Press Review: Entrepreneur convicted of theft, homicide suspects plead not guilty and more | News

Jonathan Shaheen

Shaheen, a former Tri-Lakes pastor and music teacher who pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child, was sentenced Monday to two years in prison by the Department of Corrections.

Freddy Quintanilla Diaz

Quintanilla Diaz made his first appearance Tuesday in Colorado's 4th Judicial District Court after being arrested for allegedly trying to kill his roommate following a dispute over $50 rent, according to a previous report from The Gazette .

Quintanilla Diaz now faces seven charges for the altercation, including first-degree assault, criminal threats and obstructing a peace officer. Attempted first degree murder is not one of the charges against him.

He will return to court Tuesday for a bail hearing before his July 18 preliminary hearing. Quintanilla Diaz is being held in the El Paso County Jail on $50,000 bail.

Linda Guest and Joseray Arizmendi

Two women accused of kidnapping and repeatedly assaulting a couple for speaking to police were charged Tuesday after making their first court appearance the previous week.

Guest and Arizmendi each face 10 criminal charges, including kidnapping, aggravated witness intimidation, first-degree assault and criminal threats.

They will return to court July 15 for their preliminary hearings. Both remain held in the El Paso County Jail on $25,000 bail.

Erica Johnson

The woman charged with multiple thefts for defrauding people in Colorado Springs through her contracting business accepted a plea deal Wednesday, according to court records. Johnson pleaded guilty to four counts of theft and received a four-year suspended prison sentence.

Johnson had eight open theft cases, all of which involved stealing money from a client on contracts she did not complete or never started at all, and which were dismissed through the plea deal.

Additionally, Johnson owes more than $350,000 in restitution, according to court records.

Brian Yi

One of two brothers arrested for selling fentanyl and weapons out of their Colorado Springs liquor store in 2022 accepted a plea deal Wednesday, court records show. Yi pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of controlled substances and will return to court on September 4 for his sentencing hearing.

Brian Yi's brother, Steve Yi, already accepted a plea deal and was sentenced to 13 years in the Department of Corrections prison in May, according to a previous Gazette report.

Nelson Boyer

The motorcyclist accused of trying to kill someone during a road rage incident near Interstate 25 last month made his first court appearance Wednesday. Boyer faces five road rage-related shooting charges, including attempted first-degree murder, first-degree assault and unlawful discharge of a firearm.

Boyer's preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 19 and he remains in custody at the El Paso County Jail on $250,000 bail.

Donnell Chess

Chess pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and other charges Thursday, earning a 50-year prison sentence in the Department of Corrections.

Alejandro Balderas-Avilez

After having his first appearance canceled on June 20, Balderas-Avilez did not appear in court Thursday for his newly scheduled first appearance, according to court records. Balderas-Avilez was released June 13, the day of his arrest, after posting $1,000 cash bail.

He is accused of killing Dolores Holler, 84, in a hit-and-run in December. He faces two charges in connection with Holler's murder: leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death and reckless driving resulting in death.

A show cause hearing is scheduled for July 27, during which Balderas-Avilez will have the opportunity to explain why he failed to appear in court.

Ruben Segovia Sr. and Ruben Segovia Jr.

The father and son accused of shooting a 9-year-old child at a Colorado Springs apartment complex in January have both pleaded not guilty to all 15 charges they face in the incident. The charges include multiple counts of attempted first-degree murder, first-degree assault and unlawful discharge of a firearm.

Segovia Sr. and Segovia Jr. are both due back in court on July 19 for a motion hearing, and Dec. 2 is scheduled to be the first day of the couple's trial. Both remain in custody at the El Paso County Jail on $150,000 bail.