckless Endangerment (M3)
  • Possession Of A Defaced Firearm (M1)
  • Minor In Possession Of Alcohol
  • Prohibited Use Of Weapons (M2)
  • Illegal Discharge Of Firearm (F5)
  • Possession Of Weapons By Previous Offenders (F6)
  • Resisting Arrest (M2)
  • Criminal Mischief $1,000 Or More, Less Than $5,000 (F6)
  • Fugitive Other Jurisdiction Warrant
  • Attempt To Influence A Public Servant (F4)
The circumstances surrounding this incident are still under investigation. At this time, investigators believe this to be an isolated incident.

Investigators are seeking video from residents in the area between D ½ to E Roads and 31 Road to Duffy Drive that may have captured the suspect vehicle on camera. If your home security system captured video between just before 1:00 a.m. and 2:30 a.m., please send an email to Jeffrey.Byrne@mesacounty.us.

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Porch Pirate Bait Operation

MESA COUNTY, Colo - 'Tis the season for holiday shopping and unfortunately packages to be stolen. Historically, this time of year, the Mesa County Sheriff's Office sees an increase in these crimes. In an effort to prevent packages from being stolen from people's homes and cars, the Mesa County Sheriff's Office is conducting bait operations all this month.

The Mesa County Sheriff's Office utilizes bait operations as a proactive investigative tool to reduce property crime. Operations are conducted in areas where on-going criminal activity has been reported to specially target people breaking and entering into cars with the intent to steal property as well as those intending to steal packages off porches. Bait operations give deputies a proactive way to identify suspects without a citizen becoming a victim of a crime.

How it works

Deputies place tracking devices in commonly stolen items, packages, and bags, then place them in neighborhoods and in cars at local businesses where these crimes are occurring. Deputies also monitor the items with active surveillance. When the item is stolen, deputies then locate the item and the person who took it.

The decoy items look exactly like the real thing, making it nearly impossible for a would-be thief to tell the difference. This operation aims not only to identify who in our community is committing these crimes but also for criminals to think twice before taking someone's package.

Prevention Tips
Community members can help the Mesa County Sheriff's Office prevent these crimes by following these simple tips.

Shopping:
  • While out shopping, keep your recently purchased items in your trunk or out of sight in your car.
  • Lock your car. Remember to lock your vehicle when you are not in it, even if you are only running a quick errand. It only takes a few seconds for a thief to strike.
  • If you are buying a big-ticket item, take it home and leave it in a secure place before continuing your shopping.
Package delivery:
  • Limit the amount of time your package sits on your porch.
  • Track your package. If you are not going to be home when scheduled to arrive, ask a neighbor to store it.
  • Have the package delivered to your business instead of your home.
  • Use the Amazon Locker to pick it up from a secure location.
  • Hold your packages at the Post Office and pick them up.