Denver – Criminal charges were filed Monday against former Broncos football player Tyrone Braxton, including a felony drug charge and a prostitution charge.
Braxton, who was arrested this month in Aurora, appeared in court in Arapahoe County with his attorney, Anthony Viorst.
The former defensive back is charged with possession of a controlled substance, a felony, as well as patronizing a prostitute and possession of marijuana, both petty offenses.
Braxton, 41, had a small amount of cocaine and marijuana on him when he was searched by police Dec. 2 in the 14000 block of East Princeton Place, Aurora police said.
He allegedly agreed to pay 21-year-old Audrey Linda Rose Evans $600 for sex.
Braxton held a news conference after his arrest and admitted he had a drug problem but denied the prostitution charge.
He declined comment Monday.
Braxton’s next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 24.
Additional local news briefs:
EVERGREEN
Fire chief’s departure “cordial,” he says
The Evergreen Fire Protection District is looking for a new fire chief.
Fire Chief Joel Janov will continue as chief until the district’s board of directors finds his replacement based on a national search, the board announced Monday.
Janov, who makes $95,000 annually, described the move as a “cordial separation.”
Board treasurer David Klaus announced his resignation, effective April 1, as a result of the district’s new direction.
The move is based on “differences of opinion in management style” between board members and Janov, Klaus said.
BOULDER
State’s top university cities rated smartest
The locations of Colorado’s largest universities top the nation’s “smartest” cities, according to a list compiled recently by Forbes.com.
Boulder was ranked the smartest city, based on the percentage of its population with at least a bachelor’s degree.
The Fort Collins-Loveland metropolitan area, home to Colorado State University, came in seventh.
Using data from Sperling’s Best Places (www.bestplaces.net), Forbes.com looked at data from the 200 biggest metropolitan areas in the U.S. and ranked them based on the percentage of the population age 25 and over with at least a bachelor’s degree.
AURORA
Police identify girl, 4, killed in Friday crash
Police have identified the 4-year-old girl who was killed after the vehicle she was riding in went out of control and hit a parked semi-trailer Friday.
The victim was identified as Aeliyah French of Aurora.
According to police, Carl Braden, 39, was driving a Ford Explorer near Tower Road and East 19th Avenue when he lost control. Three children, including French, were with Braden.
The condition of Braden and the others still in the hospital was not available.
WASHINGTON
Allard adds HELP panel to assignments
Sen. Wayne Allard, R-Colo., will join the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions or HELP Committee when the Senate returns in January.
Allard remains on the Appropriations Committee, Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee and the Budget Committee.
On the new committee, Allard will deal with issues that include access to health care, reimbursement of physicians who serve Medicare patients, medical liability, and No Child Left Behind, the federal program intended to ensure all school children are properly educated.
DENVER
Ritter wants to expand health-reform group
Gov.-elect Bill Ritter said Monday that he would ask the state legislature to expand its Blue Ribbon Commission for Health Care Reform to add three members appointed by him.
He also wants the legislature to consider adding 60 days to its November 2007 deadline for a report, said commissioner member Elisabeth Arenales.
During his campaign, Ritter said he wanted to expand health-care access to the 770,000 Coloradans who don’t have health insurance.
DENVER
Gov.-elect names four more to his staff
Gov.-elect Bill Ritter on Monday named four more members of his administration.
Evan Dreyer, who served as the campaign’s spokesman, will be communications director. Dreyer, 40, is a former city editor of The Denver Post.
Adrian Miller will join as deputy legislative director; Scott Hutchings as director of operations and advance; and Flossy Aston as executive assistant to the governor.
DENVER
Sleep therapist faces sex-assault charges
A Denver sleep therapist faces sex assault charges stemming from a woman’s complaint that he had sex with her on several occasions, sometimes while she was under hypnosis.
Kim Nagel, 53, who is charged with felony aggravated sex assault, bonded out of Denver’s jail Saturday, according to county court records.
Nagel over a year-long period beginning December 1999 had sex with a 50-year-old patient and had told her it was part of her therapy for sleep disorder, his accuser said.
Neither Nagel nor his attorney could be reached for comment.
He is scheduled to appear again in Denver court on Dec. 29.
