ICE deports Steamboat man after arrest for firing gun in Dream Island mobile home park
A man detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after allegedly firing a gun in the Dream Island mobile home park in January has been deported, according to Deputy District Attorney Joseph Bucci.
Darwin Mejia-Cruz, 27, was arrested Jan. 18 and charged with reckless endangerment and prohibited use of a weapon, according to the arrest affidavit. He was released from Routt County Jail after posting bond a week later and then was detained by ICE.
According to the affidavit, three men were standing outside of a vehicle near a unit in the mobile home park around 1 a.m. Jan. 18, and Mejia-Cruz was waving a pistol in the air. He then allegedly shot the firearm nine times.
Mejia-Cruz last appeared virtually in Routt County Court Jan. 28 from the Denver Contract Detention Facility in Aurora.
Mejia-Cruz is a citizen of Honduras, according to an agent assigned to the Denver Contract Detention Facility.
Since 2015, Mejia-Cruz was arrested six more times and faced charges such as prohibited use of a weapon, theft, DUIs and other traffic offenses. All of his Colorado arrests were made in Routt and Moffat counties, the documents showed.
During his Jan. 28 appearance, Mejia-Cruz stated that ICE “took” all his money and that he had no way of communicating with anyone, including the public defender’s office or family members.
His next court appearance had been scheduled for Wednesday but was pushed to Thursday morning after he did not appear virtually from the detention facility in Aurora, despite the Routt County Court’s request for his virtual appearance.
During Thursday morning’s scheduled appearance, Bucci stated that Mejia-Cruz was “removed by federal authorities” before the court date.
Public Defender Randy Salky requested that the court dismiss the case because Mejia-Cruz is no longer in the country. However, Routt County Judge Erin Wilson denied the request.
Wilson then issued a warrant for arrest and a $750 bond in the case due to Mejia-Cruz’s failure to appear in court.
If Mejia-Cruz ever re-enters the country and is detained by law enforcement, the warrant and his case will continue in Routt County Court.
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