Deputies raided a house 500 feet from an elementary school Tuesday, ending a months-long investigation that resulted in several arrests related to drugs, car thefts, identity theft and gang activity in a small town northeast of Grand Junction.
The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office was investigating the activities at the house in Battlement Mesa from January to the middle of March, according to a statement from the sheriff’s office. Gang members were known to either live at the house or frequently visit it.
After multiple reports of property crimes, such as vehicle thefts, thefts from vehicles and a burglary, deputies raided the home on March 13, according to the statement. The sheriff’s office found forged documents, drug paraphernalia and documents relating to drug distribution.
Throughout the nearly three-month investigation, five adults have been arrested, another has a warrant for her arrest and a juvenile received a summons to the juvenile district court for obstructing an officer.
According to the sheriff’s office, the arrested people are:
- Alejandra Anel Torres, 30, was arrested in January on charges of aggravated motor vehicle theft, theft, unauthorized use of a financial device, criminal trespassing and criminal impersonation.
- Martin Carmona, 30, was also arrested in January on charges of aggravated motor vehicle theft, vehicle eluding, theft, unauthorized use of a financial device, identity theft, forgery, conspiracy, obstructing a police officer, reckless driving, criminal mischief, criminal trespassing and failure to comply.
- Moses Alfonso Gallegos, 50, was arrested in early March on charges of violating a bail bond condition, unlawful possession of more than 12 ounces of marijuana, violating a protection order and possession of drug paraphernalia.
- Bryon Lee Galliher, 33, was also arrested in early March on charges of a traffic infraction, fictitious license plates, no insurance, driving while license was revoked, possession of 6 to 12 ounces of marijuana, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
- Jairo Morales-Ayala, 21, was arrested Tuesday on charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and obstructing a peace officer.
- Marlene Dean Hunter, 35, has a warrant for her arrest on charges of forging a government-issued document, violating bail bond conditions, child abuse through negligence and possession of drug paraphernalia.
