Category: Cases

GOLDEN, Colo. (Sept. 14, 2022) – The investigation into the murder of Arvada Police Officer Dillon Vakoff is ongoing. District Attorney Alexis King mourns this tremendous loss with Officer Vakoff’s loved ones, the Arvada Police Department, and the community. To protect the integrity of the investigation, and to ensure that the defendant can receive a fair trial, additional case facts cannot be released at this time. District Attorney King appreciates the dedication and discretion of the Arvada Police Department and ensures the community that every resource of her office is devoted to the pursuit of justice for Officer Vakoff, consistent with her commitment to ethical and effective prosecutions.  

On September 13, 2022, Sonny Almanza DOB 6-8-91 was arrested for the murder of Officer Vakoff and the attempted murder of another person, on charges of First Degree Murder of a Peace Officer, Attempt to Commit Murder in the First Degree, Possession of a Weapon by a Previous Offender, and two counts of Child Abuse. Mr. Almanza is being held without bond. Today, he appeared before the Jefferson County Court and was advised of the arrest charges. District Attorney Alexis King will determine and file formal charges against Mr. Almanza next week. Mr. Almanza will then appear to be advised of those formal charges on September 20, 2022.  

A parallel investigation by the First Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) continues, as is standard in any incident in which a law enforcement officer within the First Judicial District uses deadly force, or attempts to use deadly force, against a person while acting under the color of official law enforcement duties. As part of a commitment with her law enforcement partners, the CIRT team is comprised of highly trained and skilled investigators working under District Attorney King’s authority and appointed from multiple law enforcement agencies, including her office. This multi-jurisdictional team of objective, dispassionate professionals protect the integrity of the investigation by exercising independent judgment in conducting a thorough investigation. To maintain transparency and reduce conflict of interest, officers from the involved agency do not perform critical duties related to the CIRT investigation. 

GOLDEN, Colo. (Aug. 26, 2022) – District Attorney Alexis King announced today that a former law enforcement officer, Wayne Darrell Nelson (DOB 9/21/52), has been convicted of three counts of misdemeanor unlawful sexual contact for the sexual assaults of two adult women between April 2018 and December 2020. Mr. Nelson was acquitted of sexual assault against a third woman.

The women were tenants and roommates of Mr. Nelson between April 2018 and December 2020. The victims told detectives that they were scared to report Mr. Nelson’s conduct because he was a retired law enforcement officer.

Mr. Nelson worked for multiple local police departments, including as a criminal investigator for the First Judicial District Attorney’s Office from 2008-2014. The investigation also revealed that Mr. Nelson taught CCW classes and women’s self-defense classes at the time of arrest for these offenses.

District Attorney Alexis King stated, “We honor the victims and survivors that came forward to ensure that Mr. Nelson faced accountability for his actions. Our community is made safer by today’s verdict, and we appreciate the jury’s service.”

GOLDEN, Colo. (Aug. 22, 2022) – First Judicial District Attorney Alexis King announced today that Lakewood Police Department Agents Brianna Hagan and Ashley Ferris would not face charges for their use of force against Lyndon James McLeod, who murdered five people and wounded two others in Lakewood and Denver during a shooting spree on December 27, 2021.

The agents’ use of force was investigated by the First Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team, which investigates any incident in which a law enforcement officer within the First Judicial District uses deadly force, or attempts to use deadly force, against a person while acting under the color of official law enforcement duties. The CIRT team is comprised of highly trained and skilled investigators working under DA King’s authority and appointed from multiple law enforcement agencies. The multi-jurisdictional team of objective, dispassionate professionals protects the integrity of the investigation by exercising independent judgment in conducting a thorough investigation.

The District Attorney’s team reviewed over 2,100 photographs, approximately 900 pages of reports, and dozens of recorded interviews, in an investigation that revealed the following:

During the early evening of December 27, 2021, Mr. McLeod murdered three people, in two separate locations in Denver. DPD officers attempted to arrest Mr. McLeod in his van, but it led to a pursuit and an exchange of gunfire between Mr. McLeod and the officers. Mr. McLeod eluded capture and proceeded to the Lucky 13 Tattoo Parlor located at 1550 Kipling Street in Lakewood, where he entered the shop and shot and killed the manager. He then fled the scene in his van.

At 5:59 p.m., while responding to an unrelated call, Lakewood Police Agent Brianna Hagan heard radioed description of the shooter’s van from the Denver homicides, and then another description of the van aired at 5:59 p.m. as a result of the Kipling tattoo parlor shooting. At 6:03 p.m., Agent Hagan and another agent spotted the van driving eastbound on West Alameda Avenue. They initiated a traffic stop of the van, which then stopped abruptly in the Wells Fargo parking lot.

As Agent Hagan exited her patrol vehicle, Mr. McLeod quickly stepped out of the van and
immediately shot at Agent Hagan with what she perceived as a rifle or long gun. Agent Hagan estimated eight to ten rounds fired at her before she drew her duty weapon and fired two rounds at Mr. McLeod. Neither shot injured Mr. McLeod. From the time Agent Hagan got out of her car, was then shot at by Mr. McLeod, and ultimately returned fire, only seven seconds passed.

At 6:04 and 6:05 p.m., the agents aired “shots fired” and a description of Mr. McLeod, who fled into the shopping district. Between 6:05 and 6:12 p.m., agents began setting up a perimeter to ensure Mr. McLeod could not escape the area. Unbeknownst to them,
Mr. McLeod had entered the busy Ted’s Montana Grill, pointed a handgun at a
female employee, and fled at about 6:07 p.m. He then proceeded to the Hyatt
House Hotel, where he shot and killed the front desk clerk.

Agent Ashley Ferris was part of the team setting up a perimeter, and she was aware of the Denver homicides and Kipling tattoo parlor shootings, Mr. McLeod’s attempted murder of Agent Hagan, a brief physical description, and that he had fled on foot into
the shopping district. She parked her patrol car at the intersection of West Alaska Drive and South Vance Street. She observed that businesses were open and the area was heavily populated.

A short time later, Agent Ferris observed Mr. McLeod walking toward her, wearing a black vest with the word “POLICE” in white lettering along the right side of his chest. He appeared to be loading handgun magazines. Agt. Ferris readily determined that Mr. McLeod was not an LPD agent, and wondered if he was armed security for the shopping district. Once he was close enough, Agent Ferris asked Mr. McLeod where he was coming from, and he replied, “Wells Fargo.” Agent Ferris then asked Mr. McLeod if he was armed security at Wells Fargo, but with a noisy radio near her ear, she did not hear his response.

At that point, Agent Ferris realized Mr. McLeod matched the description of the man from the Wells Fargo shooting. Agent Ferris then reached out with her left hand toward Mr. McLeod, and told him, “Don’t hurt other people, please.” Seeing that Mr. McLeod had a handgun magazine in his left hand, Agent Ferris said, “Don’t do this,” and began backing away from Mr. McLeod. She drew her duty weapon and attempted to use her radio. She then saw Mr. McLeod open either his jacket or a closely held bag and all of a sudden he was holding a handgun. Mr. McLeod pointed the gun directly at her and said, “I’ll show you what I’ll do.” As Agent Ferris began to turn away, Mr. McLeod fired multiple rounds in her direction. Agent Ferris was struck with at least one round, causing serious injury to her lower torso. The force of the gunshot pushed Agent Ferris backwards and she fell to the ground. As she was falling, Agt. Ferris returned fire.

At approximately 6:12 p.m., while she was lying on the ground, Agent Ferris aired, “Shots fired. I’m hit.” About eighteen seconds passed from the point Mr. McLeod began to approach Agent Ferris, to when Mr. McLeod fired his first round at her. Mr. McLeod turned away from Agent Ferris and went toward the northeast corner of the intersection.

From the ground, Agent Ferris fired at least seven more rounds at Mr. McLeod, causing him to fall to the ground in front of her patrol vehicle. Despite her position and wound, Agent Ferris maintained a sight picture on Mr. McLeod because she was concerned he was still a threat. He appeared to be moving and possibly taking up a prone shooting position or reloading his handgun. From the ground and gravely injured, Agent Ferris then performed a tactical reload of her firearm, stretched out her right arm, and fired at least five more rounds at Mr. McLeod. Mr. McLeod did not survive, and remained on the ground in front of her patrol vehicle until other agents arrived.

In her decision letter, DA King determined that, given the circumstances, it was entirely reasonable for both agents to believe they were in imminent danger of deadly harm, and that no criminal charges can or should be brought against Agent Hagan and Agent Ferris under Colorado law.  DA King stated, “Agents Hagan and Ferris and their fellow officers from multiple agencies responded swiftly and bravely to end this spree of senseless violence in our community. Agent Ferris demonstrated particular heroism in returning fire while gravely wounded herself, and our community owes her and all of our law enforcement partners a debt of gratitude for their service during this tragic event.”

View the CIRT 21-12 Decision Letter PDF here.

GOLDEN, Colo. (Jun. 27, 2022) – Joseph Gabriel Van Eck (DOB: 8-14-1988) was sentenced on Friday by the First Judicial District Court for the sexual assaults committed between April and September 2020 on four women from a vulnerable community. The court imposed consecutive sentences amounting to a total of 162 years to life in prison.

On April 19, 2020, a young woman reported to Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputies that she had been picked up in Denver and driven into the foothills where she was sexually assaulted. Three additional women were identified who reported similar experiences in August and September 2020.  All four victims were unhoused females, one of the women was picked up in Denver and three were picked up along W. Colfax Avenue in Lakewood.

Three of the victims were lured into Van Eck’s truck by offering them a ride, and one victim was grabbed and pulled into the truck by her purse. Once the victims were inside the truck, Van Eck would drive to a remote area in Jefferson County where he threatened to kill, physically assaulted, and forced them to engage in unwanted sexual activity.  Van Eck was armed with a knife and a gun on more than one occasion.

Through a joint investigation by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and the Lakewood Police Department, Van Eck was identified and arrested on September 18, 2020.

On March 28, 2022, a Jefferson County jury found Mr. Van Eck guilty of twelve counts, including three counts of Sexual Assault, two counts of Second Degree Kidnapping, four counts of Soliciting for Prostitution, one count of Attempted Sex Assault, one count of Unlawful Sexual Contact and one count of Theft.

At sentencing, the District Attorney thanked the victims for their bravery and resilience throughout the lengthy judicial proceedings. One of the victims was present and addressed the court stating, “Because of him, I’m scared of everybody. He terrified me beyond belief.”

“These four women lived on the streets, and that’s where he hunted them,” said Chief Deputy District Attorney Tyra Forbes. “Kidnapping them, threatening them, beating them, driving them to a deserted trailhead in the middle of the night, brutally raping them, and then dumping them on the side of I-70…that level of depravity deserves the maximum sentence allowed by law.”

Van Eck was also found to be a sexually violent predator and is subject to lifetime parole for his crimes.

GOLDEN, Colo. (Jun. 16, 2022) – Peter Robert Dettmer (DOB: 6-17-1952) was sentenced today by the First Judicial District Court to 28 years to life in the Department of Corrections for the sexual assaults committed between April 2014 and June 2016.

On Jun. 10, 2016, police were called to a residence in Golden on a report of a “sexual assault in progress”. Witnesses reported observing Dettmer sexually assaulting an unconscious female through an apartment window.

During the legal process in 2016, Dettmer absconded to Ecuador and wasn’t extradited back to Colorado until November 2021. Arrested in Cuenca, Ecuador, on April 27, 2021, Dettmer’s extradition was carried out by the FBI with assistance from the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, and the U.S. Department of State. It is just the second extradition from Ecuador to the United States in the past 27 years.

Subsequent police investigation uncovered evidence of numerous sexual assaults, including identifying a separate victim, which resulted in an additional 122 charges.

On May 16, 2022, Dettmer pled guilty to five counts of Sexual Assault from five separate incidents and two separate victims:

Count 1: Sexual Assault – Victim Incapable of Appraising Conditions – Drugging (F3) (June 2016)

Count 12: Sexual Assault – Victim Incapable of Appraising Conditions (F4) (April 2014)

Count: 13: Sexual Assault – Victim Helpless (F3) (March 2015)

Count 16: Sexual Assault – Victim Incapable of Appraising Conditions (F4) (May 2015)

Count 18: Sexual Assault – Victim Incapable of Appraising Conditions (F4) (June 2015)

The Court sentenced Dettmer as follows:

Count 1: 8 years

Count 12: 4 years

Count: 13: 8 years

Count 16: 4 years

Count 18: 4 years

Those sentences are consecutive with each other with 416 days of presentence confinement credit, including when he was detained in Ecuador.

GOLDEN, Colo. (June 9, 2022) – Tyler Condit (DOB: 1-22-1989) was sentenced yesterday by the First Judicial District Court to 38 years in the Department of Corrections for the murder of 22-year-old Joseph Elsey of Arvada. On May 5, 2022, Condit was found guilty at trial of Murder in the Second Degree, Tampering with a Deceased Human Body, and two counts of Tampering with Physical Evidence. Condit faced 16-78 years in prison.

Asking for the maximum possible sentence, prosecutors argued that Condit acted with an exceptional level of callousness and depravity after brutally stabbing Elsey, stuffing his lifeless body into a tote, and the inhumane disposal of his remains in Clear Creek. Prosecutors further noted a lack of remorse and accountability for his actions.

The Court sentenced Condit as follows:
Second Degree Murder – 38 years
Tampering with a Deceased Human Body – 24 years
Tampering with Physical Evidence – 3 years
Tampering with Physical Evidence – 3 years
Those sentences are concurrent with each other with 646 days of presentence confinement credit.

On Aug. 29, 2020, police were called to an apartment in Arvada on a suspicious incident after a friend of Elsey reported that nobody had seen or heard from him since Aug. 24, 2020. Police gained entry to the apartment and observed blood and signs of an attempted clean-up. Investigators learned that Elsey lived at the apartment and that Condit had recently moved in.

Suspected blood samples were collected from the apartment which were later confirmed to be Elsey’s blood. Elsey’s vehicle was also later located in Denver and smelled of bleach.

Condit was arrested in Denver on Sep. 1, 2020, by Arvada police. And on Sep. 6, 2020, Elsey’s deceased body was discovered in Clear Creek County after nearly two weeks of being out in the elements.

At trial, jurors heard expert testimony that Elsey was stabbed in the neck and that other injuries to his body indicated defensive wounds. Condit, who testified in the trial, maintained that during an argument with the victim, Elsey threatened Condit with a knife and was ultimately struck by his own knife and quickly expired. The jury roundly rejected that contention with their verdict of Second Degree Murder.

Both the jury and the bereaved family and friends of Elsey were deprived of knowing the true extent of the knife wounds inflicted on the victim due to Condit’s choice to conceal the victim’s body.

At sentencing, the Court highlighted the inhumanity in allowing the victim to bleed out and not call for help stating, “You failed in that moment. There is a moment in your life where staying out of trouble becomes less important than saving a human life and you didn’t do it. Staying out of trouble was more important than a person dying.”

GOLDEN, Colo. (June 7, 2022) – Ryan Scott Montoya (DOB: 8-9-1991) was sentenced today by the First Judicial District Court to 8 years in the Department of Corrections for the crash that killed 46-year-old cyclist Gwen Ellen Inglis. On Apr. 6, 2022, Montoya pled guilty to the lead charge of Vehicular Homicide – Driving Under the Influence, and as a result of the plea, faced a maximum of 8 years in prison.

Several of Inglis’ family and friends addressed the court and described a beloved daughter, sister, wife, aunt, friend, and teammate; as someone who sought to spread joy and make the world a better place. The father of Gwen told the court that the family hoped, and prayed Mr. Montoya’s decisions will be different in the future and that he changes the direction of his life.

“While the defendant’s plea may have spared Gwen’s family the anxiety of reliving this heartbreak at trial, the defendant’s selfish choice to drive high on meth leaves them with the kind of pain that can never be spared,” said Chief Deputy District Attorney Brian Domingues. “It’s such a senseless loss for her family to endure and the biking community to suffer, but inconceivable for a husband to helplessly witness.”

“We were honored to work with Gwen’s family to support them and lift their voices throughout this process,” said District Attorney Alexis King. “Her death was a tragedy and reminds us how dangerous intoxicated drivers are in our community.”  

On Sunday, May 16, 2021, just after 10:00 a.m., Gwen and Michael Inglis were riding their bicycles together eastbound on Alameda Pkwy when Mr. Montoya’s vehicle drifted into the bicycle lane and hit Gwen, throwing her from her bicycle. Gwen died on the scene from her injuries.

Montoya, driving a 2006 Nissan Maxima, remained on the scene and had no injuries. Montoya’s blood draw later showed that he was under the influence of methamphetamine, marijuana, and Xanax at the time of the crash.

In a separate incident, Montoya was cited on May 6, 2021, by a Gilpin County Sheriff for Driving Under the Influence after crashing into a ditch and striking a power pole. He is currently set for trial in that case on Aug. 24, 2022, in Gilpin County. Charges are merely legal allegations, and Mr. Montoya is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

GOLDEN, Colo. (June 6, 2022) – Daniel Short (DOB: 12-23-1956) was sentenced today by the First Judicial District Court to 5 years in the Department of Corrections for the crash that caused the death of 59-year-old Julia “Julie” Pacheco. On Apr. 18, 2022, Short pled guilty to Vehicular Homicide and Driving Under the Influence – Third or Subsequent Alcohol-Related Offense. Short had three prior Driving Under the Influence convictions from 1977, 1988, and 1993.

The family of Pacheco described her to the court as a beloved Mother, Grandmother, Daughter, Sister, Aunt, Cousin, and friend to so many people. “Julie would have been the person that would have offered to give the Defendant a ride home had he only had the decency to ask for a ride instead of driving under the influence.”

“While Mr. Short didn’t set out to hurt anyone on October 4th, 2021, he made choices that caused the irrevocable tragedy before the Court,” said Deputy District Attorney Riley Gonya. “He drank and drove for the 4th time, he drove recklessly, and he crashed into Julie Pacheco, ending her life. Our hearts are with Ms. Pacheco’s friends and family as they continue to grieve her loss. We know that nothing can return what they have lost, but we are honored to give Julie a voice.”

Just after 9 p.m. on Oct. 4, 2021, Short, driving a gold Lexus sedan was southbound on Sheridan Boulevard following two motorcycles, one driven by Pacheco. Near the intersection of South Sheridan Boulevard and West Yale Avenue, Short struck Pacheco’s motorcycle from behind and dragged her a short distance before coming to a stop. Pacheco was pronounced deceased upon transport to the hospital.

Multiple witnesses reported Short was speeding and driving recklessly before hitting the victim. Short remained on the scene and told police he had been at a golf tournament earlier in the day and admitted to drinking beers and smoking marijuana. He was also found to be in possession of cocaine.

GOLDEN, Colo. (May 9, 2022) – Vicente Enrique Orozco (DOB: 1-1-2000) was sentenced on Friday by the First Judicial District Court to two consecutive life sentences for the murders of 61-year-old Stevan Sandvick and 19-year-old Ivan Rodriguez Rivera in Belmar Park in 2019. On Mar. 10, 2022, a Jefferson County jury found Orozco guilty of two counts of Murder in the First Degree, one count of Felony Murder, and two counts of Aggravated Robbery.

The families of Sandvick and Rodriguez Rivera addressed the court and expressed the significant pain and loss each family suffered as a result of the senseless acts of violence. Rodriguez Rivera was described as a “beautiful kid” with a bright future ahead of him, and Sandvick was described as a father and husband that will be missed very much.

“Today we see justice for the tragedy that took two innocent, random victims from the years ahead of them, their community, and their families,” said Senior Deputy District Attorney Adam Hepp. “We are grateful for the courageous and thorough efforts of law enforcement, and we thank Ivan and Stevan’s families for their patience, their strength, and their undaunted courage throughout this process.”

In the early morning hours of Aug. 15, 2019, police were called to Belmar Park in Lakewood where they found 19-year-old Rodriguez Rivera with multiple stab wounds. It was later determined that Rodriguez Rivera was in the park playing soccer with a friend at the time he was attacked.

Later that morning, a witness walking through the park near the Fallen Firefighters Memorial found the body of 61-year-old Sandvick, who had also suffered multiple stab wounds and appeared to have been robbed.  

Sandvick was pronounced deceased on scene and Rodriguez Rivera died days later as a result of his injuries.

On Aug. 19, 2019, the police received an anonymous tip that led to the identification of then 18-year-old Vicente Orozco. Orozco was taken into custody on Aug. 21, 2019.

Orozco received two consecutive life sentences for the murders plus fifteen years for the Aggravated Robbery of Sandvick.