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Castle Rock Police Department

Man sentenced for shooting in Castle Rock grocery parking lot

An Aurora man was sentenced to 25 years in prison for shooting a King Soopers customer in the parking lot of the Ridge Road store in Castle Rock.

Hugo Vazquez-Topete

Hugo Vazquez-Topete, 29, pleaded guilty Dec. 17 to one count of first-degree assault, a Class 3 felony. Other counts were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

“This defendant has a previous criminal history. In this case, for a perceived minor slight, he didn’t hesitate to pull out a gun and fire at a group of people he didn’t even know,” said Senior Deputy District Attorney Jake Adkins, who prosecuted the case with Deputy District Attorney Lauren Raible. “In addition to almost killing the victim, he also endangered numerous people and showed a complete disregard for the value of human life. The time for second chances has passed, and a prison sentence is the appropriate consequence for his actions.”

On Aug 6, 2019, Vazquez-Topete and two associates picked up money at the Western Union counter in the store, then went to the pumps to get gas. The victim was gassing up with several friends.

The groups exchanged words, and the victim and his friends got in their car and drove to the exit.

While they were at the stoplight, Vazquez-Topete and one of his associates fired a gun at their car. The victim was hit by one round in the chest.

Vazquez-Topete and his associates fled the scene in an older Chevy Suburban. The victim was taken to a hospital and survived.

The victims and their attackers did not know each other.

Castle Rock Police investigators interviewed witnesses and retrieved surveillance video. They were able to identify the three men in the Suburban. They determined Vazquez-Topete fired the shot that hit the victim. He was arrested in Denver.

One associate did not participate in the crime and was not charged.

Benito Bautista

Benito Bautista, 27, of Denver, fired at the victim’s car but did not hit anyone. He pleaded guilty Nov. 3, 2020, to one count of attempted first-degree assault, a Class 4 felony. Other counts were dismissed as part of the plea agreement. Bautista was sentenced Jan. 21, 2021, to 14 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections.

“The Castle Rock Police Department quickly identified these suspects and gathered evidence for a strong case,” said Raible. “Because of their work, these two are no longer able to be a danger in the community.”

Castle Rock burglar who posed as inspector sentenced

A convicted felon on parole posed as a fire inspector to case businesses in Castle Rock and disable their security systems, returning later to break into their safes.

Michael James Loupe

The scheme unraveled in February 2020 after Michael James Loupe, 47, broke into four restaurants in the same night. Castle Rock police officers tracked him down after Department of Corrections employees recognized Loupe from the Crime Stoppers alert.

Loupe pleaded guilty Oct. 13 to one count of second-degree burglary, one count of third-degree burglary and one count of criminal impersonation. Other charges were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

On. Oct. 18, Douglas County District Court Judge Theresa Slade sentenced Loupe to 20 years in prison.

“What this defendant did was economically harmful to the businesses he targeted, but it was more insidious than that alone,” said Deputy District Attorney Joel Zink, who prosecuted Loupe. “He also attacked our trust for one another as community members. This sentence holds him accountable for his manipulative actions and serves as a warning to others who would seek to do the same.”

Loupe had a criminal history including theft, burglary and robbery. He most recently spent time at the Rifle Correctional Facility, where as a prison trustee he examined fire alarm systems and ran tests of the alarms. He was paroled in October 2019; his ankle monitor was removed in January 2020 after he complied with terms of his parole.

Report of Dec. 8, 2020 shooting in Castle Rock

Review of the shooting of James Woodall by Castle Rock Police Officers James Dinges and Luke Godfrey at a home on Short Grass Court

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Former school staffer pleads guilty in “upskirt” video case

A former school staffer has pleaded guilty to a Class 6 felony for taking “upskirt” videos at the school.

Steven Michael Jenkins, 56, pleaded guilty to one count of “invasion of privacy for sexual gratification” where the victim was under 15 years old. As part of the plea agreement, other counts against Jenkins were dismissed.

After the allegations came to light, Jenkins was fired from his job as an instructional coach at Renaissance Secondary School in Castle Rock.

“We send our children to school to be educated, not to be exploited. As a parent of public school-educated children, I am appalled at what appears to be a steady stream of those in positions of trust who victimize our kids,” said District Attorney George Brauchler. “I remain committed to holding accountable those who treat the vulnerable among us as sources of sexual gratification.”

Sentencing is set for July 10 at 1:30 p.m. Sentencing options range from probation to jail to prison. Jenkins also must register as a sex offender.

38 years in prison for man who beat, tortured his brother

A 52-year-old man was sentenced Wednesday to 38 years in prison for brutally beating and torturing his 49-year-old brother.

James Naas

A Douglas County jury on March 9 found James Naas guilty of first-degree assault, among other charges. On May 30, Judge David Stevens sentenced Nass to a total of 38 years in prison.

“Under our laws, there is no ‘big brother’ or ‘family member’ defense to abuse. This conduct was not mistaken or accidental. It was deliberate, and that is criminal. The fact that it was against a family member is shameful,” said District Attorney George Brauchler. “Of course, Naas forced a jury to impose responsibility on him for a level of violence and sadism that calls out for long-term incarceration. I am glad the years of abuse and violence are finally over for this victim.”

On June 28, 2016, Castle Rock police began an investigation at Adventist Hospital after being notified that a patient there had been assaulted.

The patient initially told officers he had been attacked by strangers. Further investigation revealed the man had been attacked by his older brother for calling the police to report the brother had been destroying his property.

The victim told police his brother, James Naas, had:
• Hit the back of his head with vice grips
• Kicked him in the ribs
• Threatened to pull out his teeth with pliers
• Whipped his back with a metal dog chain
• Put out cigarettes on his face
• Struck his ankle with a hammer
• Cut his leg with a razor

Doctors diagnosed a large cut to the back of the victim’s head, a broken ankle, multiple bruises and cuts on his body, and cigarette burns on his face.

In asking for a 49-year sentence, prosecutors noted that James Naas had abused his brother his entire life.

“This defendant has had a lifetime of exhibiting violence and uncontrollable rage,” said Deputy District Attorney Val Brewster, who prosecuted the case with Deputy District Attorney Dan Warhola. “Even now, from the jail, the defendant classified the beating and torture as a ‘little fight.’ ”

Defense counsel sought the minimum sentence of 25 years.

Judge Stevens sentenced Naas to 15 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections for each of two counts of first-degree assault; and 8 years in DOC for one count of attempted first-degree assault. The sentences will be served consecutively. A one-year sentence for tampering with evidence and a one-year sentence for third-degree assault will be served concurrently.

Report on Dec. 24, 2017 shooting in Castle Rock

Review of nonfatal shooting of Charles Walter Rees by Castle Rock Police Officer Paul Smith at house on South Sierra Drive

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No prison for drunk driver who killed Army veteran

Almost six years to the day after he killed an Afghanistan war veteran while driving drunk, a Monument man found out he will be going to jail.

Daniel Swecker

A Douglas County District judge on Thursday, Feb. 22, sentenced Daniel Swecker, 47, to 180 days in jail and four years of probation in the death of Nelson Marvin Canada.

“I respect the court and the process the court employed, but I respectfully and strongly disagree with the decision,” said District Attorney George Brauchler. “This was a guy who was operating on his third DUI. He ran over and killed an active duty soldier, one who had survived a deployment to Afghanistan only to be run over by a repeat drunk driver. Then, Swecker fled the scene to avoid apprehension and responsibility. He never himself said he was responsible for killing this good man. Today he walked out of here not having to spend 10 seconds in prison.”

Swecker was driving drunk on Interstate 25 in Castle Rock on Feb. 25, 2012, when he hit and killed Canada, who was 24.

Canada was a passenger in a vehicle with a driver who he believed was intoxicated. Canada got the driver to stop so Canada, who was sober, could take the wheel.

Swecker hit Canada, who was in the right lane. Swecker walked away from the scene, leaving Canada’s body in the roadway.

A jury on May 27, 2014, found Swecker guilty of vehicular homicide DUI and leaving the scene of a deadly accident. On July 11, 2014, a judge sentenced Swecker to six years in prison but ruled he could stay out on bond while he appealed his conviction.

Swecker’s appeals were denied all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

“Every step of the way, the defendant avoided taking any responsibility for his conduct. He blamed the victims and the way the road was built and the lab that tested his blood, but a jury of Douglas County citizens didn’t buy it,” said Senior Deputy District Attorney Chris Wilcox, who prosecuted the case. “Their verdict still speaks loud and clear: He drove drunk and killed a father and husband in our community.”

Swecker’s motion to have his sentence reconsidered was granted, and a hearing was held Jan. 18. Today the judge issued her decision. Swecker received 90 days jail on each count of which he was found guilty, to be served consecutively. He must report to jail March 5. He was also sentenced to four years probation. The original sentence is suspended, pending successful completion of probation.

“If the public needed another example of what is wrong with our law when it comes to vehicular homicide and DUI, here it is,” Brauchler said. “No person on their third DUI who runs over and kills a person and flees the scene should ever avoid prison. Colorado’s laws on vehicular homicide are weak, and this is proof of it.”