A 42-year-old man, Jorge Armando Guzman, of Aurora, has been sentenced to 20 years in the Department of Corrections for his involvement in a crime that involved shooting at a sheriff’s deputy during a pursuit. His co-defendant, Melinda Maldonado, 40, was also sentenced to 10 years for her part in the incident. Guzman pleaded guilty to charges of attempted first-degree murder, vehicular eluding, and possession of a weapon by a previous offender, while Maldonado pleaded guilty to charges of motor vehicle theft, vehicular eluding, and accessory to a crime.
The incident that led to their arrests began at around 3:45 a.m. on September 5, 2021, when a homeowner in the 9700 block of Millstone Court in Douglas County reported two individuals attempting to steal car parts. The suspects, later identified as Guzman and Maldonado, fled the scene in a white SUV after the homeowner confronted them.
Later that night, a Douglas County deputy spotted a matching SUV and attempted to pull it over. The driver, later identified as Guzman, refused to stop and engaged in a high-speed chase, reaching speeds over 100 mph. During the pursuit, Guzman fired five shots at the deputy.
The chase eventually 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.
Prosecutors highlighted the severity of the incident, emphasizing that the defendants had no connection to the area where the crime occurred and had traveled there specifically to commit crimes. District Attorney John Kellner stated, “Anyone who is willing to shoot at a deputy and drive recklessly in an attempt to escape deserves a sentence in the Department of Corrections.”
In addition to his 20-year sentence, Guzman will also face five years of mandatory parole upon his release. The sentencing serves as a reminder of the consequences of engaging in violent and criminal behavior, particularly towards law enforcement officers..
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