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Southeast Colorado Part of State-Wide Drug Trafficking Operations
Description: The Following Article Includes Excerpts from Court Documents Obtained via the Colorado Attorney General’s Office...
Southeast Colorado Part of State-Wide Drug Trafficking Operations
Two Indicted in Multi-County Drug Trafficking Operation Spanning Colorado
Chelsea Hall-Chavira and Juan Mendoza face multiple felony charges, including possession and conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and heroin.
The indictments detail incidents involving significant quantities of controlled substances, intercepted communications, and coordinated surveillance operations between February and October 2024.
Attorney General Phil Weiser emphasized the ongoing efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks and protect Colorado communities.
INDEX OF DEFENDANTS
Defendant: Chelsea HALL-CHAVIRA
Counts: 1-7
Defendant: Juan MENDOZA
Counts: 4-5
COUNT 1
Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance - Fentanyl - over 50 grams, C.R.S. §18-18-405(1),(2)(a)(1)(D), (DF1) 87123
On or about February 27, 2024, in the State of Colorado, Chelsea HALL-CHAVIRA, unlawfully, feloniously, and knowingly possessed with intent to sell or distribute fentanyl, a controlled substance.
Further, the violation involved a material compound, mixture or preparation that weighed more than fifty grams, in violation of section 18-18-405(1),(2)(a)(I)(D), C.R.S.
COUNT 2
Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance Methamphetamine-7-112 grams, C.R.S. 18-18-405(1),(2)(b)(1)(B), (DF2) 8104A
On or about February 27, 2024, in the State of Colorado, Chelsea HALL-CHAVIRA, unlawfully, feloniously, and knowingly possessed with intent to sell or distribute methamphetamine, a controlled substance.
Further, the violation involved a material compound, mixture or preparation that weighed more than seven but not more than one hundred and twelve grams; in violation of section 18-18- 405(1),(2)(b)(I)(B), C.R.S.
The offenses in counts 1-2 were committed in the following manner:
On February 27, 2024, investigators initiated a traffic stop in Trinidad, Colorado, on a Lincoln Town Car that was being driven by Chelsea Hall-Chavira. After a positive K-9 alert, investigators searched the vehicle and located approximately 10.98 kilograms of counterfeit M/30 pills containing fentanyl and 33 grams of methamphetamine. On scene, Hall-Chavira took ownership of the narcotics in the vehicle and stated she was taking them to Denver.
The next day, Hall-Chavira participated in a voluntary interview with investigators at the DEA Colorado Springs Resident Office, and she stated she started transporting illegal drugs around 10 years ago and that she sells the narcotics locally in Lamar, Colorado, were she was living during this investigation.
COUNT 3
Possession with Intent to Distribute - Methamphetamine - over 112 grams, C.R.S. §18-18- 405(1),(2)(a)(1)(B), (DF1) 8104B
On or about April 18, 2024, in the State of Colorado, Chelsea HALL-CHAVIRA, unlawfully, feloniously, and knowingly possessed with intent to sell or distribute methamphetamine, a controlled substance.
Further the violation involved a material compound mixture or preparation that weighed more than one hundred and twelve grams; in violation of section §18-18-405(1),(2)(a)(1)(B), C.R.S.
The offense in count 3 was committed in the following manner:
On April 18, 2024, investigators observed, through GPS surveillance, that Hall-Chavira's vehicle was located in Denver, Colorado. Investigators initiated surveillance in the area of the 1400 Block of Tennyson Street, Denver, Colorado and observed Chelsea Hall-Chavira leave the residence carrying several bags. She got into her green Lincoln Town Car and travelled southbound.
Officers initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle driven by Chelsea Hall-Chavira in Colorado Springs, Colorado. During the traffic stop, officers located approximately 494.2 grams of methamphetamine inside the trunk of the vehicle.
COUNT 4
Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance - Heroin - 7-112 grams, C.R.S. §18-18- 405(1),(2)(b)(1)(B), (DF2) 8105N
On or about and between August 26, 2024, and August 27, 2024, in the State of Colorado, Chelsea HALL-CHAVIRA and Juan MENDOZA, unlawfully, feloniously, and knowingly conspired with each other and others, both known and unknown to the Grand Jury, to sell or distribute heroin, a controlled substance.
Further, the violation involved a material compound, mixture or preparation that weighed more than seven but not more than one hundred and twelve grams; in violation of section 18-18- 405(1),(2)(b)(1)(B), C.R.S.
COUNT 5
Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance - Methamphetamine - 7-112 grams, C.R.S. §18-18-405(1),(2)(b)(1)(B), (DF2) 8105N
On or about and between August 26, 2024, and August 27, 2024, in the State of Colorado, Chelsea HALL-CHAVIRA and Juan MENDOZA, unlawfully, feloniously, and knowingly conspired with each other and others, both known and unknown to the Grand Jury, to sell or distribute methamphetmaine, a controlled substance.
Further, the violation involved a material compound, mixture or preparation that weighed more than seven but not more than one hundred and twelve grams; in violation of section 18-18- 405(1),(2)(b)(1)(B), C.R.S.
The offenses in counts 4-5 were committed in the following manner:
On August 26, 2024, Hall-Chavria was intercepted speaking to Juan Mendoza about traveling to Pueblo, Colorado to acquire methamphetaqmine and heroin. During this intercepted call, Hall- Chavira's phone was pinging in Lamar, Colorado. Hall-Chavira was later surveilled traveling from Lamar, Colorado to Pueblo but she did not meet with Mendoza that day. On August 27, 2024, investigators observed Hall-Charvia meet twice with Mendoza.
The first meeting occurred in the 600 Block of Gary Avenue, Pueblo, Colorado. Following the first meeting, Hall-Chavira was intercepted speaking to Mendoza at approximately 10:38 pm. Hall-Chavira discussed needing to acquire more money and needing to get "water," code for methamphetamine.
Hall-Chavira travelled to an ATM and investigators later observed her meet with Mendoza again in the 100 Block of Baxter Road, Pueblo, Colorado. Based on the content of the intercepted communications and training and expeirence, investigators believe the deal was for 3 ounces of herion and 3 ounces of methamphetamine.
COUNT 6
Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance – Fentanyl - 4-50 grams, 18-18- 405(1),(2)(b)(1)(D), (DF2) 87134
On or about September 11, 2024, in the State of Colorado, Chelsea HALL-CHAVIRA and others known and unknown to the Grand Jury, unlawfully, feloniously, and knowingly conspired with each other and others, both known and unknown to the Grand Jury, to sell or distribute fentanyl, a controlled substance.
Further, the violation involved a material compound, mixture or preparation that weighed more than four grams, but not more than fifty grams, in violation of section 18-18-405(1),(2)(b)(I)(D), C.R.S.
The offense in count 6 was committed in the following manner:
On September 11, 2024, Hall-Chavira was intercepted communicating with John Nunnery regarding the distribution of between 260-400 pills containing fentanyl (approximately 26 - 40 grams). On that day, John Nunnery contacted Hall-Chavira and the two talk about the quality and price of the narcotics. Nunnery also inquired if the price included delivery.
Hall-Chavira agreed to meet Nunnery in Dumont, Colorado. Investigators on surveillance followed Hall- Chavira to 1000 Block of County Road, Dumont, Colorado and observed a vehicle registered to Nunnery's mother park next to Hall-Chavira's vehicle. Hall-Chavira entered Nunnery's vehicle. After both parties departed, Hall-Chavira texted “erase messages."
COUNT 7
Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance - Heroin - 7-112 grams, C.R.S. §18-18- 405(1),(2)(b)(1)(B), (DF2) 8105N
On or about October 7, 2024, in the State of Colorado, Chelsea HALL-CHAVIRA, and others known and unknown to the Grand Jury, unlawfully, feloniously, and knowingly conspired with each other and others, both known and unknown to the Grand Jury, to sell or distribute heroin, a controlled substance.
Further, the violation involved a material compound, mixture or preparation that weighed more than seven but not more than one hundred and twelve grams; in violation of section 18-18- 405(1),(2)(b)(1)(B), C.R.S.
The offense in count 7 was committed in the following manner:
On the morning of October 7, 2024, Joshua Hyatt was intercepted discussing with Chelsea Hall- Chavira that a customer named Charles Nunnery had ordered narcotics. Hyatt informed Hall- Chavira that he had 1 for Nunnery, meaning 1 ounce or approximately 28 grams of heroin. Hyatt and Hall-Chavira discussed selling the ounce of heroin to Nunnery. Later that day, Nunnery called Hyatt and discussed meeting at exit 108 off of I-25 north of Pueblo, Colorado.
Investigators observed Hyatt meet with Charles Nunnery to complete the transaction. After this transaction took place, Hyatt called Hall-Chavira to inform that Nunnery did not have the full amount of money for the transaction, but that Nunnery would later pay the remaining balance for the ounce of heroin. During this intercepted call, Hall-Chavira's phone was pinging in Lamar, Colorado.
PHILIP J. WEISER, ATTORNEY GENERAL STATE OF COLORADO
*All Parties Considered Innocent Until Proven Guilty in a Court of Law.
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