MESA COUNTY, CO — Mesa County Sheriff’s Office deputies made several arrests between October 29 and November 1 following investigations involving drugs, impaired driving, threats and domestic violence.
K9 Search Leads to Drug Arrest
On October 29, at approximately 10:20 p.m., deputies contacted Juan Montoya, 45, of Grand Junction, in the 500 block of 29 1/2 Road. Montoya had multiple outstanding arrest warrants.
Based on Montoya’s behavior, deputies deployed narcotics-trained K9 Deni to check the exterior of his vehicle. According to authorities, Deni alerted to the odor of narcotics, and a subsequent search uncovered more than 10 grams of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
Montoya was transported to the Mesa County Detention Facility on the following charges:
- Unlawful Possession of More Than Four Grams of a Controlled Substance — Schedule I/II, Flunitrazepam, Ketamine or GHB (Drug Felony 4)
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Drug Petty Offense)
- Failure to Appear Warrants
Erratic Driving Leads to DUI Arrest
On October 30, at approximately 3:15 a.m., deputies stopped a vehicle after observing it failing to maintain its lane and traveling at erratic speeds.
The driver, identified as Adriel Torres Sanchez, 23, of Rifle, smelled of alcohol, and deputies observed alcohol containers inside the vehicle. According to authorities, Torres Sanchez acknowledged consuming alcohol before driving and smoking marijuana.
He was arrested and booked into the Mesa County Detention Facility on the following charges:
- Driving Under the Influence (Misdemeanor 1)
- Failure to Drive in a Designated Lane (Traffic Infraction)
- Impeding Traffic Due to Low Speed (Traffic Infraction)
- Fugitive from Another Jurisdiction Warrant
Reported Threats Result in Menacing Arrest
Later on October 30, at approximately 2:00 p.m., deputies responded to threats in progress in the 500 block of 29 1/2 Road in Grand Junction.
The victims reported that Wayne “Tony” Flanagan, 56, of Grand Junction, had made multiple verbal threats to harm them. Deputies interviewed individuals in the area and collected statements from the victims.
Flanagan was arrested and booked into the Mesa County Detention Facility on the following charge:
- Misdemeanor Menacing (Two Counts, Misdemeanor 1)
Deputies Hear Crash Near Clifton Substation
On October 31, at approximately 4:20 a.m., deputies heard a crash near the Sheriff’s Office substation in the 100 block of 2nd Street in Clifton. They located a small truck blocking traffic on 33 Road, with debris in the roadway.
According to authorities, deputies smelled alcohol on the driver and conducted field sobriety testing. A breath test showed an alcohol concentration well above the legal limit.
The driver, identified as Saul Ruiz Castillo, 18, of Clifton, was arrested and booked into the Mesa County Detention Facility on the following charges:
- Driving Under the Influence (Misdemeanor 1)
- Illegal Possession or Consumption of Alcohol by a Person Under 21 (Petty Offense)
- Careless Driving (Misdemeanor 1)
- DUI Per Se — Blood Alcohol Content of .08 or Higher (Misdemeanor 1)
Assault Victim Reports Stabbing and Forced Entry
On November 1, at approximately 3:00 a.m., deputies responded to an assault in progress in the 100 block of Laura Avenue in Clifton.
The victim reported being stabbed by an intoxicated man who then fled in a car. Deputies located the suspect’s vehicle a short distance away and detained him.
According to the victim, Brian Abbott Clark, 25, of Fairplay, had forced his way into the residence, physically assaulted them and prevented them from leaving. The victim eventually reached a neighbor’s home to call for help after Abbott Clark allegedly took their phone.
Clark was arrested and booked into the Mesa County Detention Facility on the following charges:
- False Imprisonment (Misdemeanor 2)
- Violation of a Protection Order (Misdemeanor 1)
- Obstruction of Telephone or Telegraph Service (Misdemeanor 1)
- Second-Degree Assault with Intent to Cause Serious Bodily Injury by Strangulation (Felony 4)
- Domestic Violence
- Theft — Shoplifting, $1,000 to $2,000 (Misdemeanor 1)
Man Accused of Blocking Apartment Exit
On November 1, at approximately 1:20 p.m., deputies responded to a verbal altercation at a residence in the 400 block of 32 1/8 Road in Clifton.
Deputies contacted Marcos Gallegos, 23, of Clifton, and the victim inside the residence. The victim reported that Gallegos was blocking the apartment’s exit and preventing them from leaving.
After interviewing both individuals and reviewing the evidence, deputies arrested Gallegos and booked him into the Mesa County Detention Facility on the following charges:
- False Imprisonment (Misdemeanor 2)
- Domestic Violence
Quincy Lane Assault Leads to Arrest
Later on November 1, at approximately 8:00 p.m., deputies responded to an assault in progress in the 2800 block of Quincy Lane in Grand Junction.
Deputies spoke with the victim, who had visible facial injuries. Investigators learned of ongoing verbal and physical altercations at the home involving the victim and Harold Tait, 48, of Grand Junction.
Tait was arrested and booked into the Mesa County Detention Facility on the following charges:
- Third-Degree Assault (Misdemeanor 1)
- Domestic Violence