In a number of court appearances on Thursday, defendants in Garfield County faced charges ranging from drug distribution and burglary to sexual assault and illegal firearms possession. 

Christopher Brown

Christopher Brown appeared in Garfield County Court facing multiple felonies, including unlawful distribution of a drug with intent to distribute (Class II Felony), unlawful distribution, possession of a Schedule I substance and burglary. His charges, which span five different cases dating back to 2021, are all in relation to possession of fentanyl. 

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On Thursday, Brown pleaded guilty to second-degree burglary for breaking into a building on January 22, 2023, with the intent to commit theft, facing a potential prison term of 8-24 years. Brown also pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, related to an incident on November 19, 2021, where he possessed more than 14 grams of methamphetamine, which could result in an 8-16 year sentence. During Thursday’s hearing, Brown’s legal representative asked for other charges stemming since 2021 to be dropped.

Brown’s sentencing is scheduled for March 7.

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Janvier Pinkard

Janvier Pinkard’s court appearance revolves around a December 2020 incident where he forcibly entered a residence with a handgun, alleging a foster family was involved in child pornography related to his daughter, a claim made without evidence.

 After pleading not guilty due to insanity, charges against him included menacing, first-degree burglary, and felon in possession of a weapon. Concerns about Pinkard’s mental health have been raised due to self-harm and a hunger strike while in custody.

Despite objections from family members, Pinkard opted to represent himself, a decision upheld by Judge Denise Lynch. Having been found competent four times in the past three years, Pinkard is currently being held at the Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Pueblo.

 Pinkard is next set to appear at 1:30 p.m., Feb. 22.

Justin Raulerson

Justin Raulerson faced court Thursday due to his involvement in illegal drug and firearm distribution. The Special Problems Enforcement and Response (SPEAR) team’s investigation linked Raulerson, as well as two others, to a substantial cache of drugs and firearms in August 2023.

The drugs seized during the investigation included:

• 3,026 fentanyl pills
• 1 gram of fentanyl powder
• 226.66 grams of methamphetamine
• 17.2 grams of crack cocaine
• 1.18 grams of cocaine
• 13 morphine pills
• 86 Xanax pills
• 3 hydrocodone pills

During Raulerson’s Jan 18 hearing, the district attorney’s office asked to revoke Raulerson’s bond due to noncompliance with pretrial services, which was denied.

 After already posting a $50,000 cash-only bond after his initial arrest, Judge Denise Lynch set an additional $50,000 cash-only bond after Raulerson failed to appear on Thursday, labeling him “a danger to society.”

During Thursday’s hearing, officials were unable to locate whether Raulerson was being held in another county for additional charges.

Daniel Rodden

Daniel Rodden’s court appearance followed a 2019 arrest involving a group of 12 individuals and the seizure of significant amounts of heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and a loaded handgun. 

The arrests stemmed from an investigation into a drug trafficking organization by the Two Rivers Drug Enforcement Team (TRIDENT) and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Rodden, who failed to report to probation and subsequently failed to appear in person on Thursday, instead attending the court session via Webex on Thursday, led to Judge Lynch issuing a warrant for Rodden for failure to comply but stated he could be released upon meeting with probation. 

Rodden said via Webex on Thursday that plans to turn himself into Mesa County for transportation to Garfield County.

Sexual Assault Investigation Leads to Arrest

Editor’s note: It is the Post Independent’s policy to not name those accused of sex crimes until a guilty plea or verdict unless they are a person of public trust such as a teacher, counselor, pastor or other similar positions. 

A sexual assault investigation by Rifle Police Detectives resulted in the arrest of a man on Wednesday. Arrested without incident in Rifle, the man faces charges including two counts of Sexual Exploitation/Child-Induce/Entice (third-degree felony) and two counts of Internet Sex Exploitation of a Child (fourth-degree felony).

His arraignment has yet to be announced.