17th Judicial DA

Grand Jury Indicts Parents of Brighton Toddler Who Died of Fentanyl Poisoning on Murder, COCCA Charges


September 22, 2022

Brighton, CO —Today, District Attorney Brian Mason is announcing the Grand Jury indictment of Alonzo Montoya, 31, and Nicole Casias, 31, on First-Degree Murder and Colorado Organized Crime Control Act charges related to alleged conduct between January 1, 2021, and March 31, 2022.  

The defendants' one-year-old daughter died from fentanyl poisoning on January 2, 2022. Montoya and Casias are alleged to have participated in a drug-trafficking enterprise before, during, and after their child's death. 

The Grand Jury investigated and reviewed evidence provided by the North Metro Drug Task Force, the Brighton Police Department, and the District Attorney's Office. The Grand Jury deliberated and issued a True Bill on Thursday, September 8, 2022, and the 17th Judicial District Chief Judge certified
it on Friday, September 9, 2022. The District Attorney’s Office filed the cases in Adams County District Court on Tuesday, September 20, 2022. The new case numbers are 22CR2642 (Montoya) and 22CR2648 (Casias).

The 17th Judicial District Attorney's Office originally charged Montoya and Casias with Child Abuse Resulting in Death (F2) and Distribution of a Controlled Substance--Schedule I or Schedule II (DF3) in Adams County District Court on March 30, 2022, related to their daughter's death. In light of the Grand Jury indictment, the original cases (2022CR986 and 2022CR992) were dismissed. Both defendants are in custody in Adams County. 

Montoya and Casias' new charges are:
  • First-Degree Murder--Victim Under 12--Position of Trust (F1)
  • COCCA--Pattern of Racketeering (F2)
  • COCCA--Conspiracy (F2)
  • Child Abuse Resulting in Death (F2)
  • Child Abuse--Manufacture Controlled Substance (F3) (2 Counts)
  • Child Abuse--Knowingly/Recklessly--No Injury (M2)
The Grand Jury indictment is attached to this release. For details related to the indictment, please refer to the attached document. 

Montoya and Casias Grand Jury Indictment

District Attorney Brian Mason will host a press briefing regarding this indictment. Although DA Mason will be taking questions, please be aware that, due to the open and pending nature of these cases, he will be limited in the information he can divulge at this time. 
 
What: 
Press Briefing 
Regarding Grand Jury Indictment

Who:
District Attorney Brian Mason

When:
Thursday, September 22, 2022, at 2:00pm

Where:
17th Judicial District Attorney's Office
1000 Judicial Center Drive
Brighton, CO, 80601

Media wishing to cover this event are asked to please RSVP to Chris Hopper, Director of Communications, at chopper@da17.state.co.us
 

The filing of a criminal charge is merely a formal accusation that an individual(s) committed a crime(s) under Colorado laws. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. See Colo RPC 3.6.
 
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District Attorney Mason assumed the oath of office on January 12, 2021. The 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office endeavors to seek justice on behalf of the citizens of Adams and Broomfield counties in felony and misdemeanor cases. DA Mason and his staff are dedicated to transforming the criminal justice system to better serve the citizens of the 17th Judicial District.

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