Adams County Sheriff's Office (Colorado)

News Release: Eighteen suspects responsible for organized and violent criminal activity throughout the state were recently arrested as part of a two-phase, multi-jurisdictional operation led by the Regional Anti-Violence Enforcement Network. The 13-month investigation targeted 20 members of a local criminal organization responsible for more than 20 criminal episodes affecting 13 jurisdictions, including the cities of Aurora, Bennett, Commerce City, Denver, Frederick, Firestone, Greeley and Parker, as well as Adams, Arapahoe, Denver, Douglas and Weld counties. Investigators obtained 67 search warrants and seized 31 firearms during the investigation. Arrest warrants were obtained for 18 suspects, including 14 adults and four minors, on a total of 185 criminal charges, including 166 felonies and 19 misdemeanors. All 18 suspects are in custody and charged in Denver District Court. “This investigation demonstrates what can be accomplished when law enforcement agencies work together to hold violent offenders accountable and disrupt criminal networks operating across our communities,” said Deputy Chief Mark Hildebrand, who oversees the Aurora Police Department’s Investigations Division, which includes the RAVEN Task Force. “Over 13 months, this regional effort resulted in 18 arrests, 166 felony charges and the seizure of 31 firearms, addressing serious crimes that affected 13 jurisdictions across the Denver metro area and northern Colorado. “These results reflect the commitment of our partner agencies to protecting our communities and ensuring those responsible for violent crime are held accountable for their actions and widespread victimization.” The investigation was led by two task force officers from the Aurora Police Department and the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office. The suspects were arrested during two multi-jurisdictional operations on Sept. 15 and Oct. 7. The first take down operation targeted 12 suspects and all were taken into custody. The second take down operation targeted the remaining six suspects, five of whom were arrested that day. The final suspect was taken into custody days later. The suspects were arrested in Aurora, Bennett, Commerce City, Denver, Greeley and Wichita, Kan. RAVEN agencies and other law enforcement partners that contributed resources or assisted with the operations include SWAT Teams from the Aurora, Commerce City, Brighton, Denver, Englewood, Greeley and the Littleton police departments, SWAT Teams from the Arapahoe County and Douglas County sheriff’s offices, the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Response Team, the Denver District Attorney’s Office, Kansas Highway Patrol, ATF and the U.S. Marshals Service. “RAVEN’s success demonstrates the strength of collaboration among law enforcement agencies and our shared commitment to keeping communities safe,” said Arapahoe County Sheriff Tyler S. Brown. “By combining investigative expertise, resources and coordinated efforts across jurisdictions, our partner agencies helped disrupt this alleged criminal network. “This regional partnership sends a clear message that those charged with violent and organized criminal activity will be pursued across jurisdictional boundaries, while reinforcing our commitment to protecting residents and holding individuals accountable through the justice system.” The adult suspects arrested during the investigation are: Brandon McAfee, 48, faces 11 charges, including unlawfully providing a handgun to a minor, unlawful possession of a large-capacity magazine, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, child abuse, failing to properly secure a firearm and possession of a dangerous weapon. Daniel Lopez, 20, faces 16 charges, including violating the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act, aggravated robbery, conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery, first-degree assault, conspiracy to commit first-degree assault, menacing, attempted first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, attempted first-degree assault and conspiracy to commit first-degree assault. Diego Rodriguez-Balderrama, 18, faces 26 charges, including violating the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act, attempted first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, attempted first-degree assault, conspiracy to commit first-degree assault, menacing, first-degree assault, aggravated robbery, unlawful possession of a large-capacity magazine, criminal mischief, reckless endangerment and illegal discharge of a firearm. Gina Bramlett, 59, faces two charges, including accessory to a crime and attempting to influence a public servant. Griselda Muniz, 38, faces four charges, including unlawful possession of a dangerous weapon, unlawfully providing a handgun to a minor, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and child abuse. Nicole Garcia, 47, faces 11 charges, including unlawfully providing a handgun to a minor, unlawful possession of a large-capacity magazine, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, child abuse, failing to properly secure a firearm and possession of a dangerous weapon. Oscar Aguilar-Rea, 18, faces 14 charges, including attempted first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, attempted first-degree assault, conspiracy to commit first-degree assault, menacing and illegal discharge of a firearm. Guadalupe Lopez, 19, faces 13 charges, including attempted first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, attempted first-degree assault, conspiracy to commit first-degree assault, menacing, first-degree assault, illegal discharge of a firearm and possession of a dangerous weapon. Armando Valdez, 23, faces nine charges, including violating the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act, attempted first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, attempted first-degree assault, conspiracy to commit first-degree assault and menacing. Christian Mayfield, 21, faces five charges, including aggravated robbery, conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery, first-degree assault, conspiracy to commit first-degree assault and menacing. Christopher Smith, 21, faces five charges, including aggravated robbery, conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery, first-degree assault, conspiracy to commit first-degree assault and menacing. Lakeno Conde-Smith, 18, faces eight charges, including violating the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act, attempted first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, attempted first-degree assault, conspiracy to commit first-degree assault, menacing, criminal mischief and reckless endangerment. Tom Cruz-Monfil, 21, faces 11 charges, including violating the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act, aggravated robbery, conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery, first-degree assault, conspiracy to commit first-degree assault, menacing, attempted first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and attempted first-degree assault. Devyn Roman, 22, faces 10 charges, including violating the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act, menacing, first-degree assault, first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, attempted first-degree assault and conspiracy to commit first-degree assault. The juvenile suspects arrested during the investigation include the following. They are not being identified because they are minors. A 16-year-old male who faces 18 charges, including violating the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act, aggravated robbery, conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery, first-degree assault, conspiracy to commit first-degree assault, menacing, attempted first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, attempted first-degree assault, theft and unlawful possession of a handgun by a minor. A 17-year-old male who faces 12 charges, including violating the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act, attempted first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, attempted first-degree assault, conspiracy to commit first-degree assault, menacing, possession of a handgun by a minor, possession of a dangerous weapon, unlawful possession of a large-capacity magazine and unlawfully providing a handgun to a minor. A 17-year-old male who faces 10 charges, including violating the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act, attempted first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, attempted first-degree assault, conspiracy to commit first-degree assault, first-degree assault, illegal discharge of a firearm and possession of a dangerous weapon. A 17-year-old male who faces 10 charges, including attempted first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, attempted first-degree assault, conspiracy to commit first-degree assault, illegal discharge of a firearm, possession of a dangerous weapon and unlawful possession of a large-capacity magazine. The investigation is active and ongoing. Anyone with any additional information about criminal activity involving the above suspects is asked to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867). Tipsters can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000. About the Regional Anti-Violence Enforcement Network The Regional Anti-Violence Enforcement Network, also known as RAVEN, is a regional task force composed of law enforcement partners from the Aurora, Denver, Arvada, Thornton and Lakewood police departments, the Arapahoe County, Adams County, Douglas County and Jefferson County sheriff’s offices, the Adams, Arapahoe, Denver and Douglas district attorney’s offices, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and the Colorado Department of Corrections, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations, Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area and the Colorado U.S. Attorney’s Office.