Sheridan Police Department – The District Attorney

20 years for driver who injured Sheridan police officer

The driver who injured a Sheridan police officer while fleeing officers was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Ismael Rayos

Arapahoe County Court Judge Ben Leutwyler sentenced Ismael Rayos, 30, after he pleaded guilty Oct. 12 to one count of first-degree assault, threatening a peace officer, a Class 3 felony. Other counts were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

“Officers put their lives on the line every day when then swear to serve and protect,” said District Attorney John Kellner. “When they in turn are made victims, we have a responsibility to see that they get the same justice they seek for others.”

On April 26, 2015, Sheridan officers were called to a suspicious vehicle at a convenience store near West Oxford Avenue and South Federal Boulevard. They tried to speak with Rayos, who jumped in his car to flee. As he took off in reverse with the door open, an officer was caught between the door and the body of the car. The officer was thrown to the ground. He was treated at a hospital for minor injuries and released.

The crashed car was located in Denver; a .380 caliber handgun was found in the vehicle.

The officer recovered from his injuries and is no longer with the Sheridan Police Department.

Police were initially unsuccessful in locating Rayos.

But in 2019, Rayos was taken into custody in Mexico with the help of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Marshals Service. He was then charged in Arapahoe County.

The prosecutors on the case were Chief Deputy District Attorney Darcy Kofol and Chief Deputy District Attorney Andrew Steers.

Current Sheridan Police Chief Jeffrey Martinez praised the resolution.

“Police officers swear to serve and protect our communities, and although it is a dangerous job, it does not give anyone the right to attack or injure these brave men and women. We are very thankful the Arapahoe County courts held this individual accountable for the malicious attack on one of our very own Sheridan Police Officers,” Martinez said. “This should serve as a reminder that we will do all we can to seek justice on those who choose to harm our honorable officers.”

Sheridan man gets 45 years for beating roommate to death

A Sheridan man who beat his roommate to death was sentenced Thursday to 45 years in prison.

Michael Jon Stevens, 31, pleaded guilty July 12 to first-degree attempted murder and reckless manslaughter in the 2016 death of Steven McManus, 48.

Michael Jon Stevens

Stevens called Sheridan police on Aug. 29, 2016, to report he had killed his roommate. Officers arrived at the apartment on West Girard Avenue to find Stevens sitting outside. He was taken into custody and officers found McManus inside the apartment on the floor amid the scene of a violent crime.

Stevens later told detectives that he had visited a friend the night before and returned to the apartment about 5 a.m. when McManus offered him some meth. After ingesting the meth, Stevens said he had the sudden realization that drugs had ruined his life and that McManus was responsible for getting him addicted again, and he took his frustration and anger out on McManus by beating him.

Stevens began to punch McManus, who was not fighting back. Instead McManus ran into the bathroom and locked the door, which briefly ended the beating. However, Stevens then attacked the door, breaking it in two pieces. When McManus ran out of the bathroom Stevens resumed the assault, knocking McManus to the floor, where Stevens began to kick McManus in the head.

In his interview he demonstrated a “soccer-style” kick to detectives. When the victim stopped moving, Stevens stated he thought McManus was “playing possum” so he kicked him again.

Another roommate had been present but left to avoid the conflict. Stevens contacted a neighbor who told Stevens to call an ambulance.

The defendant did not call 911 until almost two hours passed.

“This defendant could have stopped the beating three different times before it turned from an assault into a homicide. Instead, he literally went through a door to get at the victim, and once the victim was down, continued to kick him until he was dying,” said Senior Deputy District Attorney Gary Dawson, who prosecuted the case. “Then callously and with a shocking lack of concern, he did not call for help until Mr. McManus was beyond help.”

On Thursday Arapahoe District Judge Kurt Horton sentenced Stevens to 45 years in prison on the attempted murder charge, and six years on the manslaughter charge, to be served concurrently.

“This defendant has demonstrated that the best place for him is prison,” said District Attorney George Brauchler. “He savagely beat someone with whom he had a relationship then did nothing to help him. The family of the victim will live with this defendant’s actions forever, and he deserves to sit behind bars and think about what he did.”