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June 27, 2014 Arapahoe County, Colorado | Volume 13, Issue 31 A publication of
centennialcitizen.net
Disgraced ex-sheriff going back to jail Sullivan missed or failed 46 drug tests during probation By Jennifer Smith
jsmith@coloradocommunitymedia.com Former Arapahoe County Sheriff Pat Sullivan entered the courtroom using a cane and left it in handcuffs on June 19, on his way to the detention facility that once bore his name. Arapahoe County District Court Judge William Sylvester sentenced the 71-yearold Sullivan, who appeared gaunt but calm, to 15 months in jail for repeatedly violating the terms of his probation by missing or failing 46 drug tests, leaving the state without permission and continuing to associate with people involved in the case
that got him in trouble in the first place. “Mr. Sullivan does not see the connection between his lifestyle choices and his substance abuse,” said his probation officer, Hallie Miller. “It’s almost as if he doesn’t think the rules applied to him.” The decorated former sheriff was originally arrested Nov. 29, 2011, when a sting operation caught him trying to exchange methamphetamine for sexual acts with a man, law enforcement officials said. He faced one felony count each of distribution of a controlled substance, attempting to influence a public servant and possession of methamphetamine. He also was charged with solicitation of a prostitute, a misdemeanor. If convicted of the charges, he could have faced between one and six years in prison, but in 2012, Sullivan pleaded guilty to Class 6 felony drug possession and a
Class 3 misdemeanor of soliciting prostitution. He was fined $1,100 and sentenced to 38 days in county jail, with credit for eight days served. After his most recent arrest, Sullivan enrolled in a 28-day residential treatment program, which he was about halfway done with on June 19. He told the judge he was enjoying the program and felt better than he had in a long time. “I’m sorry that I did not succeed on probation,” he said. “I have a drug problem, and I have had a drug problem for some time. … I’m learning to deal with the shame and being honest with myself and my family.” Defense attorney Kevin McGreevy argued that Sullivan is succeeding in the Sheriff continues on Page 6
Former Arapahoe County Sheriff Pat Sullivan is shown in court in November 2011. File photo/Associated Press
Incentives approved for project Up to $9.5 million on the table for The Jones District Staff report
An early morning fire June 23 at the Copper Terrace apartment complex, 6550 S. Dayton St., in Centennial sent eight people to the hospital. The cause of the fire was determined to be arson. Photos by Mike DiFerdinando
Arson suspected in apartment fire Residents used sheets, mattresses to escape flames By Mike DiFerdinando
mdiferdinando@ coloradocommunitymedia.com Makeshift ropes of tied-together bed sheets still hung off the balconies of a burned-out Centennial apartment building hours after a fire sent eight people to the hospital. The scene at the Copper Terrace apartments was the aftermath of an arsonist’s work, investigators believe. In the early morning hours of June 23, residents climbed out of their apartments with sheets and mattresses to save themselves from a fire that would eventually claim eight of the 24 units in building G. Ten more units were damaged by smoke and water and six were left without any damage. No one was killed, but one person was seriously injured, authorities said. No further information on victims was being released. At 1:09 a.m. June 23, South Metro Fire Rescue received a call alerting them to the fire at 6550 S. Dayton St. Responders were on the scene in less than five minutes and were greeted by smoke and flames, and
The fire at the Copper Terrace apartments saw eight units fully engulfed by flames and 10 more sustain smoke damage. One person was seriously injured. the southeast section of the building was fully engulfed by the blaze. According to the American Red Cross Disaster Action Team, 14 people and two pets were displaced. A total of 45 people lived in the evacuated building. The apartment clubhouse was used as an evacuation center. The Red Cross,
which met with residents to determine individual needs, provided food, clothing, shoes and other basic needs for the people displaced by the blaze. Residents displaced by the fire who did Arson continues on Page 6
Centennial City Council on June 16 passed a resolution approving a $9.5 million, 25-year tax credit for the developers of The Jones District, unanimously and without discussion. The resolution says the project will bring “benefit of a public nature justifying allocation of financial resources through development incentives.” The project is the brainchild of cable TV and online education magnate Glenn Jones, whose Jones International University is located immediately east of the proposed building site. In the fall of 2013, the city council approved redevelopment and zoning agreements for The Jones District, an ambitious 1.8 million-square-foot, mixed-use project that will be the city’s single-largest commercial development. The tax-incentive package requires the developer to adhere to the development regulations imposed by the city. It will reimburse the cost of construction use taxes specifically for infrastructure that benefits the general public, things like lighting, signs and streets. The length of the contract, 25 years, is intended to accommodate construction anticipated to occur in stages. If the developer defaults, or if nothing ever gets built, the city will not be obligated to make any payments. The 42-acre project, defined in Centennial’s 2011 Land Development Code as an “urban center,” will be built on land Jones owns near East Mineral Avenue and Interstate 25 that is the city’s largest undeveloped parcel of land under single ownership. Plans were submitted to the city in March 2013 for the project, which could
Project continues on Page 6
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