Category: Cases

GOLDEN, Colo. (Feb. 23, 2024) – Luis Fernando Robles-Luevanos (DOB 3-27-96) has been charged with two counts of sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust and one count of criminal attempt to commit sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust. The assaults are alleged to have occurred during school hours on Feb. 14, 2024.

On Feb. 15, 2024, Lakewood Police Detectives responded to Creighton Middle School at 50 S Kipling St. after two Spanish-speaking families inquired about physical exams their sons had reported. Through the investigation, two students reported to police that Robles-Luevanos brought them into his office and required them to submit to an “exam” where he touched their genitals. A third student reported that Robles-Luevanos called him into his office under the same pretenses, but the “exam” never took place.  All three boys are under the age of fifteen.

Robles-Luevanos has been employed at Creighton as the Community and Family Liaison for approximately three years. His duties included helping in classrooms, helping with lunch duties, doing enrollments for kids and families, and helping with translation for Spanish-speaking families. He is also employed as a part-time coach for The Jeffco League, formerly known as the Middle School Sports Program (MSSP).

On Feb. 16, 2024, Lakewood Police arrested Robles–Luevanos at his parents’ home.

On Feb. 18, 2024, a judge imposed a $75,000 cash/surety bond, which Robles-Luevanos posted on Feb. 20, 2024.

Robles-Luevanos appeared in person for court this morning and waived the formal reading of charges. He is set for a preliminary hearing on 3/21/24 at 10:30 am.

Anyone with information related to this investigation is encouraged to call the Lakewood Police Tip Line at 303-763-6800.

Official charges:

COUNT 1: SEXUAL ASSAULT ON A CHILD BY ONE IN A POSITION OF TRUST C.R.S. 18-3-405.3(1),(2)(a) (F3)

COUNT 2: SEXUAL ASSAULT ON A CHILD BY ONE IN A POSITION OF TRUST C.R.S. 18-3-405.3(1),(2)(a) (F3)

COUNT 3: CRIMINAL ATTEMPT TO COMMIT SEXUAL ASSAULT ON A CHILD BY ONE IN A POSITION OF TRUST C.R.S. 18-3-405.3(1),(2)(a);18-2-101 (F4)

The charges are merely legal allegations, and Mr. Robles-Luevanos is presumed innocent of the charges against him unless and until he is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

GOLDEN, Colo. (Jan. 17, 2024) – Titus Emilyon was sentenced to 12 years in prison yesterday for the string of burglaries he committed in Jefferson County in the fall of 2022. On Oct. 23, 2023, Emilyon pleaded guilty to three counts of Second Degree Burglary, naming 22 small businesses as victims. Part of Emilyon’s plea agreement was to pay restitution to business owners.  

Between Oct. 31, 2022, and Dec. 2, 2022. Emilyon mainly targeted small businesses and would gain entry by breaking the front doors with a rock and then stealing cash. While he usually only left with small sums of money, the damage he caused for business owners was significant. The total estimated loss reported to date is more than $27,000.

Timeline:

• On Oct. 31, 2022, Emilyon burglarized Evergreen Cleaners and Park Side Café, causing damage to the front door and stealing cash.
• On Nov. 2, 2022, Emilyon burglarized Roberts Italian Restaurant and several businesses in the Upper Bear Creek Road Shopping Center, including Everbean Coffee, Coal Mine Dragon, and Bistro Del Lago, causing damage and stealing cash.
• Emilyon burglarized three different establishments between Nov. 7 and Nov. 8, 2022: Bear Cub Coffee and Pub, Mac Nation, and Coal Creek Canyon Coffee. In all three cases, he broke a window or glass door to gain entry and stole cash.
• Emilyon committed burglaries on Nov. 13, 2022, at Kwik Mart and Canyon Liquors, stealing cash drawers and causing damages.
• On Nov. 25, 2022, Emilyon committed burglaries at Guido’s Pizza, Genessee Pub and BBQ, and Buffalo Moon. The front doors were broken, cash was missing, and the damage to Genessee Pub’s cash register system alone was approximately $5,000.
• On Nov. 28, 2022, Emilyon again burglarized several businesses near each other. Law enforcement found broken doors at Q’s Pub, Garlic Knot, Alterations Plus, Las Dalias Restaurant, and Salon Navaeh. Items were stolen from Salon Navaeh and cash from Las Dalias Restaurant. Surveillance video showed the suspect entering Garlic Knot but leaving empty-handed, and nothing was stolen from Alterations Plus. However, the damage to each door was valued at approximately $1,200.
• On Dec. 2, 2022, Black Bird Café, Kittredge General Store, and SaBella Pizza Restaurant were burglarized. At that time, law enforcement was searching for a 2008 silver Ford Escape, and one was discovered near the burglary. Once contacted, officers observed the driver, Emilyon, had broken glass in his hair and eyebrows. Cash was later found in the glove box, a cash box underneath the passenger seat, and a pair of gloves underneath the driver’s seat.

Sentencing

Emilyon, who has a long record of burglary convictions, was on parole for his ninth burglary at the time of committing these burglaries. As of yesterday’s sentencing, Emilyon had recently been convicted of burglary in Boulder County and also has pending cases for burglaries in Clear Creek, Adams, and Douglas Counties.

Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office investigators later determined that Emilyon gambled at Black Hawk casinos between Sep. 23 and Dec. 2, 2022, and had lost $9,800.

As a result of the plea agreement, Emilyon faced a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, which prosecutors advocated for. “Sadly, most businesses targeted by Emilyon were small businesses, and as a result, the damages were felt more intensely than a larger business would have, including dealing with the glass shortages in repairing the windows and doors,” said Deputy District Attorney Amanda Hensen. “Emilyon’s crime spree caused financial loss and destroyed the sense of safety for the affected businesses, their employees, and customers.”

Emilyon was sentenced to 12 years DOC plus three years parole, with 411 days of Pre-Sentence Confinement Credit (PSCC). A restitution hearing will be held to determine the restitution amounts owed to the various victims.

GOLDEN, Colo. (Jan. 3, 2024) – Michael Reynolds was sentenced yesterday for the death of his dog “Keef” after Reynolds left the dog inside his car for over 4 hours in 80-degree temperatures.

On Jul. 4, 2023, Reynolds drove from his home in Fort Collins to the Foothills Golf Course in Littleton to play an 18-hole round of golf. Reynolds brought his German Shepherd mix, “Keef,” with him and planned to keep him in the car.

At approximately 11:45 am, a witness reported hearing loud “whimpering” from a dog inside a vehicle in the parking lot with no windows rolled down. That person attempted to locate the owner and ultimately went to the clubhouse to call 911. By noon, other witnesses noticed the dog was in obvious distress, reporting the expiration from the dog’s breathing was so much that it had begun to fog the windows of the vehicle.

One Good Samaritan used a golf club to shatter the rear driver’s side window, while another crawled inside the vehicle and unlocked the door to rescue the dog. Unfortunately, the dog was unresponsive, and a CPR-certified witness on scene attempted to revive the dog but was not successful. 

At approximately 1 pm, Reynolds returned to his vehicle and learned that Keef had passed away. Reynolds, who was extremely distraught, reported that the dog had been in the car since about 8:45 am, and he believed he left the windows cracked. He also reported he left water for the dog.

Reynolds was issued a summons on scene, and the dog was taken to the Foothills Animal Shelter. A necropsy later confirmed that Keef died of heat exhaustion.

On Oct. 11, 2023, Reynolds pled guilty to count one, Animal Cruelty, which is a class 1 misdemeanor.

One of the responding Animal Control officers addressed the court at sentencing and called the death of Keef “entirely avoidable.”  The officer told the court the temperature inside the car could have exceeded 130 degrees. The officer further described that after the dog had passed away, officers spent another 30 minutes trying to locate the owner before Reynolds returned to his vehicle.  

Prosecutors argued that Reynolds played the entire round of golf without ever returning to check on Keef, even as he made the turn after nine holes.

In her ruling, the court emphasized that Reynold’s actions were not just negligent but highly reckless, as leaving a dog in a car for several hours while drinking beer and golfing is unacceptable and deserving of a jail sentence. The court further stated that cracked windows would not have saved the dog’s life. The court imposed a 60-day jail sentence in addition to 2 years probation, 100 hours of useful public service, monitored sobriety, a dog ownership class, court fines and fees, and no dog ownership for two years.

Following the hearing, counsel for Reynolds filed an emergency motion to appeal the sentence imposed by the judge.

There were no charges for the individual who broke out the car window in an attempt to rescue the dog. Since 2017, Colorado law prevents people who break into a hot vehicle to rescue a pet or at-risk person from being subject to penalties.

 It is never safe to leave an animal or human in the car when it is over 70 degrees outside.

GOLDEN, Colo. (Nov. 30, 2023) – Christopher Kenny Jackson (DOB 9-18-60) is charged with six counts related to sexual assaults that occurred between 2004 and 2008 after investigators from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) identified four women who appeared unconscious in sexually explicit videos.

In February of 2023, Investigators from JCSO executed a search warrant at Christopher Jackson’s home in Littleton after the Colorado Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force linked Jackson’s IP address to an alleged upload of pornography. During the search, computers, cell phones, portable devices, and electronic storage devices were seized from the residence.

On one of the storage devices, investigators found similar footage of four different women who were sexually assaulted in what investigators believe is Jackson’s living room. The women appeared unconscious and were partially naked. Using metadata from the images, investigators determined the images and videos were captured between December 19, 2004, and February 2, 2008. Investigators were able to identify the four women in the videos; however, one of the women is now deceased.

Once contacted, the three women had no memory or knowledge of the incidents captured in the videos.  Investigators discovered the women had likely been in contact with Jackson at bars in the south Jeffco area.

Investigators continue to review the evidence collected in this case and believe there could be additional victims. A photograph of Jackson is attached; anyone who may have seen or interacted with Jackson in relation to these allegations is encouraged to contact First Judicial District Attorney’s Office Investigator Kim Holmes at 303-271-6915.

Jackson was taken into custody on August 23, 2023, and later posted a $150,000 cash/surety bond. The next hearing is 1/9/24 for the second portion of the preliminary hearing.

He faces the following charges:

COUNT 1: SEXUAL ASSAULT, C.R.S. 18-3-402(1)(h) (F3)
COUNT 2: SEXUAL ASSAULT, C.R.S. 18-3-402(1)(b) (F4)
COUNT 3: SEXUAL ASSAULT, C.R.S. 18-3-402(1)(h) (F3)
COUNT 4: SEXUAL ASSAULT, C.R.S. 18-3-402(1)(b) (F4)
COUNT 5: SEXUAL ASSAULT, C.R.S. 18-3-402(1)(h) (F3)
COUNT 6: SEXUAL ASSAULT, C.R.S. 18-3-402(1)(b) (F4)

The charges are merely legal allegations, and Mr. Jackson is presumed innocent of the charges against him unless and until he is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

GOLDEN, Colo. (Oct. 26, 2023) – People with active warrants for non-violent, low-level offenses in Gilpin or Jefferson counties will once again have an opportunity to resolve their case without arrest as Colorado’s First Judicial District hosts another Fresh Start event at the Jefferson County Administration and Courts Facility on Saturday, November 4, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

This collaborative event resolves low-level offenses that would otherwise result in arrests and court appearances, which can adversely affect defendants who wish to take responsibility. Additionally, clearing warrants saves taxpayers thousands of dollars and preserves law enforcement resources to focus on higher-level and violent crimes.

Our last event in May was our most successful yet. Here are some key takeaways:

• 99 warrants were cleared by either setting a new court date, re-engaging in probation, enrolling in Pathways, or resolving their case entirely.
• 39 probation violation warrants were addressed. Most were quashed and assigned a new court date, 15 were closed or terminated, and some complaints were withdrawn.
• 39 non-DUI traffic warrants were resolved, with the majority being for No Proof of Insurance. Many individuals were able to show proof of insurance, and their case was dismissed.

The event is open to individuals who have non-violent, low-level felonies that have been reclassified as misdemeanors, along with some low-level felony drug and property offenses. Public defenders will again be available to review eligibility and provide legal consultation to qualifying defendants at no cost. To check eligibility for probation violation cases, individuals should email [email protected], and for all other cases, email [email protected].

 As always, the event excludes people charged or convicted of an offense under the Victim Rights Act – such as assault, child abuse, unlawful sexual contact, or domestic violence. In addition, people with weapons offenses and those with second or subsequent cases involving driving under the influence or driving while ability impaired are not eligible for the event.  

Several community partners – including the Community Connections Center (C3), Jefferson County Public Health, Benefits in Action, Hazelbrook Sober Living, Bayaud Enterprises, Ke’nekt, Community Economic Defense Project, Front Range Clinic, Master’s Apprentice, and Behavioral Treatment Services – will also be on-site to provide information and resources. At our last event, there were approximately 107 connections; peer services, Narcan, employment, and transportation were the most visited resources.

Fresh Start is a collaborative effort between First Judicial District Attorney Alexis King, the Colorado State Public Defender’s Office, the First Judicial District Courts, First Judicial District Probation Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson County Justice Services, and C3.  

Please visit Fresh Start | Jefferson County, CO (jeffco.us) for more information.

GOLDEN, Colo. (Oct. 3, 2023) – Today, one of the juveniles responsible for the fire at the Tiffany Square apartments that killed two and injured many others was sentenced to 7 years in the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) Division of Youth Services (DYS).

The deadly fire happened early in the morning on Oct. 31, 2022, at the Tiffany Square Apartments, located at 935 Sheridan Boulevard. Ten people were injured, and two victims died, 31-year-old Kathleen Payton and 10-year-old Jazmine Payton-Aguayo. All residents of the 32 units were displaced. The investigation quickly revealed that the fire was intentionally set.

On Nov. 6, 2022, two juveniles (ages 14 and 12 at the time) were arrested by the Lakewood Police Department and have remained in custody since their arrest.

On Jul. 24, 2023, the now fifteen-year-old juvenile pled guilty to the following charges:

1st COUNT: MURDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE (F1)
2nd COUNT: MURDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE (F1)
59th COUNT: AGGRAVATED JUVENILE OFFENDER (SE)
60th COUNT: AGGRAVATED JUVENILE OFFENDER (SE)
101st COUNT: CRIMINAL ATTEMPT TO COMMIT MURDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE (F2)
102nd COUNT: FIRST DEGREE ARSON (F3)

As a result of this plea, the juvenile was adjudicated an Aggravated Juvenile Offender and faced 5-7 years in DYS.

Today, victims and their families filled the courtroom, many wearing pink and purple, which were Jazmine’s favorite colors. The hearing was closed to the media.

Deputy District Attorneys Margaret Crabb and Riley Gonya argued that the maximum sentence, with no pre-sentence confinement credit, was necessary and justified and the only way to serve the community’s and the juvenile’s interests.

Ultimately, the judge imposed the maximum sentence of 7 years in DYS with 113 days of pre-sentence confinement credit.

The co-defendant charged in this case is set for a status hearing on Oct. 16, 2023. He remains in custody and is presumed innocent.

 Names are not being released due to their ages. This is the full extent of information that will be released at this time, pursuant to 19-1-304 of the Colorado Revised Statutes.

GOLDEN, Colo. (Aug. 16, 2023) – Glenn Braden of Evergreen has been charged with 15 counts related to crimes he is accused of committing in eleven separate incidents between Apr. 3, 2023, and Aug. 8, 2023. Braden is charged with confronting female hikers and committing lewd acts along trails in Flying J Ranch Park, Alderfer/Three Sisters Park, and Genesee Mountain Park in Jefferson County.

Braden has been charged with one count of Attempted Sexual Assault, four counts of Unlawful Sexual Contact, nine counts of Indecent Exposure, and one count of Criminal Mischief related to eleven separate victims.

COUNT 1: UNLAWFUL SEXUAL CONTACT (F4) (4/3/23)
COUNT 2: INDECENT EXPOSURE (M1) (4/3/23)
COUNT 3: INDECENT EXPOSURE (M1) (5/3/23)
COUNT 4: INDECENT EXPOSURE (M1) (6/13/23)
COUNT 5: INDECENT EXPOSURE (M1) (7/11/23)
COUNT 6: UNLAWFUL SEXUAL CONTACT (F4) (7/18/23)
COUNT 7: UNLAWFUL SEXUAL CONTACT (F4) (7/18/23)
COUNT 8: INDECENT EXPOSURE (M1) (7/18/23)
COUNT 9: INDECENT EXPOSURE (M1) (7/18/23)
COUNT 10: UNLAWFUL SEXUAL CONTACT (F4) (7/24/23)
COUNT 11: CRIMINAL ATTEMPT TO COMMIT SEXUAL ASSAULT (F5) (7/24/23)
COUNT 12: INDECENT EXPOSURE (M1) (7/24/23)
COUNT 13: CRIMINAL MISCHIEF (PO) (7/24/23)
COUNT 14: INDECENT EXPOSURE (M1) (8/8/23)
COUNT 15: INDECENT EXPOSURE (M1) (8/8/23)

On Aug. 8th, 2023, Jefferson County Sheriff Deputies were dispatched to Genessee Mountain Park in response to an indecent exposure report involving a male and two female hikers. After a lengthy search and brief pursuit, the male, later identified as Braden, was arrested and held on several misdemeanor counts. When Braden was advised on Aug. 10^th, prosecutors requested a $100,000 cash only bond, which was granted.

Once our office reviewed the case, prosecutors requested an updated affidavit with the inclusion of felony charges. On August 11th, Braden again appeared in court and was advised of the new felony counts. His bond was unchanged, set at $100,000 cash only. The case number for the new felony case is 23CR1966. The original misdemeanor case, 23M4040, will be dismissed by prosecutors.

Braden’s next appearance is Aug. 17th at 10 am for the return filing of charges.

The charges are merely legal allegations, and Mr. Braden is presumed innocent of the charges against him unless and until he is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

GOLDEN, Colo. (Jul. 21, 2023) – Ricardo Perez, Jay Griffith, and Savannah Wilson have been sentenced for their roles in the murder of eighty-one-year-old Gail Wilson of Lakewood in 2021.

In May of 2021, just after the death of Wilson’s wife, Wilson’s adopted daughter Savannah, her boyfriend, Ricardo Perez, and their friend Jay Griffith moved into Wilson’s home in Lakewood. As early as June, there was mounting tension between Wilson and Perez due to disagreements over rent, bills, chores, and Perez’s frequent use of Wilson’s pickup truck.

During the trial, jurors heard testimony that on Oct. 31, 2021, after an argument broke out earlier in the morning over misplaced items in the home, Perez attacked Wilson by punching him in the face and slamming his head against a dresser until Wilson was unable to move. Jurors then heard that Perez beat Wilson to death with a baseball bat.

Both Savannah and Griffith testified that Perez ordered them to help clean up and dispose of Wilson’s body, which they did.

Testimony revealed that the three wrapped Wilson’s body in black roofing plastic and loaded his body, a large area of carpet, the bat, and items used to clean the scene into the back of Wilson’s red Ford F-150 pickup truck. Perez and Griffith then drove to the Cheeseman Park area of Denver, where they disposed of the items in various garbage cans and dumpsters.

Savannah and Griffith confessed their roles in the murder to Lakewood Police Detectives approximately ten days later. Lakewood Police engaged in a coordinated and extensive search for Wilson’s body over several weeks and hundreds of hours, but sadly, Wilson’s body was never found.

Blood spatter and DNA evidence at the scene confirmed that Wilson had suffered a blood-letting event in the home. Other evidence, including Perez’s fingerprints on items used for disposal of the body, fiber analysis, phone tracking, and civilian and police security and traffic cameras, led to Perez’s arrest and, ultimately, his conviction for the murder of Wilson.

Last week, a jury convicted Perez of first degree murder and other charges, and on Jul. 14, 2023, he was sentenced by the First Judicial District Court to life in prison plus 12 years.

Ct 1-Murder 1-Life w/o the possibility of parole
Ct 2-Tampering w/a Deceased Human Body-12 years consecutive to Ct 1
Ct 3-Attempt to Influence-5 years Concurrent to Ct 1
Ct 4-Tampering w/Physical Evidence-18 months Concurrent to Ct 1

Last year, both Savannah and Griffith pled guilty to Accessory to a Crime (F4) and Concealing Death (M1) in exchange for their cooperation and truthful testimony in Perez’s trial.

Yesterday, during Griffith’s sentencing, members of Wilson’s family spoke to the court and offered forgiveness and support. However, regarding Savannah, Wilson’s family did not share the same sentiment, with one member referring to her as a “monster.”

In both hearings, the First Judicial District Court noted that while there’s no legal requirement to intervene in a crime, both defendants will have to live with what they did and didn’t do in this case.

Griffith, who has spent 611 days in custody, received five years of probation with standard terms and conditions in addition to substance abuse evaluation and any recommended treatment, and mental health evaluation and any recommended treatment.

Savannah, who spent 445 days in custody, received seven years of probation with standard conditions, substance abuse and mental health evaluations, and any recommended treatment. The court imposed an additional 45-day jail sentence to give Savannah, who currently lacks a support network, an opportunity to make plans for her living arrangements once she is released.

GOLDEN, Colo. (Jul. 20, 2023) – Brock Troy Nieuwendorp has been charged with one count of fentanyl distribution resulting in death following a months-long investigation conducted by the Lakewood Police Department.

This charge is in connection with the alleged sale of fentanyl by the defendant to the victim, leading to the victim’s tragic death. This marks the first prosecution in our jurisdiction since the implementation of Colorado’s HB22-1326.

On Apr. 29, 2023, Agents from the Lakewood Police Department were dispatched to the apartment of twenty-five-year-old Catherine Hackim after her parents had been unable to contact her. Upon entry, Hackim was found deceased on her couch, with no apparent injuries or cause of death. Agents were aware that Hackim was known to use fentanyl and eventually located a drawer in the bathroom with a small bag of blue M30 fentanyl pills.

On May 30, 2023, the autopsy report revealed that the cause of death was listed as accidental due to combined drug intoxication. The toxicology report listed a high level of fentanyl and its metabolites and the combination of Norbuprenorphine and Buprenorphine. Norbuprenorphine and Buprenorphine are indicative of the prescription drug Suboxone, which is prescribed to individuals who are experiencing opiate withdrawal symptoms. Hackim was prescribed Suboxone at the time of her death.

Lakewood Agents received information that led to the identification of Nieuwendorp. Through cell phone records and payment apps, Agents identified Nieuwendorp as the individual who sold fentanyl to the victim. Nieuwendorp is accused of providing fentanyl to Hackim on numerous occasions dating back to February, including on the date of her death, Apr. 28, 2023.  

Nieuwendorp was advised of the charges on Tuesday and is set for a preliminary hearing on Aug. 18 at 8:30 am.

Charges are merely legal allegations; Mr. Nieuwendorp is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.