By: Elyce West
In the last year, there have been seven arrests made in Mesa County. One of these arrests was for 16 counts of sexual assault on a child, along with an extra charge. Another arrest was made for distribution, manufacturing, and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and three other charges were filed. There were also several other arrests made during this time. This is the Crime watch link to go and see more crimes that have been happening.
On September 8, 2023, the Mesa County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of a burglary at a residence in Clifton. Upon arrival, they found that it was an attempted homicide. The victim, a 59-year-old woman, suffered significant cuts to her neck and was taken to the hospital. The suspect, Danny Kelley, 63, was arrested and is being held in custody. The parties involved knew each other, and there is no immediate danger to the public. The investigation is ongoing.
Tracey Burke (A teacher at the Fruita 8/9) has a very big opinion on what she thinks about the crimes in mesa county. Tracey Burke states, “Incidents of car break-ins and vandalism have risen, causing parents to be more apprehensive about safety while going out.” Cases in Mesa County have gone up a lot in the past year.
On March 28, 2024, Mesa County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a possible shooting on I-70 near Mile Marker 50. A victim reported a road rage incident where the suspect fired multiple shots at their car. The suspect, Christopher Ryan, was located and detained at Golden Gate Gas Station in Palisade. A handgun matching the witness's description was found in Ryan's vehicle. He was taken to Mesa County Detention facility. Fortunately, no injuries or damage to any vehicles resulted from the incident.
Payton Molloy, an 8th grader at Fruita 8/9, expressed her concern by stating, "After learning about a man who has been charged with 16 counts of sexual assault on a child and 2 counts of child abuse, I don't feel safe anymore. It's crucial to be cautious about who you speak to."
In today's world, where everyone is connected and communication is easy, it is vital to be vigilant about the individuals you engage with. It is because you can never be entirely sure about their actual intentions or even their true identity. Therefore, it is essential to exercise caution and be mindful of the people you associate with, both online and offline.This is why it is crucial to be cautious about the people you interact with because you may not know their true identity.
A picture of a downtown neighbourhood in Clifton. Picture courtesy of Wikipedia
Mugshot of suspect, Danny Kelley, accused of burglary in Clifton.