Probation and House Arrest

Civil rights lawsuits attack excesses of Colorado's sex offender laws

Colorado's tough sex offender laws are supposed to keep predators under tight supervision. But a series of lawsuits claim that the system is violating even minor offenders' rights to free speech and association, prohibiting contact with family members -- and, in one particularly bizarre case, telli ... More >>

Pat Sullivan, disgraced sheriff, violates parole with alcohol, "alarming" behavior

One of 2011's biggest stories was the arrest of ex-Arapahoe County Sheriff Pat Sullivan amid tales of meth for masturbation and gay porn, among other things. In the end, Sullivan received a 38-day wrist slap after pleading guilty to lesser charges. But he's now reportedly violated his probation via ... More >>

Can private probation companies be both monitor and counselor for their clients?

Charles Daugherty was Mistress of the Con -- even though he's a mister

Really, the stubble on that chunky female cheerleader should have been the first clue. But instead, notorious Colorado con man Charles Daugherty, who went by "Cheyen Weatherly" when he posed as a Colorado Springs high-school cutie, would go through many more identities and many more mysterious chapt ... More >>

Denver's plan to cool down gang violence

Also read: Gang-related deaths are on the rise in Denver

PeaceJam co-founder recalls connection with now-traveling Aung San Suu Kyi

Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi of Burma is currently in Thailand, her first international trip in 24 years. Suu Kyi spent much of the past two decades under a house arrest enforced by the ruling military junta, which has since been replaced. Now freed, Suu Kyi has been elected to Parliament. The ... More >>

Guy Cruz, probation officer, allegedly told woman no sex = jail

Guy Cruz is no longer a probation officer for the 4th Judicial District, and neither he is a high school tennis coach, the next gig he took up. But the Pueblo resident is in big trouble for allegedly threatening a parolee with jail or a loss of access to her son if she didn't get horizontal with him ... More >>

Dr. Louis Hampers sentenced to five years of probation for prescription drug fraud

Louis Hampers, the former pediatric ER doc who pleaded guilty to prescription drug fraud, was sentenced today to five years of supervised probation. Hampers, who was the subject of our cover story "Doctor Strange Love," must serve the first six months of that probation in home detention. He must als ... More >>

Douglas Bruce: political prisoner or blustering shmuck?

Yes, as Douglas Bruce told the old the Denver Post this week after he was sentenced for felony tax evasion, "There have been other political prisoners." But, Doug, you are not one of them.

Lisa Norton, hit & swim driver in fatal Gabriel Nielsen crash: DUI beefs, pot in truck (VIDEO)

Big pic below.​The case of Lisa Norton, who's accused of trying to swim away from a fatal accident she allegedly caused, keeps getting more bizarre. Authorities now confirm that she was sentenced to probation for DUI last Thursday, just two days before the crash that killed Gabriel Nielsen -- ... More >>

Lindsay Lohan's ad and other attention-grabbing antics from celebs under house arrest

Man, house arrest is rough.​House arrest isn't just for political prisoners, Pol Pot and Ponzi scheme artists anymore. In the last few years, many celebrities have had the pleasure of serving hard time in the comfort of their own cushy homes -- including Lindsay Lohan, who was placed under hou ... More >>

Brenda Stewart, who fronted prostiution ring linked to Michael Hancock, cops a plea

A past Player.​Amid the controversy over a report tying just-elected Denver mayor Michael Hancock to Denver Players, the prostitution ring that brought down Judge Edward Nottingham, much of the attention has focused on previous Players owner and alleged burglary victim Scottie Ewing. But there ... More >>

They're back: Three shmucky characters return to the headlines

Carrie McCandless​Yesterday was a big day for some of Colorado's most embarrassing characters. Two of Westword's former Shmuck of the Week award winners, Carrie McCandless and Brett Reese, were back in the news, along with Ann Crall, a member of our 2010 Hall of Shame. Stay tuned to the Late ... More >>

Eric Kinder allegedly violates his probation for armed standoff by trying to kill himself

Big pic below.​Can a suicide attempt be a parole violation? Yes, if the person hoping to kill himself has been ordered to stay away from drugs and he tries to overdose. That's the accusation against Eric Kinder, 43, whose alleged death wish follows a conviction over a police standoff prompted ... More >>

Tracy Lee Ottaway gets probation (but is banned from Cherry Creek) for trying to run down valet

Big pic below.​Did Tracy Lee Ottaway receive the justice he deserved? You be the judge. Ottaway pleaded guilty to two counts of menacing with a deadly weapon after yelling "fucking Arab" at a valet and trying to run him down with his Cadillac Escalade. But Ottaway has been sentenced to probati ... More >>

Marijuana grower Chris Bartkowicz sentenced to five years

Bartkowicz.​This morning, Highlands Ranch's Chris Bartkowicz was sentenced to five years in prison, to be followed by eight years on supervised probation, for federal marijuana cultivation charges. Bartkowicz will also undergo mandatory drug and mental health programs

Denver brings meth addicts and cops together in an unprecedented fight against drugs

Cops and meth: More success stories from Denver's one-of-a-kind drug treatment program

​This week's cover story, "The Damage Done," details the Denver-based Justice Initiative for Drug Endangered Families, a unique approach to drug treatment that employs cops in their off hours to mentor addicts they usually lock away. The feature focuses on sisters Audrey and Katie and their re ... More >>

Stan Garnett tries to capitalize on AG John Suthers's link to serial killer Scott Lee Kimball

Stan Garnett's playing hardball.​In an April post announcing his intention to challenge Colorado Attorney General John Suthers at the polls this November, Boulder district attorney Stan Garnett focused on issues like watching out for consumers, championing the environment and crafting a workab ... More >>

Van Thien Pham and the bottle of Corona he sold that may send him to jail

Van Thien Pham shoulda checked if 7-Eleven had any openings.​The sale of beer to an underage buyer doesn't usually make headlines. But in the case of Van Thien Pham, they're understandable. Back in 2007, according to the Jefferson County District Attorney's Office, Pham sold liquor to an unde ... More >>

Medical marijuana caregiver on probation, Erick Schmuckal, goes to jail over weed

Erick Schmuckal is currently in the Broomfield County Jail.​On Wednesday, Erick Schmuckal was taken directly from a court hearing to jail. He's been ordered to serve 120 days for violating his probation. What did he do to earn this sentence? According to his attorney, Sean McAllister, he acte ... More >>

Richard Heene, Balloon Boy dad: His hard-ass home detention, complete with ankle bracelet

"I've got to do what?"​Yesterday, we told you that Balloon Boy dad Richard Heene had been given permission to serve the remainder of his ninety-day sentence for attempting to influence a public servant (by insisting that his young son Falcon was in an "experimental craft" floating over Norther ... More >>

Last of Holly Square Shopping Center arsonists sentenced

Deangelo Calaway: Didn't anyone tell you not to play with matches?​Back in May 2008, a group of nine people, including Deangelo Calaway and Mitchell Walker, were upset by an incident that took place at Bash nightclub, not to mention the murder the day before of Michael Asberry, a 2007 Westword ... More >>

Salon owner Ty Tomlinson posts bail on assault and sexual contact charges

Ty Tomlinson​Local "Beauty Guru" hairstylist Ty Tomlinson was able to post bond last week after being arrested on several charges in connection with the alleged assault of his former girlfriend while she was employed at his popular Denver salon, Blanc. Court records show the bond amount includ ... More >>

T.I.

Atlantic

Foxy Brown

Brooklyn's Don Diva
Koch

Every Dog Has Its Day

Would you rather have sex with a basset hound or Dog Chapman?

Throw It All Down

Michael Lanahan's life was a puzzle, his death a mystery wrapped in a song.

Screwed for Life

For a convicted rapist, the truth may not set you free.

Crash Course

From the darkness, a ray of light that was Sonja DeVries.

Age Inappropriate

A casual fling can earn a lifetime label as a sex offender.

Follow That Story

Back in the Brig

Bad Boys

Denver's Juvenile Court just turned one hundred. The next years could be rough.

Follow That Story

Oops, He Did It Again

Nail Art

Skip and Amy once worked the mall together. Now she's out on her own.

Arrested Development

A Denver therapist wants to lock up sexual predators -- forever. But patients say the treatment is just making them bitter.

System Failure

Chanda Johnson went to court for protection from her ex-husband. She didn't get it.

Office Politics

The race is on for Boulder County District Attorney.

A Date With Rape

Follow That Story

I'm Sorry, Really I Am

Communities rely on old techniques for a new style of justice.

Justice Delayed

With the right defendant pulling the strings, Colorado's domestic-violence system can be tied into knots. A victim's story.

Public Enemy Number No. $1

The legislature says it's payback time for prisoners. So far, the prisoners haven't cooperated.

Feeling No Pain

A morphine-addicted pharmacist hid his Colorado drug conviction and resumed work in California--for a while.

SHOOT UP FIRST, ANSWER QUESTIONS LATER

HOMEWARD BOUND

CRIME MAY NOT PAY, BUT ELECTRONIC HOME DETENTION SURE DOES.

WOULD YOU BUY A USED RESTAURANT FROM THIS WOMAN?

THE POWERS OF PERSUASION

CRITICS KNOCK THE PERFORMANCE OF THE RTD'S BEN KLEIN IN HIS OTHER JOB AS EDGEWATER JUDGE.

INNOCENCE LOST

ELEVEN TREATMENT PROGRAMS LATER, TEENAGER SPENCER DAY WAS STILL MOLESTING CHILDREN. NOW HE'S IN PRISON UNTIL 2058.THIS BOY'S LIFE LAST YEAR 17-YEAR-OLD SPENCER DAY MOLESTED THREE MORE BOYS. OLD HABITS ARE HARD TO BREAK.

Off Limits

Quit horsing around!