Latest news with #18thJudicialDistrictAttorney'sOffice
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man sentenced in 2020 human trafficking case
DENVER (KDVR) — A man who was found with two runaway teenage girls during a traffic stop in 2020 was convicted of human trafficking charges and sentenced to 36 years to life in the Department of Corrections, according to a release from the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office. Kenneth T. Noel, 34, a resident of Texas, was pulled over for a routine traffic stop in 2020 after he was spotted driving in the left lane only of Interstate 70, while no other traffic was around. Colorado law states drivers should remain in the right lane unless actively passing another driver or avoiding a road hazard. Denver weather: Timing, impacts of severe storms Memorial Day weekend A Colorado State trooper pulled over the vehicle, a BMW, and proceeded with the traffic stop. A woman was driving, Noel was in the passenger seat and two 14-year-old girls were in the back seat. The teenagers initially gave fake names to the trooper, but were eventually identified as two runaway juveniles. The two said they were traveling to Nevada to work as strippers. One of the teens also said that Noel had assaulted her the previous night. During the trial, Noel was linked to human trafficking through several key pieces of evidence, which included online sexual advertisements that exploited the woman driving, and a further investigation revealed the ads featured in cities across the United States. 'Sadly, human trafficking is a multi-billion-dollar industry in the United States,' Chief Deputy District Attorney Jacob Kremin said. 'Statistics show that victims who are subjected to human trafficking at 13 or 14-years-old simply will likely not live to see their 21st birthday if they don't escape this illegal enterprise. I commend the state trooper in this case for being observant in identifying red flags during a traffic stop that ultimately led to the safe recovery of two teens and a third adult victim. The sentence imposed guarantees the defendant will not be able to victimize anyone else in the foreseeable future.' The sentencing on Friday fell two years short of the maximum sentence allowed under Colorado law. After trial in February, Noel was found guilty by a jury on multiple felony charges, including: Attempted human trafficking of a minor, Class 3 felony Human trafficking of an adult, Class 3 felony Pimping, Class 3 felony Sexual assault on a child, Class 4 felony The 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office said that the outcome would not have been achieved without the help of the Colorado State Patrol, an investigator from its own office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Arrest made in Littleton financial fraud case: Police 'Survivors of human trafficking endure profound physical and emotional abuse, facing trauma that can leave lasting scars on their health and well-being. Thankfully, in the case, the perpetrator was intercepted by Colorado State Patrol, who recognized the signs and engaged with FBI Denver's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force,' said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mar Michalek. 'After nearly five years, with assistance along the way from FBI Kansas City and FBI Houston — as well as support from community service providers — the survivors were able to watch a judge sentence their abuser to prison, where he won't be able to victimize additional juveniles or adults.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man who served 19 years for holding housekeeper captive resentenced, will be deported
DENVER (KDVR) — On Tuesday, a man pleaded guilty to 11 amended charges related to accusations of holding his Indonesian-born housekeeper captive and repeatedly molesting her over four years, and was immediately resentenced, according to a Colorado district attorney's office. Homaidan Al-Turki, 56, stood trial in 2006 and was convicted of 18 charges, ranging from false imprisonment to unlawful sexual contact, extortion and theft stemming from 2000 to 2004, the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office reported on Thursday. Since then, Al-Turki has been serving his six-year-to-life sentence in the Colorado Department of Corrections. Previous case reporting: Declassified documents show possible link between man in Colorado and 9/11 He became eligible for parole in 2011, but didn't participate in the DOC's sex-offender treatment program, according to the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office. Because he didn't participate in the program, he was prohibited from release, delaying his deportation back to Saudi Arabia. Al-Turki has filed several motions with the court alleging that his defense counsel improperly represented him. A hearing to determine if Al-Turki qualified for post-conviction relief led to the DA's office agreeing to amend 11 counts if Al-Turki would plead guilty to them. Those charges were all criminal attempt to commit unlawful sexual contact by physical force, and a judge sentenced Al-Turki to six years on each amended count to be served concurrently. 'Mr. Al-Turki raised 6th Amendment concerns that his trial attorneys—all four of them— failed to adequately research Colorado statutes relating to sentencing for unlawful sexual behaviors,' Chief Deputy DA Ann Tomsic said in a release. 'This issue, coupled with the nearly 19 years the defendant has served in prison and the difficulties retrying the case due to its age, unknown location of the victim, and death of witnesses, necessitated an agreement to a reduction in the eleven sex offense charges and their sentences, along with an understanding that he will be immediately removed from the United States.' Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents took Al-Turki into custody on Tuesday and will remove him from the U.S. to Saudi Arabia. 'Al-Turki has served nearly two decades in prison for his heinous and aggravated conduct,' District Attorney Amy Padden said. 'Returning this convicted felon and sex offender to his home country ensures he will not be able to prey on anyone else in our community.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Yahoo
Teen sentenced to decades for killing 15-year-old, Iraqi refugee in 2 shootings
DENVER (KDVR) — An 18-year-old has been sentenced to several decades in prison for two 2023 Arapahoe County shootings that killed a 15-year-old and an Iraqi refugee. Dhaevontae Rogers-Broadus received a 30-year and a 20-year sentence on Wednesday for the two shootings, which will run concurrently, the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office announced on X. He had pleaded guilty to both shootings earlier this month. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox The first shooting, which happened Sept. 19, 2023, Roger-Broadus shot and killed 23-year-old Ahmed Zainuldeen, a refugee from Iraq, outside an apartment complex. He pleaded guilty to one charge of second-degree murder. The second shooting happened in October 2023 at Southlands Mall in Aurora. 15-year-old Raphael Velin was shot and killed in the parking lot in a pre-planned meetup. Under a plea agreement, Rogers-Broadus pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
07-03-2025
- CBS News
Colorado woman who pleaded guilty to faking brain cancer to avoid prosecution sentenced to probation
A Colorado woman who previously pleaded guilty to several charges in connection with faking cancer to avoid prosecution in a false reporting case was sentenced on Friday. A judge suspended the prison sentences handed down to Robin Niceta on Friday in exchange for three years of probation following her release from prison. She is currently incarcerated in the Colorado Department of Corrections for the false reporting case. Niceta pleaded guilty in October 2024 to attempting to influence a public servant, forgery, tampering with physical evidence, criminal impersonation and second-degree forgery. According to the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office, the judge sentenced Niceta to three years in the Department of Corrections for attempting to influence a public servant, two years in prison for forgery, and one year in prison for the tampering charge. All prison sentences handed down Friday were suspended on the condition that she successfully complete three years of probation after she is released from prison for the previous conviction of false reporting. Niceta, a former Arapahoe County human services worker, is currently serving a four-year prison sentence in the Colorado Department of Corrections after a judge sentenced her in May 2024. Niceta was convicted in November 2023 of attempting to influence a public servant by filing a false report. She made a false claim of child abuse with the Arapahoe County Department of Human Services against Aurora City Councilwoman Danielle Jurinsky that Jurinsky was possibly sexually abusing her son. Investigators eventually cleared Jurinsky of any wrongdoing and traced the call to Niceta. As charges moved through the courts, Niceta provided medical records and MRI images in an attempt to prove she was suffering from cancerous brain tumors and would be unable to appear in court. Investigators later found the medical records had been falsified.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Yahoo
2 more arrested in theft of 2 bulldog puppies from Centennial store
DENVER (KDVR) — Deputies arrested the man who allegedly snatched a pair of bulldog puppies from an enclosure at a Centennial pet store in February, alongside the owner of the getaway car, but are still searching for one of the missing dogs. Jonathan Muniz, 32, was arrested on Feb. 28 at a residence in Denver, the same day the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office announced charges had been filed against Timothy Davis, 37, for his alleged role in the theft. Police: Armed woman shot by Clear Creek County deputies after chase, crash Davis was accused of faking a seizure, distracting employees of Perfect Pets while Muniz allegedly took the puppies from the enclosure located near the back of the store and then sprinted for the front door. The whole incident was caught on a surveillance camera. Bianca Rose Larsen, manager of Perfect Pets, told FOX31's Rachel Saurer on Feb. 23 that two men entered her busy store on the afternoon of Feb. 21 and said they gave her some red flags right off the bat. When the man, alleged to be Muniz, tried to flee with the dogs, an employee managed to grab him, causing him to trip and fall, throwing the puppies in the process. He was able to get up and leave the store, fleeing in a gold Cadillac Escalade, according to the sheriff's office. Muniz is being held without bond and is facing charges of robbery, theft, conspiracy to commit theft, third-degree assault, violation of a protection order and two counts of cruelty to animals. He is scheduled to appear in court on March 10 for a preliminary hearing. Deputies also obtained an arrest warrant for the owner of the Escalade, who turned herself in on March 5. Porfiria Tacorante, 34, posted a $25,000 cash or surety bond and is facing charges of theft and conspiracy to commit theft. She is scheduled to appear in court on March 19. One of the puppies was returned on Feb. 24 after a woman who purchased the puppy from a street vendor in Denver saw a news story about the theft. She said she had purchased the dog for $1,500 — Perfect Pets was selling the pups for $4,299. The second puppy has not been located. Anyone who has information about the dog is asked to contact Investigator Erik VanCleave at 720-874-7762 or evancleave@ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
