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Parker Police Department

Parker dad convicted of child porn charges

A Douglas County jury found a father of young girls guilty of 36 felonies related to possessing child pornography.

John Arthur Murray

John Arthur Murray, 36, amassed the images between September 2009 and November 2017 at his home in Parker. His crimes came to light Nov. 24, 2017, when his wife at the time discovered the images while trying to download family photos from his computer’s hard drive.

The now ex-wife contacted Parker Police. Upon investigation with the Arapahoe County Computer Crime Lab, Parker Police discovered more than 400 images of interest, including 35 images that depicted children previously identified as being victims of child pornography by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

The defendant is a father of two underage girls, and most of the images were of girls between the ages of 13-15.

“For most men, becoming a dad creates an awareness of the innocence and vulnerability of all children and the solemn obligation to protect them. But not here. Murray invited hundreds of images of children being exploited into the house where his own children slept, and in so doing, he continued to fuel the demand for child pornography,” said District Attorney George Brauchler. “Coloradans should know that our weak laws make this depravity punishable by as little as probation. Our communities deserve better, to ensure child-porn aficionados will be punished appropriately.”

Senior Deputy District Attorney Kelley Dziedzic prosecuted the case.

On May 10, 2019, the jury found Murray guilty of 35 counts of sexual exploitation of a child / possession of materials and one count of sexual exploitation of a child / possession of 20+ items.

Sentencing is set for Aug. 2.

Investigator guilty of official oppression in Parker incident

A Douglas County jury found a former criminal investigator with the Colorado Department of Corrections guilty of one count of official oppression, a Class 2 misdemeanor.

The jury agreed with prosecutors that Gary Valko, 61, of Parker, subjected another person to mistreatment while he was purporting to act in an official capacity.

“Badge or no badge, nobody is above the law in our community,” said District Attorney George Brauchler. “The significant authority and broad discretion with which we entrust our law enforcement officers is to be used for the enforcement of our laws and public safety, not to assuage anger or to make a point to young, hourly employees doing their jobs.”

On Sept. 10, 2017, Valko was driving his department-issued Chevy Impala through the drive-thru window of a restaurant in Parker when he got into an argument with employees over a recent price increase. When Valko began cursing, one of the employees asked him to leave and said he would call the cops if he did not leave.

Valko told the employee “I am the police” and said he was with the FBI. Valko made a punching motion toward the employees and drove off.

Later two people who had been informed of the incident from the restaurant’s manager left the restaurant, and Valko followed them, activating his red and blue lights. The driver pulled over. Valko pulled up alongside in his vehicle in order to prove that he was actually was a law enforcement officer, He said, “What if I pulled a gun on you? What if I had shot you?”

Valko drove away and the people reported the incident by flagging down a Parker Police officer who was in the area.

“A law enforcement officer who abuses his authority creates a bad reputation not only for himself, but for all fellow law enforcement officers,” said Deputy District Attorney Matt Chaput, who prosecuted the case with Deputy District Attorney Gwenn Sandrock.

Sentencing is set for April 11. The presumptive sentencing range for a Class 2 misdemeanor is 3-12 months in jail and/or a fine of $250 – $1,000.

Three men sentenced for suburban attacks

Three Aurora men have been sentenced for three armed attacks that terrified women in Littleton, Highlands Ranch, and Parker.

Douglas County District Court Chief Judge Theresa Slade today sentenced Geoffrey Warren Johnson, 27, to 45 years in the Department of Corrections.

On Feb. 15, the same judge sentenced Xavier Masse, 21, to 37 years in the Department of Corrections for his role in the attacks.
Deaundre McWilliams, 21, played a lesser role and was sentenced in December 2017 to a 15-year suspended sentence in the Department of Corrections pending successful completion of six years in the Youthful Offender System.

Deaudre McWilliams

Xavier Masse

Geoff Johnson

“Such wanton lawlessness perpetrated by gun-toting miscreants who preyed upon suburban women will not be tolerated in this community. These three threatened, terrorized and left the victims feeling vulnerable and afraid,” said District Attorney George Brauchler. “But they didn’t get away with it. They have earned long stays in prison, and I want the community to once again know that we continue work to keep them safe.”

Brauchler added: “For those looking to find evidence of increasing violence in the metro area, this is a good example.”

The crimes began Feb 21, 2017, at a car wash on South Federal Circle in Littleton. About 11 p.m. the 51-year-old victim was cleaning her car when Masse and Johnson approached with guns drawn and one told her “You just got jacked.” One put the muzzle of a handgun in the victim’s mouth and demanded she get on the ground. The two ransacked her vehicle, stole her phone and fled in a waiting car.

The next day, Feb. 22, 2017, between midnight and 1 a.m., a 41-year-old woman drove home from her restaurant job. She pulled into her driveway in Highlands Ranch and two men with guns appeared – Masse and Johnson — one on each side of her car. She gave the men her keys, her purse, her phone and her wallet. One hit her on the head with a handgun and they fled in a waiting car.

Later on Feb. 22, 2017, a 39-year-old woman was returning home about midnight after meeting a friend at the Hilltop Tap House in Parker. She parked in the driveway and got out to walk to her front door. Masse and Johnson approached her on the porch, and one pulled her purse off her shoulder. They ran to a waiting car, and the victim gave chase. One fired two shots at her as they fled.

Parker Police responded immediately to the last incident and located a suspect vehicle. With assistance from Aurora Police Department, Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office and Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Masse and McWilliams were taken into custody Feb. 23 following a high-speed chase. Johnson initially escaped but Parker’s investigation later identified him, leading to his arrest in August 2017.

During sentencing arguments for Masse, Deputy District Attorney Kristine Rolfes summarized his previous court cases, noting for the court that he had refused to take advantage of rehabilitation numerous times that it was offered.

“At what time is Xavier Masse accountable for Xavier Masse’s actions? The juvenile system tried multiple times to help him. At this point a lengthy prison sentence is the only way to keep people safe from him,” Rolfes said in seeking a sentence of 45 years. “He took the victims’ sense of security and safety. He saw the women as targets, not as human beings. He had total disregard for their lives. … The violence in these crimes was escalating. When people are robbed with a loaded gun, people can die.”

McWilliams pleaded guilty in October 2017 to one count each of aggravated robbery, conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery, and vehicular eluding. He was sentenced in December 2017.

Johnson pleaded guilty in September 2018 to three counts of aggravated robbery, all Class 3 felonies.

A jury found Masse guilty of all counts in December 2018. They are: attempted second-degree murder; three counts of aggravated robbery; conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery; three counts of menacing; theft; and obstruction of a police officer.

Parker martial arts instructor gets prison for sex assault on child

A martial arts instructor from Parker has been sentenced to three years in prison for sexually assaulting two students at the studio.

Jose Hilario Soto

Jose Hilario Soto, 21, worked for Otomi Martial Arts when the crime was reported May 30, 2017. The owner of the studio cooperated with law enforcement who were called to investigate.

The parents of the victims spoke to Douglas County District Court Judge Theresa Slade during sentencing on Monday.

“The world is full of thugs and miscreants and deviants, but those who abuse children who are defenseless and innocent … I’ll never figure that out,” a father said. Soto “needs a tangible consequence.”

“These are some of the most challenging cases we handle,” said District Attorney George Brauchler. “We rightfully want to lock up for as long as possible those who satisfy their lascivious sexual desires at the expense of the innocence of the youngest and most vulnerable in our community. And yet, we must balance that interest against the equally compelling wishes of parents who seek to limit the trauma to their children — not only of the crime itself — but also from having be to talk about it and be cross examined about it in front of 12 strangers. For these cases, justice is complicated and not always obvious.”

Brauchler went on: “It should concern Coloradans that our legislature has made it possible for those who engage in this outrageous behavior to be eligible for probation. Here, we made sure these girls, their parents and our community know that this criminal is going to prison, will be monitored and will get treatment.

“The victims’ parents must be commended for having raised girls who are aware and courageous enough to report when something wrong is done to them. Other parents should follow their lead and empower their children with knowledge and the confidence that they will be taken seriously and protected. But for the courage of these little girls, we would not have known about this crime and we would not have been able to stop this predator from potentially making even more victims. “

Soto pleaded guilty in October to one count of attempted sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust, a Class 5 felony; and one count sexual exploitation of a child, a Class 4 felony. Other charges were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

“The defendant robbed the victims of a sense of security – he took that safe place away from them,” Deputy District Attorney Valerie Brewer said in her sentencing argument. “These little girls were absolutely fearless in being able to tell someone what had happened to them.”

Judge Slade agreed.

“You are raising some pretty amazing young ladies,” the judge told the parents. “They are brave, and they continue to show bravery and compassion.”

Slade sentenced Soto to three years in the Department of Corrections, followed by 24 months of parole. Ten years of Sex Offender Intensive Supervised Probation will run concurrent to parole, and Soto must register as a sex offender.

Former youth pastor gets prison for exploiting girls

The former youth pastor at a Parker church will spend seven years in prison for using his position to have sexual relationships with girls who were members of his youth group.

Joshua Clemons

Douglas County District Judge Shay Whitaker last week sentenced Joshua Mark Clemons, 35, to four years in the Colorado Department of Corrections followed by 10 years of sex offender intensive supervised probation in the Parker case. Clemons’ plea agreement calls for three years in a related Denver case.

“Time and time again we see predators putting themselves into positions to have access to the vulnerable populations they prey upon,” said District Attorney George Brauchler. “Here we have a man professing to help kids during a tough time in their lives, when instead he is manipulating them so he could abuse and molest them.

“This is why it’s important for people to speak up if something doesn’t feel right, and to report your suspicions to law enforcement.”

Brauchler added: “This perpetrator is going to prison where he belongs, and his victims are getting the real help they need. We will continue to take on these difficult cases to keep our communities and children safe.”

Clemons lived in Denver when he was employed by the Parker church.

One girl, who was 17 at the time, told Parker Police that Clemons used his position as youth pastor to manipulate her and get close to her.

The mother of another girl told police Clemons is “a master manipulator not only of students, but adults, as well.”

Clemons pleaded guilty July 23 in the Parker case to one count of sexual exploitation of a child, a Class 4 felony; and one count of attempted sex assault on a child by one in a position of trust, a Class 5 felony. Other charges were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

Clemons will be sentenced in the Denver case in October. His 4-year sentence in the Parker case, imposed by Judge Whitaker on Sept. 21, will run consecutive to the 3-year sentence he faces in Denver.

Report on Nov. 4, 2017, shooting in Parker

Review of shooting death of Michael Wayne Marin by Parker Police Department officers at Trailside Apartments on Twenty Mile Road
OIS Letter Link

7 years in prison for woman who preyed on at-risk adult

Douglas County District Judge Shay Whitaker on Wednesday sentenced Candi L Phipps, 37, of Denver to seven years in prison for stealing from an at-risk adult in her care and neglecting her patient.

Candi L Phipps

A jury in January found Phipps guilty, even though the victim had died and could not testify.

“This victim was 100 percent reliant on others. She was physically frail and emotionally vulnerable,” Deputy District Attorney Erika Reuer told the court in her sentencing argument. “Nothing can make whole the wholesale damage this defendant did to the victim’s family.”

The case began in 2013, when the victim hired Phipps through an agency to help with errands and chores. In January 2014 the victim fell and fractured her vertebrae. After surgery she required full time care in professional medical facilities. Phipps left the agency and continued to work as the victim’s paid companion from January until December 2014.

During that time, the victim’s dependence on Phipps grew as Phipps gained her trust. Phipps demanded more money but failed to document any hours worked, services provided or produce receipts for items purchased. More than $33,000 disappeared without documentation during the last four months of 2014.

Phipps removed the victim from a facility in Parker in December 2014 asserting that she was the victim’s nurse, and that the victim’s home had been remodeled to accommodate her medical needs.

The case manager associated with the victim and her family before the transfer to the Parker facility reported her concerns of undue influence to the Parker Police Department, which began investigating and working with Adult Protection Services on behalf of the victim.

In December 2014 the court appointed a guardian and two special conservators for the victim, who by that time had been moved back to Arapahoe County by Phipps, where the victim’s home had been made into a construction zone by an unlicensed handyman.

Phipps was charged in January 2016.

On Jan. 13, 2017, a jury found Phipps guilty of theft of more than $500 from an at-risk adult, a Class 3 felony; and of neglect of an at-risk victim, a Class 1 misdemeanor.

“As a greater number of our neighbors and community members get older, we see a greater number of those who seek to prey upon them. It is more insidious when it is someone in a position of trust. We remain vigilant and committed to holding those accountable who victimize the most vulnerable among us,” said District Attorney George Brauchler. “The court cannot sentence Phipps to feel shame for her outrageous conduct, but she should … for a long, long time. I am proud of our law enforcement partners that investigate these cases thoroughly, and my office will continue to aggressively prosecute crimes against at-risk victims.”

“This case is a demonstration of a betrayal of trust,” Judge Whitaker said in imposing the court’s sentence. “The victim deserved and needed better than she got.”

Phipps was sentenced to seven years in the Department of Corrections on the felony count, followed by a mandatory five-year period of parole. Phipps was sentenced to six months in jail on the misdemeanor count, to be served in prison concurrently. Restitution will be determined at a hearing at a later date.

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Caregiver guilty of theft without testimony of victim

This month a Douglas County jury convicted Candi Phipps, 36, of Denver, of theft of more than $500 from an at-risk adult and of caretaker neglect. The main Class 3 felony carries a suggested sentencing range of four to 12 years in the Department of Corrections when Phipps is sentenced March 27.

Unfortunately, such cases are not unusual: Unethical caregivers taking advantage of elderly or disabled clients and patients are why Colorado recently enacted a mandatory reporting law for abuse, neglect, and exploitation of at-risk persons who are at risk due to their age, physical disability, or intellectual or developmental disability.

But in this case, the jury didn’t get to hear from the frail 68-year-old victim because she died before the case went to trial. But because of exemplary work from detectives, court-appointed officials, family members and investigators, justice was served.

“Criminals target the vulnerable among us, and elderly and disabled people are prime targets,” said District Attorney George H. Brauchler. “We target the criminals who prey upon the vulnerable. Our economic crimes unit worked with our elder abuse team and found a way to bring justice in this distressing and difficult case. Even the death of the victim could not prevent a jury from seeing the despicable and criminal conduct by Candi Phipps.”

The case began in 2013, when the victim hired Phipps through an agency to help with errands and chores. In January 2014 the victim fell and fractured her vertebrae. After surgery she needed extra medical attention. Phipps left the agency and continued to work as the victim’s caregiver, even as the victim was moved to a facility in Parker in September 2014.

The victim’s dependence on Phipps grew as Phipps’ gained her trust. Phipps demanded more money but failed to document any hours worked, services provided or produce receipts for items purchased.

The victim’s family became concerned and hired a medical case manager and made sure the victim’s sister had financial power of attorney.

The case manager reported her concerns to the Parker Police Department, which began investigating and working with Adult Protection Services on behalf of the victim.

The case was difficult, because Phipps arranged for the victim to make her financial and medical power of attorney. The victim cut off communications with family members. All the while, Phipps was withdrawing thousands of dollars from the victim’s accounts with no documentation – more than $33,000 from September to December 2014.

Ultimately, enough evidence was gathered, and in December 2014 the court appointed a guardian and two special conservators for the victim, who by that time had been moved back to Arapahoe County by Phipps, where the victim’s home had been made into a construction zone by an unlicensed handyman.
The court-appointed team investigated the victim’s financial affairs and took actions to protect her assets. They found she was being exploited by caregiver Phipps.

Phipps was charged in January of 2016.

The victim died in August of 2016.

The jury came back with a guilty verdict Jan. 13, 2017.

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Report on Sept. 2, 2016 shooting

District Attorney review of fatal shooting of Randy Rodick in Parker on Sept. 2, 2016.

OIS Letter Link