Indictments Shake Costilla County Sheriff’s Department

A significant misconduct investigation has led to the indictment of more than half of the Costilla County Sheriff’s Department in Colorado, including Sheriff Danny Sanchez and former Deputy Keith Schultz. The indictments, announced by Twelfth Judicial District Attorney Anne Kelly, stem from two separate incidents involving the mishandling of human remains and the use of excessive force against a person experiencing a mental health crisis.

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Sheriff Danny Sanchez, 63, and former Deputy Keith Schultz, 45, face serious charges, including four counts of official misconduct and one count of abuse of a corpse. These charges arise from an incident on October 2, 2024, when the sheriff's office responded to a report of human remains found on Wild Horse Mesa. According to the grand jury indictment, while Sanchez and Schultz collected a skull, they left behind other remains, including teeth and clothing, which are now considered lost. The remains were reportedly delivered to the coroner in an unlabeled paper bag, lacking proper documentation and chain of custody, raising significant concerns about the integrity of the investigation.

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In a separate incident, three other members of the sheriff’s department—Undersheriff Cruz Soto, Sergeant Caleb Sanchez (Danny Sanchez's son), and Deputy Roland Riley—are charged with using excessive force against a man in a mental health crisis. The indictment alleges that in February, the deputies deployed Tasers on the individual, who was not armed and posed no immediate threat. The man suffered injuries, including a broken rib, and was not charged by the sheriff’s office following the incident. The deputies failed to document the event or inform Sheriff Sanchez, and a use-of-force investigation was never conducted.

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District Attorney Anne Kelly emphasized her commitment to holding law enforcement accountable, stating, “I cannot and will not ignore violations of the trust that a community should have in their police.” She affirmed that the indictments reflect a broader commitment to integrity within law enforcement. Following the indictments, an emergency meeting was convened to appoint Joe Smith as the temporary sheriff, with a new sheriff to be elected in November.

The Independent

The indictments have raised concerns about the integrity of the Costilla County Sheriff’s Office, which employs only seven law enforcement officers. Critics argue that the mishandling of human remains and the use of excessive force undermine public trust in law enforcement. The community is now left questioning the accountability of their police force, as these incidents have shaken the foundation of trust that is essential for effective policing.

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• “I cannot and will not ignore violations of the trust that a community should have in their police.” — Anne Kelly, Twelfth Judicial District Attorney

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• “Our community expects our law enforcement officers to perform their duties with integrity and adherence to the law. Restoring and maintaining public trust must always start with accountability.” — Anne Kelly, Twelfth Judicial District Attorney

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All five indicted individuals are expected to appear in court soon, with no specific dates set for the hearings. The ongoing investigation may lead to further developments as the community and legal authorities seek to address the implications of these serious allegations.

The Independent