Littleton independent 0801

Page 1

Littleton 8.1.13

August 1, 2013

Arapahoe County, Colorado • Volume 125, Issue 2

75 cents

A Colorado Community Media Publication

ourlittletonnews.com

Officer released on bond

PULLING AHEAD

Johnston ordered to stay away from guns, drugs By Jennifer Smith

jsmith@ourcoloradonews.com

to our community,” said Susan Thornton, an LI3 founder. Mayor Pro Tem Bruce Stahlman noted that everyone in the room, not just the honorees, originated from elsewhere. “They’ve all added their distinct cultures

Littleton Police Officer Jeffery Johnston, who is facing serious drug charges, was released from federal custody on his promise to return to court. Johnston, 46, appeared in federal court in Denver July 25 wearing handcuffs and green prison attire. Next to him was his new attorney, Pamela Mackey, who defended Kobe Bryant against sexual-assault charges. She also represented hockey player Patrick Roy in a domestic-violence case, and convicted sex offender Vincent Margera, aka Don Vito of “Jackass” fame. Johnston waived his right to a preliminary hearing, and federal prosecutors withdrew their motion to keep him detained while the case makes its way through court. Johnston signed a $100,000 unsecured bond, which he only has to pay should he fail to make any scheduled court appearances. Johnston U.S. Magistrate Kristen L. Mix also ordered him to home detention and GPS monitoring. His house had no landline, so it couldn’t accommodate the GPS until phone service was installed, but Mix said Johnston could return home in the meantime. She told him to stay away from guns and drugs, and to undergo mental-health and substance-abuse evaluations and get treatment should it be deemed appropriate. He must give up his passport, have no contact with potential victims or witnesses in his case and report any contact with law enforcement. Mix also ordered him to keep or seek employment. LPD Cmdr. Trent Cooper said Johnston remains on unpaid administrative leave and has no police powers at this time. The 22-year Littleton Police veteran was arrested by the FBI at his Parker home on July 19 after he allegedly paid an informant $1,300 for 37 ecstasy pills and six grams of the drug in powder form. Authorities say a search of Johnston’s home produced a Colt Officers Model .45-caliber pistol loaded with seven rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber; substances suspected of being cocaine, steroids and hundreds of prescription pills; additional firearms; hundreds of rounds of ammunition; empty pill pouches; a drug test kit; and a scale. Johnston faces one count of possession of ecstasy with intent to distribute, which carries a penalty of not more than 20 years in federal prison and a fine of not more than $1 million; one count of maintaining

Ceremony continues on Page 10

Johnston continues on Page 10

Kelly Byrd, of Englewood, shows off her skill behind the wheel of her antique Case DC-4 tractor. The vintage tractor-pull competition, held July 27 at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds, attracted a variety of iron monsters, some dating back to the early 1930s. For more photos from the county fair, turn to Page 24. Photo by Deborah Grigsby

New citizens swear ‘faith and allegiance’ Littleton Center hosts naturalization ceremony By Jennifer Smith

jsmith@ourcoloradonews.com Native Englishman Jack Durston welcomed fresh Prince George Alexander Louis to the world on July 22, then promptly renounced his allegiance to him three days later. “I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen,” he said along with 37 other newly minted Americans July 25 during their naturalization ceremony at the Littleton Center. Durston came to America in 1985, sponsored by his stepmother. Times had been rough in his touristy, seaside hometown of Folkestone, and jobs were scarce. “I was so young, and there was so much turmoil,” he said. He became a drive-train mechanic in California, where he met his wife, Holly. She and her native land of Littleton convinced Durston he was here to stay. The city has gained national attention for the Littleton Immigrant Resource Center, housed at Bemis Library and supported by the Littleton Immigration Integration Initiative. U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet has POSTAL ADDRESS

Thirty-eight people became new Americans at the Littleton Center July 25. Photo by Jennifer Smith touted its work with the “Gang of Eight” on immigration policy, and in April it won a $145,000 grant from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services — which just lured away Alejandra Harguth, LIRC’s longtime director. “Weve taken really a national lead in welcoming people from around the world

LITTLETON INDEPENDENT (ISSN 1058-7837) (USPS 315-780) OFFICE: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Englewood, Colorado, the Littleton Independent is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO AND ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 DEADLINES: Display advertising: Thurs. 11 a.m. Legal advertising: Thurs. 11 a.m. Classified advertising: Mon. 12 p.m.

GET SOCIAL WITH US The Littleton Independent wants to share the news. Check out and like our page on facebook. Search for Littleton Independent.

Printed on recycled newsprint. Please recycle this copy.


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.
Littleton independent 0801 by Colorado Community Media - Issuu