ProgressNow.org Daily News Digest

Boulder’s DA comes full circle - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_11368697 Stan Garnett, the incoming Boulder district attorney, would like to dispel a myth: "Boulder is not nearly as liberal as people think, particularly about issues of public safety," said Garnett, who starts work Jan. 13. "People expect the law enforcement community to keep them, their homes, their cars and their families safe." Garnett, 52, is a trial lawyer. He was in the Denver district attorney's office for a little more than five years in the 1980s. During that time, he tried about 100 cases before a jury, he said. For the past 22 years, he has been a private trial lawyer with an emphasis on commercial and real-estate litigation. Because of the things he has seen in the courtroom and the tough economy, he is especially interested in attacking the perpetrators of economic crime — those who rob others of their life savings and livelihood.

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Boulder County’s new top prosecutor : County News : Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2009/jan/02/boulder-county-new-top-cop/ Stan Garnett looks like a guy between jobs. He juggles multiple cell phones and Blackberries, trying to figure out which ones have been activated for his upcoming job as Boulder County’s new district attorney and which ones are going out of service at the Denver law firm where he now works. All the while, the 52-year-old career litigator exudes the aura of level-headed coolness, impeccably dressed in a dark suit, starched white shirt, tie and black topcoat. He speaks in a calm, self-assured manner about his ideas for leading an office with 27 attorneys, six investigators and a $4.5 million budget. Garnett, who was elected to the post in November, will be sworn in Jan. 13. “I’ve done a bit of management of lawyers at my current law firm,” he said, referring to his 22 years as a real estate and commercial trial attorney at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck. “It’s about evaluating talent and getting the most out of that talent.”

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Colo. gun sales shoot through roof in ‘08 : Local News : The Rocky Mountain News

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2009/jan/05/colo-gun-sales-shoot-through-roof-in-08/ Gun sales reached record levels in Colorado in 2008, a spike many attributed to fears that Barack Obama's election will mean tougher firearms laws. Background checks to clear buyers exceeded 200,000 for the first time in history. More than a quarter occurred after the Nov. 4 election. At the Crossroads of the West-Gun Show of the Rockies on Sunday at an Aurora hotel, gun dealers and Second Amendment advocates alike said there is a direct relation between the election results and firearms sales.

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The Pueblo Chieftain Online :: Pueblo native head of Limon prison

http://www.chieftain.com/articles/2009/01/04/news/denver_bureau/doc4960584b5b78d431858336.txt Pueblo native Travis Trani might be the youngest prison warden in the history of the state - that isn't known for sure, but he's certainly the youngest one right now. At age 35 - he's 36 now - Trani was named warden at Limon Correctional Facility in September after working there as associate warden for two years. His 14-year career in the Colorado Department of Corrections has seen him go from a prison guard to warden, in part, because he's as smart as they come, said DOC spokeswoman Katherine Sanguinetti.

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GJSentinel.com: Fewer felony cases filed in Mesa County

http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/content/news/stories/2008/12/31/010509_3a_Felony_decline.html Mesa County filed fewer felony cases and reported less crime last year, mirroring an overall trend of crime decreasing nationwide since 2005. The county reported its highest ever felony filing case-load of 2,223 in 2005. As of last week, Mesa County’s felony cases topped 1,850. In 2007, Mesa County reported 2,107 felony cases. Mesa County District Attorney Pete Hautzinger said the decrease is not the result of law enforcement working less or prosecutors purposely filing fewer cases. Hautzinger attributed the decreases to tough enforcement in the county’s continued war on methamphetamine, which netted many of the larger players a few years ago.

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Craig Daily Press / Deputy DA position remains vacant

http://www.craigdailypress.com/news/2009/jan/03/deputy_da_position_remains_vacant/ About 10 days away from officially taking over, incoming 14th Judicial District Attorney Elizabeth Oldham has been successful in filling three of four vacancies across the tri-county judicial district. An offer went out to a candidate for the fourth open position — a deputy district attorney’s slot in the Moffat County office — but was declined. “We were pretty disappointed,” said Oldham, the Republican winner of the No­­vember general election and the 14th’s current assistant district attorney. “He seemed like a good fit. We are hunting to fill that position.”

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Do Denver red-light cameras deter violations? : Updates : The Rocky Mountain News

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2009/jan/04/denver-collecting-75-fines-not-red-light-traffic-d/ Denver has failed to enforce its red-light camera contract, collecting the $75 fines but not collecting the data necessary to determine whether the program actually is reducing red-light running. The contractor, Redflex Traffic Systems of Scottsdale, Ariz., hasn't submitted a single page of the mountains of data the contract requires since the cameras went live last summer, including statistics that would disclose whether it must reimburse money to Denver for system failures. The company also hasn't lived up to requirements for support staffing, including a Denver-based representative to attend to problems. Nor has it turned in required maintenance reports or equipment certifications.

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Council to weigh settlement of $20,000 in T-shirts arrest : The Rocky Mountain News

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2009/jan/03/council-to-weigh-settlement-of-20000-in-t-shirts/ A woman who claimed that she was wrongfully arrested for selling T-shirts emblazoned with Rocktober outside Coors Field during the 2007 World Series may receive a $20,000 settlement from the city of Denver. Christina Eyre was selling the T-shirts Oct. 27, 2007, when a lawyer from Major League Baseball and police Detective Nick Rogers walked up and told her she was selling counterfeit goods, said David Lane, Eyre's attorney. Eyre, who lives in Denver, told the pair that she copyrighted the word Rocktober on Oct. 3, 2007 - the phrase appeared in the Rocky Mountain News at least three times that day - and showed them a copyright registration and a peddler's license, court documents said.

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CBI involved in CSU police investigation | coloradoan.com | The Coloradoan,

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20090103/NEWS01/90103001/1002/CUSTOMERSERVICE02 The Colorado Bureau of Investigation has been asked to aid in an investigation of CSU police Chief Dexter Yarbrough. A CBI spokesman confirmed that the agency is in the “early stages” of its participation. Spokesman Lance Clem declined to say what role CBI is playing. Interim Colorado State University President Tony Frank placed Yarbrough on indefinite paid administrative leave Dec. 19, citing a noncriminal personnel matter. Yarbrough was escorted home that afternoon by Fort Collins police Chief Dennis Harrison. On Friday, Clem, as well as Fort Collins police spokeswoman Rita Davis and CSU spokeswoman Dell Rae Moellenberg, confirmed that CSU reached out for assistance in the investigation.

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Police investigating burglaries at 24 churches in region | GreeleyTribune.com

http://www.greeleytribune.com/article/20090103/NEWS/901029886/1002/NONE Greeley police suspect the burglaries of five churches in Greeley may be connected to similar incidents in Loveland and Fort Collins, where 19 churches have been burglarized since August. Working closely with the Loveland Police Department and Fort Collins Police Services, investigators from the Greeley Police Department also are working to determine whether the recent burglaries of northern Colorado churches are connected to any commercial burglaries in Greeley, according to Greeley police Lt. Steve Nelson. The investigation stems from the recent burglaries of 24 churches throughout northern Colorado — five in Greeley, 17 in Fort Collins and two in Loveland.

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Sheriff: Bomber able to create more chaos - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_11368387 A man who left four homemade bombs around Aspen on New Year's Eve, forcing the evacuation of most of downtown, appeared set on more mayhem, including deaths, says the sheriff who got the man's last letter. Authorities say James Blanning, a 72-year-old former resident, left two gift-wrapped, gasoline bombs and notes demanding $60,000 at two banks. Two more bombs were found on a sled in an alley. New Year's celebrations were canceled across the mountain resort as police cleared out downtown, tracking down bombs and the culprit. Blanning was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound a few hours later east of Aspen. He wrote in a letter found in his Jeep Cherokee and addressed to Pitkin County Sheriff Bob Braudis that he wandered around town watching the mayhem unfold after he distributed the bombs.

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Hundreds say goodbye to slain Eldora manager : County News : Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2009/jan/03/hundreds-say-goodbye-to-slain-eldora-manager/ Brian Mahon died as a "martyr for his faith" and as a hero whose death gave fellow employees time to escape the gunman who shot him dead Tuesday morning at Eldora Mountain Resort. That was the message delivered at a public memorial Mass held Saturday morning at the Sacred Heart of Jesus church in Boulder. Hundreds of people came to the tearful service, including members of the Boulder County Sheriff's Office, the University of Colorado Ski Team and employees from the Nederland resort where Mahon worked as general manager. The Rev. Bill Breslin spoke about Mahon's love for his family, his job and his faith as a devout Catholic. "Brian's death was a martyr's death," Breslin said, noting that in Catholicism dying in the name of the faith is considered an act of martyrdom.

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Last words provide clues to Aspen bomber’s motive | AspenTimes.com

http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20090103/NEWS/901029901/1001/NONE After he delivered bombs throughout town on New Year’s Eve Day, effectively placing downtown Aspen on lockdown, Jim Blanning walked around watching the mayhem unfold and then reflected on his 72 years of life before shooting himself. That’s according to a letter written to Pitkin County Sheriff Bob Braudis, which was found in Blanning’s Jeep Cherokee at the North Star Nature Preserve on Thursday morning. “I wandered around for hours this afternoon,” Blanning wrote. “God knows I have a long history — Aspen school — Airforce Nuclear Weapons — Ski Patrol and Instructor — ASC Sundeck/gondola/mining claim. More varied deed and property etc., recorded etc. that (sic) most anyone.” What surprised Braudis the most was that his longtime friend Blanning intended to kill people, even though most who knew him said he wouldn’t hurt anyone. But it became clear that Blanning intended harm based on what Braudis described as “an addled rant from a tortured mind.” Blanning wrote the missive just hours before ending his life.

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No common link between Iraqi war veterans in homicides | Gazette.com

http://www.gazette.com/articles/link_45057___article.html/army_veterans.html No common thread has been found that would explain the shocking murders in which Fort Carson Iraq war vets have either been convicted or are awaiting trial, the Army's top civilian official wrote in a letter to Sen. Ken Salazar released Thursday. The Colorado Democrat, who has been named to President-elect Barack Obama's Cabinet, called for a review in October after Colorado Springs police arrested Spc. Robert Hull Marko on suspicion of murder and rape in the death of a 19-year-old woman. Other troops from Marko's unit, the 4th Brigade Combat Team of the 4th Infantry Division, were charged in the deaths of two fellow soldiers last year and in the June shooting deaths of a couple posting garage-sale signs in their neighborhood. The brigade returned from Iraq in 2007 after 15 months of fighting in Baghdad.

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Army: No single link in vets accused of murders - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_11266948 Secretary of the Army Pete Geren says a task force studying murders committed by Fort Carson war veterans has not pinpointed a common cause. In a letter to U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colo., Geren also disclosed that the task force has broadened its initial review to include a study of similar units. "To date, no single factor has emerged as the cause of these tragic incidents," Geren wrote. "However, leaders at all levels at Fort Carson continue to work to address any and all stressors related to combat in our returning soldiers." Salazar has asked the Army for a servicewide review of soldiers involved in violent crimes after returning from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and for a pilot program to broaden mental-health services for Fort Carson soldiers.

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Victims, patrols losers in budget cuts | Gazette.com

http://www.gazette.com/articles/sheriff_45073___article.html/maketa_cuts.html Fewer El Paso County sheriff's deputies will be on patrol beginning in January because of layoffs caused by deep cuts in the department's funding in next year's budget, the Sheriff's Office announced Thursday. The office said in a statement that 24 positions would be eliminated, although not that many people will be laid off. That's because two opted to retire and three transferred to other jobs. The cost of four others who work in schools will be paid by school districts. "I believe at this juncture, these cuts will only affect those who are working or engaged in the criminal justice system and those who are victims of crimes and their families," Sheriff Terry Maketa said in a statement. He called the cuts an "unfortunate reality" for his employees who will assume a heavier workload despite earning at least 20 percent less than other sheriff's personnel on the Front Range.

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The Pueblo Chieftain :: Probation violator given ‘faith-based’ treatment

http://www.chieftain.com/articles/2008/12/19/news/local/doc494b8132d3afd188154961.txt The defendant, Michael HighElk, ambled into court 20 minutes late Thursday, sporting a loose-fitting Dirk Nowitzki jersey and a figurative “snitch jacket.” While District Judge Dennis Maes waited on HighElk to arrive, he formulated a possible sentence, leaning toward a six-year prison term. After hearing from HighElk's probation officer, lawyer and the prosecutor on the case, Maes softened his stance and spared HighElk from prison and instead sentenced him to a faith-based treatment program and an extended term of probation. HighElk, 20, traded testimony for leniency in the murder trial of his co-defendant, Phillip Castro, 18. On the strength of HighElk's testimony, Castro was convicted as an adult of second-degree murder and sentenced to 27 years in prison for the August 2006 shooting death of Jamie Ruybal, 21. Castro was a juvenile when the shooting happened.

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The Longmont Times-Call - ID thefts part of crime ring

http://www.timescall.com/News_Story.asp?id=13117 Identity thefts traced to a Longmont restaurant have been linked to an organized crime ring, police told residents who attended an identity theft seminar Thursday morning. Detective Matt Cage said the well-organized, professional ring is based in southern California and Las Vegas. “This is only one branch, a small branch, of this group,” Cage said, referring to crimes that have been committed in Longmont. Similar cases are under investigation in Greeley and Grand Junction. “This is a major problem on the West Coast, mostly on the West Coast,” he said.

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Detective: Longmont ID thefts linked to crime ring : Breaking News : Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2008/dec/19/detective-longmont-id-thefts-linked-crime-ring/ Authorities say identity thefts traced to a Longmont restaurant have been linked to an organized crime ring based in southern California and Las Vegas. Detective Matt Cage told attendees at an ID theft seminar Thursday that the crime ring recruits people to get restaurant jobs and gives them small devices that can store credit card information with a single swipe. He says the device can be purchased online and takes just seconds to use. Longmont police have been working with the FBI and other agencies to try to find those responsible for stealing nearly 200 credit and debit card numbers from Longmont shoppers.

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Kids hurt by drug dealing to get special consideration : Local News : The Rocky Mountain News

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/dec/18/denver-improves-protection-kids-drug-houses/ Children found in homes where drug dealing or manufacturing is going on will get better care under new policies put in place Thursday, officials said. Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey and other officials announced new child abuse policies that give specifics for how drug-endangered children will be treated. "These are children who are not only at risk for child abuse but medical problems from exposure to chemicals found in drugs or used in their manufacture," Morrissey said. "Some people say drug cases are victimless crimes, but they are not victimless crimes when children are involved." Home meth labs pose a particular danger, he said. "When these people pass out after hours of meth use and go into a meth coma, the kids are just left on their own with no food, no water, toilets backed up, all kinds of things," he said. Young children in these situations are also at risk of ingesting the drugs themselves, he said.

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Naked pumpkin runner accepts plea deal, avoids sex-offender status : Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2008/dec/18/naked-pumpkin-runner-takes-plea-deal/ The first of 12 runners cited for streaking on the Pearl Street Mall on Halloween night wearing nothing but pumpkins on their heads has accepted a plea agreement that prosecutors said would likely be offered to the others. Natalie Ziemba, 20, of Boulder agreed Thursday to plead guilty to disorderly conduct, a petty offense. She agreed to undergo six months of unsupervised probation, eight hours of community service and pay $27 in court fees. She will not be required to register as a sex offender, and her record will be cleared if she doesn’t commit any crimes for at least six months. In a light-hearted moment, a prosecutor joked with Ziemba that a condition of her probation would also include “no contact with fruits or vegetables.” “This was very uncharacteristic of me,” Ziemba told Boulder County Judge Thomas J.B. Reed.

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Minister indicted on 16 counts : Updates : The Rocky Mountain News

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/dec/18/denver-minister-indicted-mortgage-fraud/ A Denver grand jury has returned a 16-count indictment against a prominent northeast Denver minister, accusing him of stealing at least $80,000 through a mortgage fraud scheme. The Rev. Harold Hicks, pastor of the Mount Carmel Community Baptist Church, was the subject of a Rocky Mountain News investigation last year. Hicks allegedly used unwitting parishioners from his church as surrogate or "straw" buyers to conduct real estate fraud, according to the indictment and the Rocky investigation. The felony counts of various levels of theft carry maximum penalties of six years to 12 years in prison. In addition, he is charged with eight counts of forgery, which carry penalties of up to three years, a spokeswoman for the district attorney said. A warrant for Hicks' arrest has been issued.

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Pastor indicted in fraud probe - The Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_11266947 A Denver pastor was indicted Thursday by the Denver grand jury on eight counts of theft and eight counts of forgery, accused of approaching and misleading two of his parishioners as part of a mortgage loan scam. Indicted was the Rev. Harold Hicks of Mount Carmel Community Church. He conducted real estate investment seminars at the church, according to the grand jury. According to the indictment, Hicks approached the two congregation members because they had good credit. He convinced them to become "surrogate buyers" for Denver real estate, telling them that there was "nothing illegal" about what he was doing and that investors used surrogate buyers all the time.

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News : Posse, sheriff warn of scam (Montrose, CO)

http://montrosepress.com/articles/2008/12/19/news/doc494b2278377fe440690389.txt 'Tis the season for scams and not even the sheriff's posse is immune from victimization. Sheriff Rick Dunlap said his office is investigating reports of a woman who reportedly called at least one individual and claimed to be soliciting donations on behalf of the Montrose County Sheriff's Posse, a volunteer organization run under his auspices to assist with searches and rescues, security and other duties. But there's a problem. "We do not do phone soliciting," posse member Paul Gottleib said. "Once a year, we send out a letter with a return envelope."

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Madoff’s Ponzi scheme strikes a nerve in Aspen | AspenTimes.com

http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20081219/NEWS/812189914/1001/NONE Investors far and wide still are trying to digest the news that they might be wiped out financially because of Bernard Madoff’s alleged Ponzi scheme. And it appears that some of his alleged victims call the Aspen area home. It’s not something most people contacted for this story want the public to know. But allegations are that Madoff feasted on the finances of wealthy Jewish investors, including a number of them in Aspen, which is home to three Jewish congregations. “I did not invest in him, but I know at least 10 people [in Aspen] who did,” said Aspen businessman Leonard “Boogie” Weinglass. “But I’m not giving their names.”

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