GOLDEN, Colo. (Feb. 23, 2026) – Callum Heskett pleaded guilty and was sentenced today to three years of supervised probation and ordered to pay at least $16,700 in restitution for falsely reporting a stabbing that prompted a large-scale law enforcement response and manhunt in August 2025.
Heskett pleaded guilty to:
Count 1: Attempt to Influence a Public Servant (F4)
Count 4: False Reporting of an Emergency (M1)
The parties stipulated to a Deferred Judgment and Sentence on Count One, Attempt to Influence a Public Servant (F4), and a permanent conviction on Count Four, False Reporting of an Emergency (M1). The agreement includes three years of supervised probation, standard terms and conditions, and restitution in an amount of at least $16,700. The exact restitution amount will be finalized within 21 days to account for costs incurred by all assisting agencies.
On the morning of August 19, 2025, while working as a Colorado Parks and Wildlife Seasonal Ranger at Staunton State Park, Heskett radioed for assistance, claiming he had been attacked and stabbed. He reported that the alleged assailant fled on foot and provided a detailed description of the suspect.
In response, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies and numerous first responders arrived at the park, which was shut down as authorities launched an extensive manhunt.
To support the search effort, JCSO SWAT and Drone teams were activated, along with the Colorado State Patrol SOAR and Aviation teams. Jeffcom 911 issued a Lookout Alert to approximately 8,600 residents in the surrounding area, warning of potential danger. Several schools and nearby residents were asked to remain in lockdown for safety.
Heskett was airlifted to a local hospital while the search for the alleged suspect continued for several hours. During that time, two individuals were detained and interviewed before being cleared of any involvement. Heskett continued to make false statements to investigators before it was ultimately determined that he had stabbed himself in the abdomen.
In support of the agreed-upon sentence, Deputy District Attorney Michael Rex told the Court that Heskett, “was in a position of authority and trust” and “abused that authority” by making a false report that triggered a substantial law enforcement response. He emphasized that “innocent third parties were inconvenienced and investigated as possible assailants, and likely numerous police reports went unresponded to as critical assets were deployed,” calling the conduct “utterly incompatible with the responsibility, trust, and duty charged of a law enforcement officer.”
Rex further represented that the investigating officers’ primary concerns were ensuring Mr. Heskett would no longer be permitted to serve in law enforcement and that restitution be ordered to recover the costs incurred in the response. These convictions revoke his POST certification and will serve as a bar to any future recertification, while requiring restitution to help offset the costs of the response.
Defense counsel told the Court that much of the information provided to the District Attorney’s Office related to psychological and substance evaluations. Counsel stated that “a law enforcement career was not a good choice for him; he could not handle a lot of the stressors associated with that,” and further represented that Heskett “has no aspirations to return to law enforcement.” Defense also told the Court that Heskett “is very regretful” and is willing to pay restitution.
In accepting the plea and imposing the agreed-upon sentence, District Court Judge Diego Hunt acknowledged the significant impact on the community and on law enforcement resources. The Court noted that the resolution addresses the primary concerns raised by both parties, including ensuring that Heskett will not be eligible for future law enforcement recertification.
As a result of the plea, counts two, three, five, six, and seven were dismissed.
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