Reward offered in Rifle homicide

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Having gone months without an arrest, the Rifle Police Department said Tuesday it would offer a $2,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Michael Francis Montgomery.
Montgomery is wanted in the slaying of his son-in-law Christopher Gallegos, 28. Gallegos was shot to death on March 29 outside an apartment building on the 2600 block of Acacia Avenue in Rifle.
Montgomery is 45 years old and is approximately 5 feet, 8 inches tall. He weighs 177 pounds and has hazel eyes, a press release said.
Residents are urged not to approach Montgomery and to instead call 911 if he is seen.
If you have any information call the Rifle Police Department at 970-665-6500. If you do not receive an answer, call 970-625-8095 and ask to speak to an on-duty Rifle police officer.
He has two distinct tattoos on both forearms and may have cut his hair and altered his facial hair. Montgomery is aware that he is wanted for homicide, according to the press release.
“We’re still working with FBI and Marshals Service, and as it remains an active investigation, we can’t comment on where we are in terms of evidence or locating him,” Rifle Chief of Police Tommy Klein said. “We really want to keep it in the public’s mind and perhaps someone who knows him might be interested in the reward.
“The reward does not hinge on conviction, just apprehension,” Klein said. “We want him back in Garfield County to face trial.”
Montgomery has an outstanding warrant for his arrest indicating that a judicial official found probable cause for a murder charge.
Gallegos died from a gunshot wound to the head. The shooting is the only homicide in Garfield County so far in 2017.
Records show that Montgomery was arrested earlier this year on a felony drug charge.
He was pulled over by Silt police Feb. 3 and was initially charged with driving without a valid license, but officers also discovered methamphetamine, various drug paraphernalia and items associated with drug distribution in the vehicle, authorities said. Among his arresting charges were three felony counts of possession of a controlled substance and two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, a petty offense.
That was the only arrest shown in a Colorado Bureau of Investigation background report on Montgomery.
If you have any information call the Rifle Police Department at 970-665-6500. If you do not receive an answer, call 970-625-8095 and ask to speak to an on-duty Rifle police officer.

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