Consuelo Zavala convicted of gruesome onion-field execution

In October 2012, we told you about the extradition of Consuelo Zavala for the brutal execution of Francisco Gasca circa 1997. Location: a Weld County onion field. The police report said Gasca had been shot eight times, including five bullets in the head, but in the year since then, this…

Human trafficking report: Fourteen ideas for improving Colorado’s response

The Denver-based Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking has released fourteen recommendations to strengthen Colorado’s response to human trafficking. Among them: form a statewide group of prosecutors focused on trafficking, create a prevention campaign targeted at vulnerable populations, and encourage the development of local coalitions dedicated to the issue. The recommendations…

Sam Mandez: Film exposes Colorado’s overuse of isolation cells

Shortly after his arrival in the Colorado prison system, a mentally stable teenager named Sam Mandez landed in solitary confinement for a series of minor rules infractions. He soon began to experience auditory hallucinations and other signs of mental illness, and his erratic behavior made it impossible for him to…

Jeffrey Johnston, ex-cop, pleads guilty to distributing ecstasy

In July, we published an item headlined “Jeffrey Johnston, veteran Littleton cop — and ecstasy dealer on the side?” The answer to that question is “yes.” And the person confirming it is Johnston himself. The now-former officer has pleaded guilty to two charges in relation to his bust earlier this…

Markie Lee Peoples busted for brutal 1995 teen rape

Back in May, we told you about DNA evidence that led to charges against Dony Salazar for a rape that took place back in 2000. Now, improved DNA technology has resulted in a bust for an even older crime — the sexual assault of a fourteen year old way back…

Photos: Twenty most wanted Colorado sex offenders

When he was arrested earlier this week, Eugene Martinez was listed as Colorado’s most wanted sex offender — and he’s not the only person accused of such crimes to be rounded up lately. Indeed, nineteen of the top 100 most wanted sex offenders in the state have either been busted…