A former Aurora police officer who pleaded guilty to DUI and other counts in Douglas County Court was sentenced last week to 18 months probation.
Joshua Teeples
Joshua James Teeples, 32, pleaded guilty in February to driving under the influence, failure to report an accident and careless driving. On June 8, Douglas County Judge Kolony Fields sentenced him to probation; prosecutors asked for 60 days in jail. The court also ordered therapy, community service, court costs and fines.
“Any time my office is presented with a prosecutable case against a law enforcement officer, we will not — we have not — hesitated to charge the offense and pursue justice,” said District Attorney George Brauchler. “Here, the Castle Rock Police Department gave this officer no special treatment, and neither did we. Anyone who vows to uphold the law must be held to that same law. No person is above the law.”
The 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office has prosecuted at least 36 criminal cases against law enforcement officers since District Attorney Brauchler was elected.
On Aug. 27, 2019, Castle Rock Police responded to reports of a hit-and-run crash at Plum Creek Parkway and I-25. A Nissan Armada had run a red light and hit another vehicle, which was shoved into a third vehicle.
Officers learned the Armada was registered to Teeples and found both him and the damaged vehicle at his home.
Officers observed that Teeples had slurred speech, unsteady balance and bloodshot, watery eyes. Officers smelled alcohol on his breath. Teeples refused voluntary roadside tests and also refused a breath or blood test.
During the booking process Teeples repeatedly asked to be allowed to call his Aurora Police watch commander and told a Castle Rock officer that “rules are meant to be bent.” Teeples was combative and belligerent to the point that the officer said his “conduct was absolutely unacceptable and he made the booking process one of the worst booking processes in my career as an officer.”
Aurora Police Chief Vanessa Wilson announced Teeples’ termination on June 15.