Tag

18th Judicial District

Ex-Taekwondo instructor sentenced to five decades in prison for recording multiple children in changing rooms

On September 15, 2023, Douglas County District Judge Patricia Herron sentenced Erik Chen, 32, to 50 years in the Department of Corrections.

In March, Chen pleaded guilty to three counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Child, a class 3 Felony.

Background:

In February 2021, the Aurora Police Department was dispatched to Han Lee’s Taekwondo Academy in Aurora where Chen was employed. A father told investigators that his two daughters found Chen’s cell phone recording them while they were changing clothes in the Lone Tree Recreation Center’s changing room. The victims indicated they deleted the videos. An incident report was taken, but there was not enough probable cause or evidence to make an arrest at that time.

Then in June 2021, officers with the Castle Rock Police Department responded to the Castle Rock Recreation Center after a therapist stated one of her clients disclosed that Chen recorded them in the restroom of the recreation center in 2020.

The investigation revealed Chen ran summer camps for Han Lee’s Taekwondo Center, which has locations in Aurora and Lone Tree. On multiple occasions, detectives learned Chen left his backpack in a changing room or restroom with his cell phone recording in a side pocket. One of the victims reported noticing the phone hanging out the side of Chen’s backpack and went to turn it around out of caution and found it was recording.

In August 2021, a search warrant was issued for Chen’s electronic devices and home. Police seized multiple computers, CD’s and DVD’s which contained hundreds of thousands of images of child pornography depicting girls believed to be between the ages of 8 and 12.

“This defendant preyed on innocent, young children who trusted him as a camp leader,” Senior Deputy District Attorney Zoe Laird said. “I hope this sentence provides some sense of closure for his victims and at a minimum, it ensures the defendant won’t be able to victimize and exploit other children in our community while he serves his sentence in prison.”

In addition to the hundreds of thousands of pornographic images of young children, detectives discovered more than a half dozen videos Chen took in local bathrooms or locker rooms where young girls and one boy are seen changing clothes. Chen is also visible on some of the videos setting up the phone to record.

“I’m proud of these victims for having the courage to speak up and tell a trusted adult about what happened,” District Attorney John Kellner said. “By coming forward, these young girls likely saved many others from being victimized by this defendant. Our families should feel safer knowing he will no longer be around our children for a very long time.”

Upon release, Chen will be required to register as a sex offender.

“We commend our detectives for their diligent efforts and appreciate the District Attorney’s Office for its commitment to holding this individual accountable for his crimes,” Castle Rock Police Chief Jack Cauley said. “Our sincere hope is that this helps bring closure to all the victims as they continue their journey forward.”

Report of June 1, 2023 officer-involved shooting in Aurora involving 14-year-old juvenile

The official findings of an officer-involved shooting that occurred on June 1, 2023 in Aurora can be found here. If you have questions or need further assistance accessing this report, please call 720-874-8500 during normal business hours.

Arrest warrant issued in 2007 double-homicide cold case in Aurora

This week, an arrest warrant was issued for Alejandro Garcia-Loya, DOB 9-9-87, for a double-homicide case that occurred more than a decade ago in Aurora.

Garcia-Loya is charged with the following offenses:

First-Degree Murder After Deliberation (2 Counts)

On July 16, 2007, officers with the Aurora Police Department were dispatched to a welfare check call at an apartment in the 200 block of S. Jasper Circle. Family of Ignacio Zamudio-Estrada called police to share concerns that they had not heard from Ignacio in several days and that multiple phone calls went unanswered.

A responding officer arrived at the complex and opened an unlocked sliding back door. The officer immediately smelled an odor consistent with a decomposing body. Upon entry, officers found two deceased victims with severe trauma to their heads. Both were pronounced dead on-scene.

The victims were identified as:

Juan Ayala-Medina

Ignacio Zamudio-Estrada

Detectives with the Aurora Police Department searched the apartment and found a utility bill in the name of Alejandro Garcia-Loya, who was not related to either of the victims but resided in the apartment. Detectives also found a social security card with the name “Alejandro Garcia,” but discovered that social security card was fraudulent because the social security number on the card did not match the physical name.

Shortly after the murders, detectives sent several pieces of evidence from the apartment to CBI for examination. A spoon and a Mountain Dew can were collected from Alejandro’s room and later DNA tested. The results show the DNA collected from the items were from a single contributor. Fingerprints were also collected from Alejandro’s bedroom without any successful matches. In that same bedroom, a Walmart receipt was found showing a purchase of the Mountain Dew bottle and a youth baseball bat shortly before the crime took place. The youth baseball bat was not recovered.

Several years later, the Department of Homeland Security Latent Print Unit got a “hit” on the latent prints submitted in 2007. The fingerprints in the DHS system for Alejandro Garcia-Loya matched the five latent prints collected from the homicide scene.

On April 11, 2023, Aurora Police Detective Jason McDonald completed a review of this case and concluded the third roommate who fled to Mexico after killing Ignacio Zamudio-Estrada and Juan Ayala-Medina is Alejandro Garcia-Loya.

“The Aurora Police Department, along with the Major Crime Homicide Unit, is committed to finding justice for our victims and their families. Just because a case goes cold, does not mean it is forgotten,” said Major Crime Homicide Unit Sgt. Chris Cruser. “Our detectives are always looking for new leads, evidence and information to solve cases. This is just one example of their efforts and dedication.”

At this point in time, the defendant has not yet been apprehended. Anyone with information about his whereabouts can call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867.

“As time passes, cases can become tougher to solve,” Deputy District Attorney Grant Grosgebauer said. “No matter how much time passes, our Cold Case Unit is solely focused on holding offenders accountable and ensuring victims get justice.”

Jury finds plastic surgeon guilty of Attempted Reckless Manslaughter following patient’s death

On June 14, 2023, a jury found Dr. Geoffrey Kim, a plastic surgeon guilty of Attempted Reckless Manslaughter and Obstruction of Telephone Service following the death of a patient who came to his clinic for a breast augmentation procedure.

On August 1, 2019, Emmalyn Nguyen, 18, slipped into a coma and went into cardiac arrest after receiving anesthesia.

A nurse anesthetist testified on the witness stand that he advised Kim that the patient needed immediate medical attention in a hospital setting and that 9-1-1 should be called. Ultimately, the investigation revealed Kim failed to call for help for five hours after the patient went into cardiac arrest. The obstruction charge addressed testimony that several medical professionals, including two nurses had requested permission to call 911 to transfer care—requests that Kim, the owner of the surgery center, denied.

Nguyen ultimately passed away in a nursing home a year later in October 2020.

The defense claimed all of the blame lay at the hands of the nurse anesthetist. The People’s experts addressed care that might have made a difference after the arrest. The defense put on one expert, who testified that transferring care would not have made a difference. That same defense expert, however, also conceded that Kim did not act with the urgency required in the aftermath of Nguyen’s cardiac arrest, and that there was no reason not to have transferred care.

“We understand medical procedures don’t always go as planned, but this defendant showed a shocking and extreme lack of judgment and humanity by failing to call for an ambulance and denying his patient appropriate treatment in a hospital setting,” Chief Deputy District Attorney Gary Dawson said. “Patients put their trust in doctors and the outcome might have been different had the defendant sought appropriate medical care. This defendant made decisions based on what was best for his business and not for his patient.”

Kim faces up to 3 years in the Department of Corrections.

Sentencing is scheduled for September 8.

Two teens sentenced in 2021 shooting outside Hinkley High School in Aurora

Arapahoe County Judge Ryan James Stuart sentenced Dalen Brewer, 18, and Larry Jefferson, 17, to 7 years in the Youthful Offenders System for their roles in a 2021 shooting outside Hinkley High School.

On November 19, 2021, police officers in Aurora were dispatched to a shooting that occurred in the school’s parking lot. Just before 12 p.m. that day, surveillance cameras showed a white truck pulling into the lot and stopping near another vehicle. Several people got out of both cars and started arguing. The investigation later revealed the confrontation stemmed from an ongoing conflict between rival gang members.

Shots were fired in the parking lot and surveillance video shows multiple students running away from the scene. The parking lot surveillance camera also shows as the white suspect truck begins to drive North in the lot, Dalen Brewer, the driver, and Larry Jefferson, the passenger, are seen shooting handguns out of the window.

Brewer and Jefferson both pleaded guilty to 2^nd Degree Attempted Murder with no sentencing concessions and were sentenced by the judge to a 7-year sentence in the Youthful Offender System with a 25-year DOC sentence suspended upon successful completion of the program.

A third defendant’s case was sent to juvenile court for sentencing and per Juvenile statutes, we are unable to release that juvenile’s name or case file.

A fourth defendant, Alejandro H. Carillo, 19, will also be sentenced on April 17 after pleading guilty to 2^nd Degree Attempted Murder.

“No sentence can make the victims whole or take away the trauma of having your sense of safety at school shattered,” Chief Deputy District Attorney Andrew Steers said. “We respect the court’s decision to sentence to the Youthful Offender System.”

“These defendants put many lives at risk during what should have been a normal lunch hour on campus,” District Attorney John Kellner said. “Kids, their parents and teachers all deserve to feel safe at school. While no sentence can fully restore the lost feeling of security, it should deter future acts of senseless violence at school.”

Brewer was sentenced on April 3, 2023

Jefferson was sentenced on April 4, 2023

Douglas County judge sentences repeat felon to 96 years in prison for 2018 road rage shooting

Douglas County District Court Judge Theresa Slade sentenced Abraham Paquet, 34, to 96 years in prison after a jury convicted him of shooting and injuring another motorist in a random act of road rage.

During the rush hour commute on the evening of May 22, 2018, officers with the Parker Police Department were dispatched to a shots fired call at Parker Road and E-470.

A witness informed officers that two trucks were at a traffic light. As the light turned green, the witness saw a man pull out a gun and shoot at the other driver. The driver was able to drive to Parker Adventist Hospital for treatment after being struck in the hand. Multiple bullets had also hit the victim’s vehicle.

The Parker Police department did an extensive investigation reviewing hours of video and surveillance footage that helped lead officers to identify the Defendant. With the assistance of the FBI, law enforcement was able to connect the Defendant to this crime despite his efforts to avoid detection and alter evidence.

“Thanks to the tireless efforts of our law enforcement team, justice has been served and the perpetrator of this senseless, random act of violence has been brought to account,” Deputy DA Joel Zink said. “Our community is now a safer place.”

In February, a jury convicted Paquet on the following charges:

Attempted 1^st Degree Murder- Extreme Indifference

Assault 1- Serious Bodily Injury (SBI) with a Deadly Weapon

Assault 1- Extreme Indifference

Illegal Discharge of a Firearm

Weapon Possession by a Previous Offender

While the victim in this case survived, he did need hand surgery following the shooting.

“We’re fortunate the victim in this case did not sustain life-threatening injuries,” Deputy DA Corrie Caler said. “The defendant’s senseless actions put other innocent lives at risk and the community should feel safer knowing he’s off the streets.”

During the shooting, Paquet had a passenger in the vehicle. That co-defendant was charged and pleaded guilty to being an accessory to a crime—a class 5 felony.

“This felon endangered many lives and while we may never know the true motive for his violent actions, the fact is he should have never been in possession of a firearm,” District Attorney John Kellner said. “This lengthy prison sentence ensures the defendant won’t be able to victimize anyone else for the foreseeable future.”

Colorado District Attorneys’ Council honors trial team for solving 1981 cold case homicide

The prosecutors who brought justice for the family of Sylvia Quayle four decades following her murder in Cherry Hills Village were selected by the Colorado District Attorneys’ Council (CDAC) as the 2022 Outstanding Trial Team of the Year.

This prestigious award recognizes one team of prosecutors each year for exceptional work in solving challenging cases from the thousands of cases brought to trial over the course of the year. This year, the award honors a dedicated team from our Office who aggressively worked to solve this case and bring Quayle’s killer to justice.

The trial team members include Chief Deputy District Attorney Chris Gallo and Deputy District Attorney Grant Grosgebauer, Matt Hanagan, Investigator, Cathy Nevill, Paralegal and Colleen Vogel, Victim Advocate.

“I’m proud that Colorado’s prosecution community recognized the incredible work of this team,” District Attorney John Kellner said. “This case is a shining example of the fact that, no matter how many years have passed, we will never stop pursuing justice for victims and bringing closure to families.”

Prosecutors Christopher Gallo and Grant Grosgebauer noted the tremendous importance of a strong team.

“We get to stand up in court and make the closing argument, but a case like this is built from the ground up, with great investigative work from our partners at the Cherry Hills Village Police Department, along with DA Investigator Matthew Hanagan, who was critical in gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses,” they said. “This isn’t an award that belongs to one or two people. Without the countless hours of dedication from our spectacular victim advocate, Colleen Vogel, and our amazing Cold Case Paralegal, Cathy Nevill, this case would not have made it into a courtroom. We’re so glad that they are receiving the recognition they so richly deserve.”

Background on this Case:

On August 4, 1981, Sylvia Quayle’s body was found by her father, William, in the early morning hours. Sylvia lived alone at her home in Cherry Hills Village and became the victim of a brutal attack the night before. The attacker had cut the phone line outside her house so she couldn’t call for help. The investigation revealed Sylvia had been sexually assaulted, strangled, stabbed three times and was shot in the head and left to bleed to death on the floor of her living room.

Sylvia’s murder went unsolved for nearly four decades. In 2000, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) submitted a DNA sample to the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System, also known as CODIS. The DNA sample remained unidentified for two decades until advances in DNA linked Anderson to the crime.

In 2020, the Cherry Hills Village Police Department began working with a genetic genealogy company named United Data Connect. The company provided the police department with a possible lead after samples from the decades-old cold case were entered into two public DNA databases.

In 2021, an investigator with United Data Connect went to Anderson’s residence to discretely obtain a new DNA sample. That investigator collected trash bags from an apartment complex dumpster where Anderson resided. Lab results found DNA on a soda can from Anderson’s trash bag matched DNA collected from the crime scene.

Anderson was charged with two counts of first-degree murder (After Deliberation and Felony Murder) and initially went to trial in March 2022. After five days, jurors were unable to reach a verdict and a judge declared a mistrial.

The 18th Judicial District Attorney’s office took the case to trial again and on June 30, 2022, a jury returned guilty verdicts on both counts of murder. However, legal precedent only allows a defendant convicted of a single homicide to be sentenced on one homicide charge.

Based on the sentencing laws in effect at the time of the crime, Anderson received the maximum sentence—life behind bars with the possibility of parole after 20 calendar years.

Front Row (L to R): Cathy Nevill and Colleen Vogel

Back Row (L to R): Grant Grosgebauer, Matt Hanagan and Christopher Gallo

Aurora man convicted of attempted murder facing new charges after attacking victim during trial

On August 29, a jury found Daniel Ayala, 29, guilty of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon.

In June 2021, Aurora police responded to a hit-and-run crash involving a pedestrian near E. Kent Drive and E. Loyola Place. Upon arrival, officers found a 30-year-old man with injuries to his lower body.

The victim stated that as he was walking his dog, a white Chevrolet Avalanche accelerated toward him, striking him with the hood of the vehicle. The victim was taken by ambulance to Aurora South in critical condition.

During the investigation, the victim identified the driver as Ayala, a prior acquaintance. When questioned by police, Ayala admitted hitting the victim with his car on purpose.

Ayala was charged with Attempted Murder, Assault with a Deadly Weapon Causing Serious Bodily Injury, and two sentence enhancers for committing a violent crime with a weapon.

A jury convicted Ayala on all four charges following a 3-day trial.

“This defendant tried to kill the victim by running him over with his truck,” Chief Deputy District Attorney Andrew Steers said. “To make matters worse, this defendant then physically attacked the victim on the stand. The verdict is appropriate.”

As the victim was testifying during trial, Ayala, who was free on bond, jumped up from behind the defense table and repeatedly struck the victim in the face and body. Multiple individuals in the courtroom, including Deputy District Attorneys Chandler Neumann and Kate Tierney intervened and detained Ayala. Both the victim and Neumann sustained minor injuries.

“Attacking a victim while he is testifying is an insult to our justice system and something no witness should ever have to fear,” Deputy DA Chandler Neumann said. “The victim showed tremendous bravery throughout the trial and this verdict will finally provide the victim with some closure.”

Ayala’s bond has since been revoked and he will be sentenced in this case on October 28.

He also faces the following new charges as a result of the alleged courtroom assault:

Retaliation against a Witness/Victim (Class 3 Felony)

Third Degree Assault (M1)

Violation of a Protection Order (M1)

“Violence in our courtroom will not be tolerated under any circumstances,” District Attorney John Kellner said. “I believe the actions of our Deputy DAs and multiple citizens in that courtroom saved the victim from sustaining serious injuries. This was a righteous verdict.”

This case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorneys Chandler Neumann and Kate Tierney.

Aurora man sentenced to 60 years for killing girlfriend in apartment

Arapahoe County Judge Elizabeth Ann Weishaupl sentenced Dakota Chinnock, 21, to 60 years in the Department of Corrections for killing his 20-year-old girlfriend last year.

On the morning of September 5, 2021, Chinnock called police to report that he found his girlfriend unconscious and not breathing in their Aurora apartment.

When officers arrived, they discovered the victim, Amanda Farley, 20, lying face up on a bedroom floor with severe swelling to her face. One officer described her face as being “unrecognizable”. The investigation also revealed multiple human bite marks on Farley’s body.

When questioned by police, Chinnock suggested her death may have resulted from a home invasion. He claimed he had been drinking earlier in the night and when he woke up, the apartment was in disarray and Farley was in a pool of blood.

Investigators noted there was no smell of alcohol on Chinnock and there appeared to be no forced entry into the apartment unit. Hours prior to Chinnock calling police, witnesses living in the complex reported hearing yelling and a female crying from the apartment.

Surveillance video obtained by police also provided key evidence showing Chinnock and Farley arguing outside their apartment. Chinnock is seen grabbing an object resembling a propane tank and hitting Farley in the head with it. Surveillance footage then shows both going into the apartment and out of the camera’s view.

“The defendant brutally attacked this woman he supposedly loved for hours,” Deputy District Attorney Lisa Gramer said. “He ended the life of his high school sweetheart, whose only real mistake was that she loved him back.”

Chinnock pleaded guilty to 2nd Degree Murder and Kidnapping.

“I cannot address the pain, the suffering, the grief, and the loss that happened through Mr. Chinnock’s actions,” Judge Weishaupl said during sentencing. “There is no sentence I could give that would allow me to heal what Mr. Chinnock has done.”

Chinnock was sentenced to 48 years behind bars for 2^nd Degree Murder and 12 years on the Kidnapping charge.

“Mr. Chinnock received the maximum prison sentence allowed for 2^nd Degree Murder and quite frankly, he deserves to never walk the streets again,” District Attorney John Kellner said. “He came up with a phony story of a home invasion which was easily debunked by the physical evidence.”