May 8, 2015 VOLU M E 1 4 | I S SUE 24
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Woman gets prison for man’s drug death Almeda Sullivan, 52, reaches plea agreement Staff report
The second-graders of Cherry Hills Christian School in Highlands Ranch brought books with them to read to their pen pals at Holly Creek, a retirement community in Centennial. Pictured is Holly Creek resident Marie, listening to Alyssa read a story about one of Clifford’s adventures. Photos by Christy Steadman
Closing the generation gap
Highlands Ranch second-graders visit pen pals at retirement community in Centennial By Christy Steadman
csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com
The second-graders from Cherry Hills Christian School in Highlands Ranch performed three songs for their pen pals at Holly Creek. Pictured are the students singing “It’s a Small World (after all).”
Inside the retirement home, about 60 seniors waited in the reception hall. For 45 minutes, they waited. And wondered. “When are they going to be here?” “Highlands Ranch isn’t that far from here.” To pass the time, some rearranged the ice-creamcone-shaped bubble bottles on the table. One man asked for pointers with his digital camera, fretting about how to shoot the best pictures possible. A woman wrote her name on a napkin to reserve her spot at a table. Pen pals continues on Page 9
Deputy shoots robbery suspect at shopping center Arapahoe Sheriff ’s Office investigating incident in Centennial parking lot By Taryn Walker
twalker@colorado communitymedia.com A robbery suspect at a Centennial shopping center was shot by a deputy after striking another deputy with a vehicle, an Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office spokesman said. Bureau Chief Vince Line said the suspect — whose name was not immediately released — received non-life-threatening injuries, as did the deputy who was hit by the automobile in the May 5 incident. At 12:30 a.m., law enforcement responded to reports of an armed man attempting to rob a liquor store at the shopping center in the 5000 block of East Arapahoe Road. When deputies arrived at the shopping center, the suspect was in a vehicle, the Shooting continues on Page 9
A concrete pillar outside of Winston Hill’s Ribs & Stuff was knocked out by the suspect’s vehicle during the overnight incident in Centennial. Photo by Taryn Walker
A Centennial woman tied to four drug-related deaths was sentenced to 18 years in prison. Almeda Beth Sullivan, 52, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the 2011 death of Carter Higdon, 21. Prosecutors say Higdon died of an overdose from a mix of drugs provided by Sullivan, Sullivan including a potent prescription drug called Opana. The 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office said Higdon’s was the fourth death tied to drugs dealt by Sullivan. Three of them occurred within one month in early 2008. On Jan. 11, 2008, Sierra Cochran, 19, came over to Sullivan’s home, where she stayed the night. On Jan. 13, she was found dead of an overdose. On Feb. 10, 2008, Lyndsey Jo Saidy, 28, went to the defendant’s home and purchased prescription drugs. On Feb. 12, she was discovered dead in her Centennial home, two miles away from the defendant’s residence. At around 10 p.m. Feb. 11, 2008, Martynas “Tez” Simanskas, 20, purchased Opana from Sullivan. On Feb. 12, Simanskas was found dead in his Centennial home, one mile away from Sullivan’s home. Higdon died Sept. 30, 2011. Sullivan picked him up at 4:30 p.m. to go to a bar and he spent the night at her home, the district attorney’s office stated in a news release. On Oct. 1, he was found deceased in her home. A straw was found in his pocket with Opana residue and Sullivan’s DNA on it. Sullivan admitted to providing Higdon with prescription drugs in the past, according to the district attorney’s office. There also was evidence that Sullivan would host gatherings in her home and distribute prescription drugs, the DA’s release stated. A witness testified the defendant “hands out pills like candy.” Witnesses also said Sullivan would blame the victims for taking the pills she sold to them. Sullivan was charged in 2011 with first-degree murder with extreme in difference for Higdon’s death. She reached a plea agreement May 1 and was immediately sentenced to 18 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections. “In this case, Almeda Sullivan was held accountable for the murder of Carter Higdon, but too many dealers continue to distribute opioids to our community thinking they can get away with murder,” said District Attorney George Brauchler. Sullivan worked for the Cherry Creek School District from 2003-05 as a bus driver and teacher’s aide.