SHERIFF TAKES YOUR QUESTIONS LIVE
Arapahoe County Sheriff Tyler Brown is often seen interacting with the community at local events throughout town, it's something he enjoys and carves out time for. He's always there to answer questions, listen to your comments and feedback and figure out ways to work better together. Now, in an effort to reach more citizens, he's going online to take your questions LIVE on Facebook.
This is a great opportunity for citizens to ask me anything they want about our agency and how we handle law enforcement issues in Arapahoe County," says Sheriff Brown.
You can ask the sheriff about topics such as homelessness, mental health and the fentanyl crisis. He'll also take questions such as:
- How do we patrol our community?
- Why we have school resource officers?
- What's the process to get a conceal carry permit?
- How do you investigate officer involved shootings and the use of force by deputies?
- How do you handle internal affair complaints?
Unfortunately, what he cannot discuss publicly are open, active and ongoing criminal investigations. Once those investigations are closed, he is happy to comment on them.
If you miss the live stream, it will be recorded on our Facebook page, so you can watch it at a later date. So mark your calendars and join Sheriff Tyler Brown LIVE on April 21 at 10:00 am Mountain Time on the sheriff's official Facebook page: ArapahoeSO. Don't forget to LIKE and FOLLOW us!
ARRESTED ON A FRIDAY? SEE A JUDGE ON THE WEEKEND
"Weekend Court" begins April 1
Arapahoe County inmates who are arrested on a Friday no longer have to sit in jail for several days and wait until Monday or Tuesday when the courts reopen. Welcome to Saturday bond hearings. It's all part of a new state law starting April 1, which requires most arrestees to appear before a judge within 48 hours of their arrival at jail.
We started a testing phase of the video hearings several weeks ago with the hope we'd have a seamless transition on April 1, and so far it's been very smooth," says Lt. Craig Reams, Court Services.
Every Saturday around 1:30 p.m., about 10 to 20 inmates line up for their virtual hearing. A judge is present via video, along with a public defender, a prosecutor, court clerks and sometimes, even the victims.
The bond hearing allows the judge to release inmates from custody while their criminal case is pending. The judge decides whether to set bail, allowing the person to bond out while they await a trial. In less serious cases, the court may allow a suspect to be released on a personal recognizance or PR bond, without the need to pay any cash bail.
At the Arapahoe County Jail there are four deputies assigned to Saturday court. They are busy getting inmates ready, checking court dockets and making sure the equipment and technology is set up and functioning properly.
We had to completely revamp our staffing on Saturdays by scheduling court deputies on weekends. We also had to train our employees on new procedures . We've been working on this for six months now," says Lt. Reams.
For inmates, the best part about weekend court is they won't be locked up longer than necessary, and if needed, the remote hearings could also start happening on Sundays and holidays as well.
You can learn more about the new state law by clicking the button below.
LESSONS IN A DEATH INVESTIGATION
As a medical investigator for the Arapahoe County Coroner's Office for 16 years, Elizabeth Ortiz has seen it all, from natural deaths to the most horrific homicides. She's often asked, "What does a coroner do? What cases are investigated and which ones require an autopsy?" So Ortiz decided to host the Citizens' Academy Alumni on March 22 and give them a tour of the coroner's office to share what it's all about.
These tours provide the citizens of Arapahoe County an overall comprehensive idea of what truly takes place in our office and helps dispel any and all myths provided by the media," says Elizabeth Ortiz, Medical Investigator.
Ortiz also shared an informative presentation about how complex death investigations are handled.
To become part of the Arapahoe County Citizens' Academy Alumni (ACCAA), you must first successfully complete and graduate from the Citizens Academy. The mission of the ACCAA is to continue the partnership by holding fun, exciting, informational and free meetings once a quarter.
To find out how to participate in the Citizens' Academy, click the button below and watch the video. The academy is for adults 21 and older and gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the sheriff's office.
HONORED FOR SOLVING A COLD CASE
DEPUTY ANDREW FEHRINGER RECEIVES "ELKS DEPUTY OF THE YEAR" AWARD FOR HIS DEDICATION TO PUBLIC SERVICE
When Investigator Andrew Fehringer cracked a child sex assault case after it sat dormant for 14 years, his boss, Captain Travis Stewart knew Fehringer should be honored for his efforts.
He re-opened an old case from 2007, knew something wasn't right and diligently pursued it until three child predators were behind bars," said Stewart.
On September 7, 2021, Allan Long, 51, was arrested and charged with 42 counts relating to child sexual abuse that dated back to 2001. The local news media covered the story.
Long pled guilty and now faces 80 years to life for abusing children over two decades. It was a case that was reported to authorities but eventually stalled because some of the victims were young and unwilling to disclose information. The case was revived in 2021 by a supervisor in the evidence bureau who contacted Fehringer who reopened the case.
Through the course of the investigation, two other women were also arrested -- Allan Long's wife, Martha Long, 52, and former girlfriend, Rona Culler, 55. Together, Fehringer says the three had victimized seven children who endured years of sexual abuse and incest throughout their childhood and in some cases, into adulthood.
Deputy Fehringer's commitment to justice for child victims led to the arrest of multiple sexual predators and stopped a vicious cycle of abuse," says Travis Stewart, Captain of Investigations.
Watch the full story on 7News below.
CAN YOU HELP US CRACK THIS COLD CASE?
Vicki Clements Carpenter's body was found in April, 37 years ago
Vicki Carpenter, 24, was a popular, outgoing, energetic, and well-liked mother who loved her 3-year-old son.
She also liked country western dancing and was starting to show an interest in entering some variety contests at local establishments.
Although estranged from one another, Vicki and her husband kept their relationship amicable for the sake of their son.
On the evening of February 18, 1985, Vicki went to Knicks Restaurant and Saloon for the first time to participate in a fashion contest.
Around midnight, she left Knicks and headed home. She never showed up and her mother, who had been on the phone all night trying to locate her, reported her missing the next day.
Witnesses at Knicks later stated they saw Vicki get into her 1967 white and maroon Buick by herself. The car was later found abandoned about a half mile east of Knicks, in the parking lot of an apartment complex.
Vicki's family knew something terrible must have happened because she would never leave her son. Her family continued to search for her until their hopes were dashed on April 2, 1985, when some kids who had been fishing discovered Vicki's partially submerged body floating in the Cherry Creek spillway.
If you have any information related to Vicki Carpenter's case, please contact Investigator Charles Kelley with the Cold Case Unit at ckelley@arapahoegov.com or 720-874-4051.