Half the Officers in a Colorado Sheriff’s Office, Including Sheriff’s Son, Indicted for Abuse of a Corpse, Excessive Force

**Charges Filed Against Costilla County Law Enforcement Officers in Separate Incidents**

A significant case has emerged from Costilla County, Colorado, where a grand jury has indicted several officers from the local sheriff’s office on multiple charges, including official misconduct, corpse abuse, and assault. The incident has raised concerns about public trust in law enforcement within the community, particularly regarding the handling of sensitive cases.

The five individuals charged include Sheriff Danny Sanchez, who is the father of one of the indicted officers, as well as former Deputy Keith Schultz, Undersheriff Cruz Soto, Sergeant Caleb Sanchez, and Deputy Roland Riley. The indictments stemmed from two separate incidents, with the allegations suggesting a serious breach of ethical conduct and professionalism within the sheriff’s office.

According to documents reviewed by legal sources, the first incident dates back to October 2024. A property owner contacted the Costilla County Sheriff’s Office after stumbling across human remains, including a skull and teeth, on a mountainous site. Deputy Schultz was dispatched to the scene and assured the man that a more thorough investigation would follow. However, upon returning with Sheriff Sanchez, the officers reportedly collected only the skull, leaving behind other remains without proper handling or documentation.

Court statements revealed a stark absence of standard procedures in how the evidence was treated. The remains were not marked or labelled according to legal protocols, and there was inadequate documentation regarding who collected the evidence or its chain of custody. As a result, the integrity of the collected evidence has come into question.

The second incident occurred in February, involving Deputies Soto, Caleb Sanchez, and Riley, who are accused of using a Taser on a man experiencing a mental health crisis. The individual reportedly attempted to leave the sheriff’s office when officers insisted he seek medical attention. According to his statements, he was not informed that he was under arrest or prohibited from leaving, leading him to believe he was free to go.

The man described a forceful encounter where he was “tased and roughed up” when he tried to walk away, resulting in broken ribs. The circumstances surrounding this incident have prompted significant scrutiny, especially given that no charges were filed against the individual involved.

District Attorney Anne Kelly addressed the situation in a press conference, emphasising the importance of community trust in law enforcement. She stated that all five officers voluntarily turned themselves in and that they were expected to post bond shortly. “I cannot and will not ignore violations of the trust that a community should have in their police,” Kelly asserted, insisting that no resident of the San Luis Valley should question the integrity of their law enforcement agencies.

The district attorney’s office has confirmed that Sheriff Sanchez and Deputy Schultz face charges of official misconduct and corpse abuse. Insignificant additional charges have also been brought against Soto, including failure to intervene and third-degree assault. Conversely, Caleb Sanchez and Riley are both charged with second- and third-degree assault.

Kelly reiterated her office’s commitment to investigating and prosecuting any violations of state law, regardless of the offender’s position or title. “Our community expects our law enforcement officers to perform their duties with integrity and adherence to the law,” she stated.

This case has drawn attention not only for the serious nature of the allegations but also for the implications it holds for the credibility of law enforcement in rural communities. As the legal proceedings unfold, many residents will be watching closely to see how the situation is addressed and what measures will be taken to restore public trust in the sheriff’s office.

The Costilla County Sheriff’s Office, which has only seven active law enforcement officers, now faces the difficult task of reconciling these events with the expectations of the community they serve. The outcome of this case may well serve as a pivotal moment for law enforcement practices in the area moving forward.