Accident – Death – Obituary News :
Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Shooting at Sheriff’s Deputy During Pursuit
A 42-year-old man from Aurora has been sentenced to 20 years in the Department of Corrections for shooting at a sheriff’s deputy during a pursuit. Jorge Armando Guzman pleaded guilty to charges of attempted first-degree murder, vehicular eluding, and possession of a weapon by a previous offender.
His co-defendant, 40-year-old Melinda Maldonado, was also sentenced to 10 years for her involvement in the crime, including charges of motor vehicle theft, vehicular eluding, and accessory to a crime.
The incident began when Guzman, who had just been released from the Denver County Jail, was picked up by Maldonado to allegedly steal catalytic converters off cars.
Details of the Crime
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a homeowner in the 9700 block of Millstone Court reporting two individuals attempting to steal car parts. When confronted by the homeowner, the suspects fled in a white SUV.
Later that night, a deputy spotted a matching SUV and attempted a traffic stop. The driver refused to pull over and reached speeds over 100 mph while Guzman, the passenger, fired five shots at the pursuing deputy.
The chase came to an end when the SUV crashed on the northbound Interstate 25 off-ramp for Arapahoe Road. Guzman attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended, while Maldonado was taken into custody at the scene.
Legal Consequences
Both defendants were sentenced for their roles in the crime, with Guzman facing 20 years in the Department of Corrections and five years of mandatory parole upon release. District Attorney John Kellner emphasized that the pair had no connection to the Highlands Ranch area and had come solely to commit crimes.
.