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District Attorney George Brauchler

STEM School shooter will spend rest of his life in prison

The man who plotted and carried out a mass shooting at STEM School Highlands Ranch – killing student Kendrick Castillo and wounding six students in the process – was sentenced Sept. 17 to life in prison without the possibility of parole plus 1,282½ years.

Devon Erickson

Douglas County District Court Judge Theresa Slade sentenced Devon Erickson, 20. He was found guilty June 15 of all 46 criminal counts against him after a 12-day jury trial.

Castillo was killed and six other students were shot at the school on May 7, 2019. Two additional students in neighboring classrooms were also injured.

The prosecution team consisted of Chief Deputy District Attorney George Brauchler, Chief Deputy District Attorney Christopher Gallo, Chief Deputy District Attorney Rebecca Gleason and Senior Chief Deputy District Attorney Christopher Wilcox.

The jury convicted Erickson of:
• 1 count of first-degree murder after deliberation
• 1 count of first-degree murder, extreme indifference
• 1 count of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder after deliberation
• 6 counts of attempted first-degree murder after deliberation
• 25 counts of attempted first-degree murder, extreme indifference
• 1 count of second-degree arson
• 1 count of conspiracy to commit second-degree arson
• 1 count of providing a handgun to a juvenile
• 1 count of third-degree burglary
• 1 count of conspiracy to commit third-degree burglary
• 1 count of theft
• 1 count of conspiracy to commit theft
• 1 count of possession of a weapon on school grounds
• 1 count of criminal mischief
• 1 count of conspiracy to commit criminal mischief
• 1 count of interference with school staff
• 1 count of reckless endangerment

48-year sentence for kidnapping, sex assault in Douglas County

A convicted sex offender who kidnapped, beat and sexually assaulted a woman in Douglas County was sentenced Monday to 48 years in prison.

Paul E. Nader

Douglas County District Court Judge Patricia Herron sentenced Paul E. Nader, 32, after he pleaded guilty to first-degree assault and aggravated robbery. The Sept. 23, 2020, plea agreement also included 2 sentence enhancers for the crimes of violence.

“This defendant is unfit to be in society and unable to participate in the world,” the victim told the judge during sentencing Jan. 4, 2021, via Webex. “Each sex assault case is worse than the prior. I highly doubt the next victim will be as lucky as me.”

She added: “I have and will continue to thrive after being kidnapped, beaten and sexually assaulted. Others might not be so lucky. … I did what I did so it couldn’t happen to anyone else.”

On Aug. 14, 2018, Lone Tree police responded to a coffee shop to investigate a reported kidnapping. Witnesses said they saw a man force a woman into her own vehicle and drive off with her.

A short time later, Douglas County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a gas station. Witnesses reported seeing a man and woman get out of a vehicle. When the man wasn’t looking, the woman mouthed “Call 911.” A passerby did just that.

The subsequent investigation revealed the man approached the woman in the parking lot with a knife. He physically and sexually assaulted her in the vehicle until he stopped at the gas station, where she was able to get help.

Nader was living in Colorado Springs as a registered sex offender after a 2013 conviction in Jefferson County.

“For what the victim went through that day, no sentence is enough,” Senior Deputy District Attorney Brian Eckhardt told the judge during sentencing. “She speaks of her ordeal more eloquently than I am able to.”

Eckhardt prosecuted the case with Senior Deputy District Attorney Valerie Brewster.

“The victim here is a study in courage and persistence. Despite enduring unimaginable terror, she kept her wits, escaped her captor, assisted in his capture and finally saw him brought to justice through this prosecution,” said District Attorney George Brauchler. “This defendant and his outrageous conduct … this is why we build prisons. For those of the ‘everyone can be rehabilitated’ delusion, what possible classes, coloring books, or educational opportunities will fix a person who engages in this evil?”

Man indicted in girl’s death from fentanyl

The 18th Judicial District Grand Jury has indicted Jorge Alexander Che-Quiab for the murder of a 16-year-old girl from Lakewood who was killed Aug. 7, 2020, in Aurora; the coroner determined she died from mixed alcohol and fentanyl toxicity.

Che-Quiab, 25, is being held on a $2,000,000 bond in the Arapahoe County Jail. He has been charged with 13 counts:

• Murder 1, extreme indifference, a Class 1 felony
• Murder 1, felony murder, a Class 1 felony
• 2 counts of distribution of a controlled substance to a minor, a Class 1 drug felony
• 2 counts of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, a Class 1 drug felony
• Sex assault on a child, a Class 4 felony
• Enticement of a child, a Class 4 felony
• 3 counts of contributing the delinquency of a minor, a Class 4 felony
• Sex assault , a Class 4 felony
• Criminal attempt to commit sex assault on an incapacitated victim, a Class 3 felony

“It is incredibly concerning that unsuspecting drug users could inadvertently be consuming fentanyl, which is 50 times stronger than oxycodone,” said District Attorney George Brauchler. “In this case, we have a juvenile victim who was given what she thought was ‘oxy,’ and she is dead from a fentanyl overdose. This is a warning to illegal drug users: The risk cannot be overstated, and it is death.”

The next court date is a status conference on Dec. 9 at 1:30 p.m. in Div. 206.

Criminal charges are merely a formal accusation that an individual has committed a crime. A defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

17 years in prison for school employee who preyed on students

A former school employee who preyed on five girls at Rangeview High School was sentenced to 17 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections.

James Dolmas

James Dolmas, 29, was employed as a hall monitor and theater assistant at the school. He used his position to gain the trust of underage girls, then solicited and exchanged sexually exploitative photos with them, had unlawful sexual contact with some of them and had sex in the school with one of the students. He derived sexual pleasure from violence, and the sexual contacts left physical marks on the girls. He was arrested in July 2019.

He pleaded guilty Aug. 10, 2020, to two counts sexual exploitation of a child, a Class 3 felony. Other counts against him were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

Prosecutors asked for 20 years in prison, the maximum sentenced allowed under the plea agreement.

“This defendant sexually assaulted four girls. … These are not mistakes – these are crimes. And he asked the victims to help him cover up his actions,” Deputy District Attorney Elizabeth Gramer said in her sentencing argument on Nov. 24. “He physically and sexually abused them. He started very manipulative relationships with these victims. … He got them used to pain, because he found that arousing. He did this at the school to students. It was about power and control.”

Many of the victims and their families also spoke via Webex during sentencing.

“What he did using his position of trust left me feeling that I was the one who did something wrong. I did trust him, and I was vulnerable,” one victim said. “I was too terrified and ashamed to tell anyone.”

“It is soul-crushing to know you were unable to protect your child,” one mother said. “The school should be a safe place.”

She asked Arapahoe County District Court Judge Shay Whitaker to impose lengthy time in prison.

“The sexual contact and the volume of actions and number of girls is very concerning. But what is most disturbing is the violence,” Whitaker said. “He preyed on these girls.”

“There is a line in the sand, and no matter what students do, it is the adults’ responsibility to stand hard and fast on the right side of that line. A violation of that trust is shattering.”

She imposed a sentence of 17 years in the Department of Corrections.

District Attorney George Brauchler praised the sentence and added a precautionary note.

“Here is yet another school employee who treats our schools like they are a candy shop. How can our system craft an appropriate sentence for the exploitation of innocent children for lascivious personal satisfaction? Yes, prison protects our children for a while, but when this criminal is released, he will still harbor the cravings that put kids at risk,” Brauchler said. “Coloradans should know that there are those in the legislature who intend to further weaken the laws that protect our kids from sexual deviants. When they launch their bills next year, tell them how you feel about choosing offenders over victims.”

$2.5 million restitution ordered in black-market marijuana case

Four investors defrauded in a black-market marijuana trafficking scheme have been awarded nearly $2.5 million in restitution after the mastermind of the criminal enterprise was found guilty of racketeering and securities fraud, among other crimes.

Scott Pack

After a two-day hearing, Arapahoe District Court Michael Spear ordered the victims be paid restitution for the harm Scott Pack caused them when he took their money on false pretenses.

“It is fitting that Pack’s insatiable greed and disregard for Colorado’s laws has now resulted in the law divesting him of much of his ill-gotten gains,” said District Attorney George Brauchler. “This is a significant amount of money to pay in restitution, even for a rich California kid who lives at his parents’ property. I am pleased the victims will be provided some of what was taken from them.”

The judge awarded restitution in the amounts of $199,935; $299,935; $950,000; and $1,050,000.

Pack was indicted in June 2017 along with 19 others after an investigation that started in August 2016. At that time law enforcement found an illegal marijuana operation at a site in Elizabeth. Investigators discovered 845 marijuana plants weighing 2,535 pounds worth more than $5 million.

That was the beginning of an investigation that uncovered a major drug trafficking organization that was involved in illegally cultivating, processing and distributing marijuana and marijuana products to at least five states. The DTO produced well over 300 pounds of marijuana each month at sites in Denver, Elizabeth and Colorado Springs. The distribution was arranged and executed throughout Arapahoe, Douglas and Elbert counties, and other locations along the Front Range.

The DTO used the guise of a licensed and legal business – Harmony & Green and various iterations — to cultivate and distribute marijuana illegally. Harmony & Green never produced any marijuana that was legally sold. No legal marijuana sales were reported or marijuana taxes paid.

Pack, at the top of the drug enterprise, played a pivotal role, taking the proceeds of black-market marijuana as well as soliciting investors to back the enterprise through fraudulent statements and empty promises.

Pack and various associates scammed investors out of millions of dollars while Harmony & Green never once sold legal marijuana in Colorado but instead provided a front for a successful illegal marijuana trafficking operation.

A jury convicted Pack of two counts under the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act (COCCA) – pattern of racketeering and conspiracy; a first-class drug felony; conspiracy to cultivate marijuana; and two counts of securities fraud.

He was sentenced in July to 12 years in prison.

Elbert jury convicts Elizabeth man of felony DUI

In the first felony trial in Elbert County under current COVID-19 restrictions, a jury found an Elizabeth man guilty of felony DUI after deliberating about 40 minutes.

The jury of 12 found Joseph Robert Hendershott, 57, guilty of driving under the influence with 3 or more priors, a Class 4 felony; and careless driving, a Class 2 traffic offense. The trial lasted two days; the verdict was read Oct 28.

“I am pleased that our judges and criminal justice system partners continue to prove that we can pursue justice and protect constitutional rights even during a global pandemic. This community is well-served,” said District Attorney George Brauchler, who tried the case with Senior Deputy District Attorney Rory Devlin. “Here, a career drunk driver, who avoided injuring or killing an innocent person by the grace of God, received a full and fair trial and now faces a full and fair prison sentence. Nothing less will protect our community.”

On Dec. 16, 2018, Elbert County Sheriff’s deputies were called to the Walmart parking lot in Elizabeth about a possible impaired driver. Witnesses reported seeing the driver, Hendershott, drive his Ford Ranger pickup into the ditch along Colorado 86 and swerve into traffic.

Deputies observed that Hendershott has bloodshot, watery eyes and slurred speech. He was unsteady on his feet and wearing only socks. Hendershott told deputies he was on three heart medications; he refused roadside sobriety tests.
Deputies found where it appeared the truck has sideswiped a chain-link fence in the parking lot, scraping the side of the truck and knocking off the passenger side mirror.

Court records show Hendershott previously was convicted of DUI in 2002 in Douglas County, in 2004 in Elbert County, in 2007 in Douglas County, and in 2008 in South Dakota.

Sentencing is set before Elbert County District Court Judge Gary Kramer on Jan. 5, 2021, at 2:30. The presumptive sentencing range is two to six years in the Department of Corrections. The charge is eligible for probation.

304 years for leader of human trafficking & forgery ring

The leader of a human trafficking and forgery ring was sentenced last week to 304 years in prison, one of the longest sentences ever for trafficking.

Chauncey Price

Douglas County District Court Judge Theresa Slade sentenced Chauncey Price, 30, during a hearing on Oct. 8. The sentence is 304 years to life in the Colorado Department of Corrections, an indeterminate sentence. A jury found Price guilty in December of 13 counts including COCCA, human trafficking for sexual servitude, pandering of a child and forging a government security. His sentence was enhanced because the court found him to be a habitual offender as Price had been convicted previously of four separate felonies, including two instances of burglary.

Three of his victims testified during the trial how he forced them to have sex with strangers for money that they had to turn over to him. He and his associates placed online ads offering the women and girls, then rented hotel rooms for the sex acts.

During sentencing on Oct. 8, an advocate read a statement from one of his victims.

“Chauncey promised to take care of me. At first he paid for my drug habit and food and let me stay for free. But nothing is free. … He threatened to kill my sister if I didn’t work for him – that is when he turned me out. He kept pushing me to sleep with more and more men, up to eight a day. …

“I couldn’t even use the bathroom without someone watching me. Once I didn’t eat for 3 days,” the victim wrote in describing the humiliation, subjugation, pain and terror she lived through while Price prostituted her.

She added: “I want to make it clear that I came forward to save others from him … He exploited young girls, controlled them and manipulated them. He will continue to do that if he ever gets out.”

Senior Deputy District Attorney Kelley Dziedzic spoke of what Price did to his victims in asking the judge for a sentence of 304 years, with consecutive sentences for each named victim.

“Any reasonable good person would have looked at these victims and would have extended sympathy or empathy, but Price only looked at them and saw opportunity,” Dziedzic said. “His victims will live with the repercussions of his actions for the rest of their lives. They have a lifelong struggle ahead of them.”

Dziedzic, who prosecuted the case with Chief Deputy District Attorney Christopher Gallo, also made note of Price’s extensive criminal history.

“He has been given deferred judgments and had them revoked. He has had probation revoked. He had community corrections revoked. He was in prison, and he committed new acts while out on parole. While out on bond in this case, he tried to contact one of his victims,” she said. “He has repeatedly turned his back on opportunities for rehabilitation. … In this case that stretched over nearly a year, he had numerous chances to step away, but he never chose to change his behavior.”

Five co-defendants previously were charged and sentenced in the case. Two of those cases included drug charges.

The criminal ring was also involved in producing counterfeit currency and used the trafficking victims to pass the fake money at businesses across the state. Two co-defendants received sentences for forgery.

“This horrendous case highlights why my office pushed for the creation of a Human Trafficking Unit,” said District Attorney George Brauchler. “Traffickers trade in flesh and destroy souls, by using up their victims to further their criminal enterprises, with no regard whatsoever for the lives of fellow human beings. What possible rehabilitation can there be for someone who repeatedly and wantonly engages in this inhuman conduct? Spoiler alert: There is none. This is why we build prisons.

“Know, too, that these crimes occur in every community, right under the noses of law-abiding citizens. I am proud of the hard work we continue to do with law enforcement in my jurisdiction to stop the scourge of human trafficking.”

Participating agencies included the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Lone Tree Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Johnstown Police Department, Lakewood Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service.

On Dec. 17, 2019, a Douglas County jury found Price guilty of these counts:
• VIOLATION OF COLORADO ORGANIZED CRIME CONTROL ACT, C.R.S. 18-17-104(3) (F2)
• TRAFFICKING A MINOR FOR SEXUAL SERVITUDE, C.R.S. 18-3-504(2) (F2)
• HUMAN TRAFFICKING FOR SEXUAL SERVITUDE, C.R.S. 18-3-504 (F3)
• CRIMINAL ATTEMPT TO COMMIT PIMPING OF A CHILD, C.R.S. 18-7-405;18-2-101 (F4)
• CRIMINAL ATTEMPT TO COMMIT PATRONIZING A PROSTITUTED CHILD, C.R.S. 18-7-406(1)(a);18-2-101 (F4)
• PANDERING OF A CHILD, C.R.S. 18-7-403(1)(b) (F3)
• 2 counts of PIMPING, C.R.S. 18-7-206 (F3)
• 3 counts of FORGERY, C.R.S. 18-5-102(1)(a) (F5)
• POSSESSION OF FORGED INSTRUMENT, C.R.S. 18-5-105 (F6)
• POSSESSION OF A FORGERY DEVICE, C.R.S. 18-5-109(1)(d) (F6)

“This is not a normal sentence, but this was not a normal crime. You are not a defendant who deserves a minimum sentence,” Judge Slade told Price during sentencing. “You were a master at victimizing these women. … There is absolutely nothing this court can do to make these women whole.”

The longest sentence in a human trafficking case was handed down by Arapahoe County District Court Judge Peter Michaelson in November 2017 on habitual offender Brock Franklin, the leader of a trafficking ring. That sentence was announced as 472 years to life in prison, but the court later determined it had miscalculated Michaelson’s order; Franklin was actually sentenced to 400 years.

DA Brauchler talks marijuana regulation with Israeli legislators

It’s not every day that a Colorado district attorney testifies before a committee of the Israeli legislature, called the Knesset. But last week 18th Judicial District Attorney George Brauchler did just that, via Zoom.

The nation of Israel approved medical cannabis in June 2016, and now legislators are looking toward decriminalization and regulation of recreational marijuana.

The Special Committee on Drugs and Alcohol of the Israseli Knesset listens to District Attorney George Brauchler via Zoom.

As district attorney of Colorado’s most-populous judicial district since voters passed Amendment 64 in 2012, Brauchler was in a unique position to offer perspective and guidance to the Knesset’s Special Committee on Drugs and Alcohol.

Chairwoman Michal Kotler-Wench of the Blue & White Party facilitated the Sept. 22 discussion, which took place at 12:30 a.m. Denver time, in English with Hebrew translation.

District Attorney George Brauchler talks via Zoom to the Special Committee on Drugs and Alcohol of the Israeli Knesset.

“We have seen the professionalization of the black market for marijuana, with people coming to Colorado from other states and other countries,” Brauchler told the committee. “Because we were the first state to legalize and regulate recreational marijuana, we became an exporting hub for entrepreneurs operating outside the legal framework.”

Brauchler talked about some of the difficulties created by people being allowed to grow large quantities of marijuana in their homes, as well as increases in some crimes and mental health issues. Committee members asked questions about marijuana-impaired driving, cannabis taxation and juvenile use. They asked for District Attorney Brauchler’s advice as they move forward.

“Be sure to have metrics in place, and be sure to address potency. Create a regulatory environment for cultivation as well as retail sales,” he cautioned the Israeli legislators. “The black market never goes away. But it is an affront to the legal system, and you need to protect those who are trying to follow the law.”

Kotler-Wench thanked District Attorney Brauchler for speaking to the committee. She said, “We understand that in Israel, we must have an orderly plan (for marijuana decriminalization and legalization), otherwise the process will fail.”

Dates for 2020 Fall Citizen’s Academy announced

District Attorney George Brauchler is pleased to announce the dates for the 2020 Fall Citizens Academy.

This free, three-week virtual academy will be held Monday through Thursday evenings, Sept. 21 – Oct. 8, 2020.

Each class will explore the role of various members of the office in different parts of the criminal justice system. The academy will give students an in-depth look at what happens on a case between the time of arrest and sentencing.

Participants will join a Zoom meeting each night from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Participant Instructions

Sign up for the Zoom academy in advance at this link : Zoom registration
We recommend you participate from a tablet, laptop or desktop so you can ask questions using the chat function.

Participants are asked to log in 15 minutes early. If you have never used Zoom, simply click on the link you get a registration, and the application will ask to install the first time you attempt to join the meeting.

The host will mute all participants; you can choose whether or not you want to have your web cam on.

Presentations will start right at 6 p.m., a different one each day. During the presentation, participants can type questions using the chat feature. A moderator will screen the questions and ask as many as time permits.

Completion certificates are available to those who participate in every session; contact Alejandra Flores in advance at aflores@da18.state.co.us

Other questions about the virtual Citizens Academy should be directed to Jamie Sorrells at jsorrells@da18.state.co.us.us

Maximum sentence for driver who killed Parker cyclist

A Nebraska man has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for the hit-and-run crash that killed avid cyclist Edward Charles “Chuck” Vogel, Jr., of Parker.

Preston James Dorris

Douglas County District Court Judge Theresa Slade sentenced Preston James Dorris, 37, after he pleaded guilty Feb. 25 to three charges in the July 4, 2019, crash.

Vogel was riding his bicycle southbound on Pine Drive in unincorporated Douglas County when he was hit from behind by a Kia Spectra driven by Dorris. The crash happened at 6:25 a.m. Vogel died the next day.

The Kia was found abandoned in Parker on July 5, 2019. Detectives traced the car through the registered owner to Dorris. He was arrested outside Alliance, Neb., on July 12. Dorris had come to Colorado to buy drugs.

“This case literally hit close to home. My kids and I ride bikes in that area and on that road,” said District Attorney George Brauchler. “This man was a pillar in the Parker community and gave untold volunteer hours to help others. Mr. Vogel was taken from us by a selfish coward who hit him and drove off. The public should know that Colorado’s incredibly weak laws in the area mean that this killer likely will be back on our streets in less than six years. Coloradans … the Vogels … deserve better.”

Vogel’s family and friends gave impact statements during the Aug. 28 sentencing hearing. Close to 80 people on Webex joined those physically in the courtroom.

“This defendant didn’t call for help, and he didn’t turn himself in – he just waited for law enforcement to find him. He has a total disregard for human life,” one friend told the court in asking for the maximum sentence. “He tore apart the lives of Chuck’s family and friends. Give him the same mercy he gave Chuck.”

“On July 4, 2019, I had to drive from Salt Lake City to Denver with my pregnant wife, knowing I was going home to watch my father die,” Vogel’s son said. “He was left on the side of the road to die – not surrounded by friends and family, but alone. … And now his granddaughter will never get to know her grandpa.”

Vogel’s widow added her thoughts.

“Chuck was left on the side of the road like a piece of trash. That was my husband, my best friend – he never regained consciousness and was on life support” she told the court. This defendant “has shown he will not choose rehabilitation, and now it is time for him to be held accountable … This was a crime, and he needs to pay – not just for Chuck, but for all those pedestrians and cyclists out there.”

Prosecutors cited the defendant’s prior criminal history in sentencing arguments, noting that Dorris has had 2 felony and 23 misdemeanor convictions since 2003. Chief Deputy District Attorney John Kellner asked for the maximum sentence of 18 years.

Dorris “never braked, slowed down, swerved or turned back. The defendant wasn’t speeding. It was clear – he could see 310 feet ahead,” said Kellner, who prosecuted the case with Deputy District Attorney Meghan Gallo. “Marijuana and an open bottle of vodka were found in the abandoned car. … He stole the life from Chuck Vogel and deprived Mr. Vogel’s family and his community of many years of his contributions.”

Judge Slade spoke at length to Dorris before imposing a sentence.

“In this time of COVID, I am struck that life is fragile enough without people doing what you did. What you did that day and the days following is cowardly – there is no other way to describe it. There is no way to defend that,” she said.

She added: Mr. Vogel “would have been the first one in line to make sure you had what you needed. That’s the kind of guy you took away from the community.”

She imposed the maximum sentence of 18 years.

Dorris pleaded guilty to:
• Leaving the scene of an accident involving death, a Class 3 felony
• Vehicular homicide – reckless driving, a Class 4 felony
• Careless Driving- — vulnerable road user, a traffic misdemeanor. This is a new law from 2019.

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