Morgan County Sheriff's Office, Colorado

11/02/2021

After a successful Stop Stick(r) deployment by Colorado State Patrol; Morgan County Sheriff's Deputies were able to bring the pursuit to an end when the suspects stopped on Rainbow Bridge, preventing them from getting into Fort Morgan. The suspects were taken to the Morgan County Detention Center and then transferred to Logan County where they will be charged.

10/31/2021

The Morgan County Sheriff’s Office hopes everyone has a safe and great Happy Halloween!! While trick or treating tonight let’s not forget some safety tips:

1. Always have your treats checked by an adult before eating them.

2. Carry a flashlight or glow stick, select a costume with bright
colors and reflective material to increase visibility.

3. Walk, don’t run and remember to stop, look and listen before
crossing the street.

4. Never trick or treat alone, go in a group or with an adult.

5. If trick or treating with friends tell your parents/guardians your
route and when you will be home.

6. Stay in familiar neighborhoods and only go to homes that are
well lit and that are participating in Halloween.

7. Never go inside a house to get your treat.

Motorists are reminded to drive with caution and be on the lookout for trick or treaters throughout the evening.

10/15/2021

Tonight I have changed our office profile picture in honor of our local Special Olympians.

A month or so ago, I was contacted by a representative of the special Olympics and asked if anyone from my agency would be interested in playing a game of basketball against their team.

Not really knowing who in my agency would be interested, I told them I would have to get back with them. I sent an email to all staff, no one was excluded. Not that I am surprised, but my staff stepped up again. I received an overwhelming response from staff that wanted to play.

Today was game day. My staff played against a team of the biggest hearts I think I have ever met. Their team has touched the hearts of all our staff and were are forever grateful for this opportunity.

09/13/2021

In honor of all the women that work for our agency, a local citizen had these roses delivered for all of our ladies to enjoy

In honor of all the women that work for our agency, a local citizen had these roses delivered for all of our ladies to enjoy

09/13/2021

September 12th is National Police Woman Day.

Morgan County Sheriff's Office would like to recognize all of the women that play a role within our agency. We appreciate and thank all of your for your significant contributions.

1. Sergeant Tina Rosenfield
2. Sergeant Heather Clement
3. Investigator Shauna Barbee
4. Detention Specialist Paula Ace
5. Detention Specialist Jennifer McBride
6. Detention Specialist Hailey Leake
7. Detention Specialist Lisa Canales
8. Detention Specialist Monica Martha
9. Detention Specialist Audrey Osier
10. Detention Specialist Jacqueline Moreno
11. Detention Specialist Rebecca Turner
12. Detention Specialist Amanda Torralba
13. Deputy Ashley Warren
14. Deputy Adriana Hernandez
15. Administration Ann Castrup
16. Administration Diana Evans
17. Administration Brenda Valles
18. Administration Belen Dominguez
19. Victims Advocate Glenda McNabb

09/10/2021

Thank you Kent Lindell and Company (Colorado Land Company) for the delicious treats. We truly appreciate the treats but more importantly your support.

Thank you Kent Lindell and Company (Colorado Land Company) for the delicious treats. We truly appreciate the treats but more importantly your support.

09/01/2021

We have obtained an Arrest Warrant for the 4th suspect in the Burglary and shooting incident that occurred 17286 Hwy. 71 on August 30th.

The suspect is Sabrina Watson, age 35, from Fort Morgan.

She has been charged with the following crimes:
First Degree Burglary by Conspiracy
Criminal Attempt - 2nd Degree Homicide by Conspiracy
Felony Menacing by Conspiracy
Reckless Endangerment by Conspiracy

There is a No Bond Warrant for her arrest.

The other suspects were charged with the following charges:

Angel Contreras
Criminal Attempt - 2nd Degree Homicide
Criminal Attempt - First Degree Assault
Felony Menacing
First Degree Burglary
Possession of a Weapon by a Previous Offender
Reckless Endangerment

Jonathon Atkins
Criminal Attempt - First Degree Assault
Possession of a Weapon by a Previous Offender
Felony Menacing
Reckless Endangerment

Ezstefan DeLaCruz
First Degree Burglary by Conspiracy
Criminal Attempt - 2nd Degree Homicide by Conspiracy
Felony Menacing by Conspiracy
Reckless Endangerment by Conspiracy

All charges are simply an accusation by law enforcement officers, and all parties must be presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

if you see or know where we can find Sabrina Watson, please call the Morgan County Sheriff's Office dispatch at 970-867-2461.

We have obtained an Arrest Warrant for the 4th suspect in the Burglary and shooting incident that occurred 17286 Hwy. 71 on August 30th.

The suspect is Sabrina Watson, age 35, from Fort Morgan.

She has been charged with the following crimes:
First Degree Burglary by Conspiracy
Criminal Attempt - 2nd Degree Homicide by Conspiracy
Felony Menacing by Conspiracy
Reckless Endangerment by Conspiracy

There is a No Bond Warrant for her arrest.

The other suspects were charged with the following charges:

Angel Contreras
Criminal Attempt - 2nd Degree Homicide
Criminal Attempt - First Degree Assault
Felony Menacing
First Degree Burglary
Possession of a Weapon by a Previous Offender
Reckless Endangerment

Jonathon Atkins
Criminal Attempt - First Degree Assault
Possession of a Weapon by a Previous Offender
Felony Menacing
Reckless Endangerment

Ezstefan DeLaCruz
First Degree Burglary by Conspiracy
Criminal Attempt - 2nd Degree Homicide by Conspiracy
Felony Menacing by Conspiracy
Reckless Endangerment by Conspiracy

All charges are simply an accusation by law enforcement officers, and all parties must be presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

if you see or know where we can find Sabrina Watson, please call the Morgan County Sheriff's Office dispatch at 970-867-2461.

08/31/2021

Press Release
On August 30th 2021 at about 2:45 pm, a caller reported that two male parties were shooting at each other in the 17,300 block of Hwy. 71. Dispatch aired that some of the parties had left in a Gray Dodge pick-up heading northbound on Hwy 71 from this location. A short time a later dispatch aired that a blue or black Chevy Suburban was leaving the address headed north bound also.

Several Morgan County Deputies and officers with the Brush Police Department responded to the area. Commander Hardy with Brush Police was first to arrive in the area. This was just a few minutes after the second vehicle left the scene. He saw the Blue Chevy Tahoe and contacted the vehicle in 17900 block of county road 29. The driver of the vehicle was identified as John Spade and the passenger was identified as Jonathan Atkins. Atkins lives at 17286 Hwy. 71. A clearance was run on both parties; Atkins came back with several warrants and was taken into custody. A short time later a handgun was found in the Tahoe and the driver (John Spade) was also taken into custody. He was later released from custody as the investigation unfolded.

Deputy Skiles was responding to the original call when he saw a Gray Dodge pick-up in the 24000 block of Hwy. 71. He turned around to contact the vehicle. The Dodge pick-up took off at a high rate of speed before Deputy Skiles could get turned around. He followed after the vehicle. After coming around a curve on Hwy. 71; he could see that the Dodge pick-up had crashed in the 25000 block of Hwy. 71. When he pulled up there was no one in the pick-up. He was able to locate a male party just west of the crash in the field. This party was identified as Estefan DeLaCruz. DeLaCruz party was taken into custody and transported, by ambulance, to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries caused by the crash. He is currently being held at the Morgan County Detention Center.

A handgun was seen in the crashed Dodge pick-up. Later, another male party was located in the 25000 block of Hwy. 71. He was identified as Angel Contreras. He was also taken into custody. Through the investigation it was learned that Estefan DeLeCruz age18, Angel Contreras age 49, and a third person went to 17286 Hwy. 71 and were stealing items from the Atkin’s home. Property, from Atkin’s home, was recovered in the wrecked Dodge pick-up.

Atkins arrived home and discovered that his home was being burglarized. He confronted the intruders with a handgun and a gun battle took place between Atkins and Contreras. No one was shot during the gun battle. The third burglar has been identified and we are obtaining an Arrest Warrant for that person. Atkins, DeLaCruz and Contreras are all in custody with pending charges.

Morgan County would like to thank the following agencies for assisting with this case: Brush Police Department, Fort Morgan Police Department, Colorado State Patrol and Scott Aviation.

08/30/2021

****UPDATE****
All suspects are in custody at this time.

At approximately 2:45 p.m. a shooting incident occurred in the 17,000 block of Hwy. 71. Two vehicles were seen leaving the scene. north bound on Hwy. 71.

Brush Police Department contacted one of the vehicles on Hwy 71 just north of Hwy 34. Two males were taken into custody and a gun was recovered from the vehicle.

The second vehicle was discovered at Hwy. 71 and County Road Z where it ran off the road and hit a power pole. One male was located, near the crash, with injuries from the crash. The male was not cooperative and we are not certain how many people fled, on foot, from the crash.

We have not been able to get any descriptions or clothing descriptions of the people we are looking for.

There is no evidence that anyone was struck by gunfire.

Dispatch sent a Hyper-Reach (reverse 911) message to the area within a one mile radius from the crash. The Hyper-Reach system sends a message to phones in a defined area. Unfortunately it also posts the message to Facebook and the first message did not specify a location. A second Hyper-Reach was sent out:
"Law enforcement is in the area along Hwy 71 between County Roads Y and Z looking for an armed suspect. Stay inside and lock doors. Remove keys from vehicles. Call 911 if you observe anyone suspicious.

Areal and ground searches are being used to search the area.

08/30/2021

⚠️ THIS ALERT IS NO LONGER ACTIVE OR HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED BY ANOTHER ALERT ⚠️

Law enforcement is in the area along Hwy 71 between County Roads Y and Z looking for an armed suspect. Stay inside and lock doors. Remove Keys from vehicles. Call 911 if you observe anyone suspcious.
Hear Audio Alert:https://hrpow.us/JNk4w2J

08/30/2021

⚠️ THIS ALERT IS NO LONGER ACTIVE OR HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED BY ANOTHER ALERT ⚠️

Law Enforcement - Shelter in place.
Armed suspect may be in area. Stay inside and lock doors.
Hear Audio Alert:https://hrpow.us/vaUo3U0

08/28/2021

The rain was very helpful to control of the wildfire between Road 8 and Road 12, south of Road Q. Firefighters are mopping up hot spots and it is all clear for evacuated residents to return to their homes.

08/28/2021

⚠️ THIS ALERT IS NO LONGER ACTIVE OR HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED BY ANOTHER ALERT ⚠️

Fast Moving wild fire in area. Be aware of your location and be prepared to evacuate
Hear Audio Alert:https://hrpow.us/3RWJamI

08/25/2021

****UPDATE****
Our phones are back in operation.

OUR PHONES ARE NOT WORKING!!!
A Century Link fiber optic line was cut between Wiggins and Fort Morgan. All phone systems in Morgan County government buildings are out of service, including the Justice Center. We cannot make or receive any phone calls from our landlines.

This includes the Sheriff's Office, the Detention Center, the D.A.'s Office, Probation and the Courts.

The Morgan County Communications Center is still fully operational. If you need assistance, you can call Dispatch at (970) 867-2461 to have a deputy respond or contact you. If you have an emergency, dial 911.

There is no estimate for when service will be restored.

****UPDATE****
Our phones are back in operation.

OUR PHONES ARE NOT WORKING!!!
A Century Link fiber optic line was cut between Wiggins and Fort Morgan. All phone systems in Morgan County government buildings are out of service, including the Justice Center. We cannot make or receive any phone calls from our landlines.

This includes the Sheriff's Office, the Detention Center, the D.A.'s Office, Probation and the Courts.

The Morgan County Communications Center is still fully operational. If you need assistance, you can call Dispatch at (970) 867-2461 to have a deputy respond or contact you. If you have an emergency, dial 911.

There is no estimate for when service will be restored.

08/20/2021

08/13/2021

***UPDATE***

CAPTURED in Denver

On Sunday, August 8, 2021 the FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force developed credible information that Chaz Contreras was staying in an apartment building in Denver. Since then, they have been doing surveillance on that building and a nearby 7-11 store, trying to figure out which apartment he was in.

On Thursday, August 12th, when the task force entered the building they spotted Contreras and his wife standing in the hallway. After a foot pursuit, which included assistance from K-9 units, Contreras surrendered after running about 2 blocks. Contreras was not bitten by the K-9s.

He was transported to the Denver County Jail where he is being held without bond until he is transported to Morgan County.

08/12/2021

The Morgan County Sheriff’s Office is a medium sized agency in Northeastern Colorado; Consisting of 55 staff members. 4 of which are administrative staff. Our Operations Division is responsible for patrolling 1,296 square miles; including several small unincorporated towns and is staffed by 1 Operations Commander,
3 Investigators, 2 patrol Sergeants, 10 Patrol Deputies, 2 Support Deputies and 1 Victim’s Advocate. Our Detentions Center houses approximately 124 inmates and is staffed by 1 Detentions Commander, 4 Sergeants and 27 Detention Specialists / Deputies.

Deputy Sheriffs assigned to the Jail Operations Division are responsible for the receiving of, release, and safekeeping of all prisoners, detainees, or inmates lawfully confined to the Morgan County Jail, or those confined or held by an order of the court.

Jail Operations Division Deputy Sheriffs are also responsible for the safety and security of all visitors, victims of crime, witnesses, criminal defendants, civil litigants and respondents who are within, or on the property of, the Morgan County Justice Center complex, to include the staffs of the 13th Judicial District County and District Courts, Probation and District Attorney offices, Morgan County Communications Center, Morgan County Sheriff’s Office and Morgan County Jail.

• Minimum of 21 years of age, except those Deputy Sheriffs who will be assigned exclusively to Master Control operations, must be a minimum of 18 years of age.

• Possess a high school diploma or equivalent.

• Possess a current valid Colorado Driver’s License, or be able to obtain a valid Colorado Driver’s License within ten (10) days of appointment.

• Must be able to read, write and comprehend, and speak fluently the English language (to at least a twelfth-grade level).

• Must not have been convicted of any felony or misdemeanor charge which would deny certification as a Peace Officer according to Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training rules or Colorado Revised Statutes, including conviction in a municipal court or a court other than the state of Colorado which would have the functional equivalent of a crime that would deny certification by P.O.S.T.

• Must be able to complete all training requirements of a Deputy Sheriff assigned to Jail Operations, as dictated by sheriff’s office policy

The Morgan County Sheriff’s Office does not accept application forms from Morgan County or other forms created by employment agen-cies. Applications are available on line at www.morgansheriff.net or can be picked up in person at the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office. An applicant must first complete a written exam, and receive a passing score, before we will begin processing your application. The ap-plication packet requires you to provide; per-sonal, employment and other information to assist command staff in selecting the most qualified candidates for positions within the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office
For persons wishing to apply for a Deputy Sheriff position, the following is the process for application and to be selected for a position. Obviously each must be successfully com-pleted, per our standards, before you are al-lowed to proceed further;
1. Written exam/questionnaire
2. Complete and submit our application packet
3. Oral Board
4. Background investigation
5. Job shadow
6. Interview with Sheriff and Undersheriff
7. Psychological evaluation
8. Conditional offer of employment
9. Medical exam and drug screening
Once all of these steps are successfully completed and both sides are comfortable in moving forward, you will be called with a start date and provided with uniforms and equipment, if filling a sworn po-sition. You will also be given an appointment with the county’s human resources director to fill out payroll and benefits paperwork. Then, CON-GRATULATIONS! – you are now part of our team.