April 28, 2005

Contact: Lynn Kimbrough, 720-913-9025 

Lt. Bob Stef, Aurora PD, 303 739-6250

GRAND JURY HANDS DOWN 97-COUNT INDICTMENT

A lengthy, complex investigation by the Aurora Police Department has resulted in one of the largest identity theft indictments in the Denver area. 

A Denver Grand Jury has returned a 97-count indictment charging 16 people with a variety of crimes including racketeering, computer crime, theft, burglary, forgery and aggravated motor vehicle theft.  The indictment was returned on April 21, 2005 and was unsealed late yesterday.

The indictment alleges that a core group of five people with the help of 11 other co-defendants conspired to steal money, merchandise, check books, credit cards, cars, guns, and other items for the ultimate purpose of obtaining and using methamphetamine.

Kasey Blake Gruver (07-27-74), Jennifer Wilson (04-18-81), Mark Hazlett (06-26-65), Daniel Campbell (12-16-77), and Guadalupe “Jay” Garcia (03-04-79) are each charged with violating the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act (racketeering) along with dozens of other felony charges.

The indictment outlines an alleged criminal enterprise in which the group created checks and identification which in turn were used to steal from and defraud businesses and individuals.  The indictment alleges that Gruver, Wilson, Hazlett and Campbell along with others were the ‘clearing house’ for stolen merchandise and stolen personal and financial information.

The seven-month-long investigation began in August 2004.  Lt. Charles Holzheimer, Sergeant Gary Reno and Crime Analyst Laurie Milford from Aurora’s District 3 recognized a series of pattern burglaries.  They were able to track locations where forged checks were being passed and used surveillance photos to try to identify suspects.  A forged check allegedly passed by Mark Hazlett, known as the “booger bandit” from the surveillance picture, was one of those linked to the enterprise and helped solve the case. 

The Aurora Police Department, the 18^th Judicial District Attorney’s Office and the Denver DA’s Office worked together to take the investigation into the Grand Jury.

Of the other co-defendants, four are still at large:

Bernard Kinnard (02-26-74), Alicia Gomez (12-19-85), Angela Jensen (02-08-83) and Pamela Gaudreault (12-31-67).

The remaining co-defendants are:

Beth Christensen (03-05-86)

Joelee Garcia (12-03-80)

Steven Howe (07-23-68)

Chase Lontin (06-09-85)

Zachary Marner (10-23-85)

Benjamin Martinez (12-13-80)

Brandy More (11-06-76)

Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey praised the outstanding work of the Aurora Police Department and the assistance of the 18^th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.  “The amount of crime fueled by illegal drug use, especially meth right now, has a huge impact on everyone in the metro area.   We all benefit when a criminal enterprise like this is shut down.”

Gruver will appear in Denver District Court tomorrow to be formally advised of the charges.  Wilson, Hazlett, Campbell and Garcia were advised earlier today and will appear in Denver District Court, division 17, on May 10, 2005 for their arraignment.

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