Half of Colorado Sheriff’s Office Indicted in Mishandling of Human Remains, Use-of-Force Case

COSTILLA COUNTY, CO (BuzzReport) — A sweeping indictment has shaken a small southern Colorado law enforcement agency, where nearly half of the sheriff’s office staff now faces criminal charges tied to the mishandling of human remains and an alleged excessive force incident.

According to the district attorney’s office, Costilla County Sheriff Danny Sanchez and former Deputy Keith Schultz have each been indicted on four counts of official misconduct and one count of abuse of a corpse. The charges stem from their handling of unidentified human remains discovered within the county.

Investigators allege the remains were improperly collected and stored, raising serious concerns about evidence handling and professional standards. An affidavit reveals that the remains were placed in a paper grocery bag and left in an unsecured location. Authorities say some of the remains — including teeth — were later unaccounted for.

Further compounding the issue, officials say it took two months for Schultz to file a formal report. In that report, Schultz allegedly admitted to leaving bones in a bag on his desk before responding to another call. A coroner’s official later told the Associated Press that the skull was turned over in an unlabeled paper bag, adding to concerns about the chain of custody and respect for the deceased.

The indictment also extends beyond the mishandling of remains. Undersheriff Cruz Soto faces two counts of failure to intervene and one count of third-degree assault in connection with an incident involving the alleged unlawful use of force against a man experiencing a mental health crisis.

Additionally, Sheriff Sanchez’s son, Sergeant Caleb Sanchez, has been charged with second- and third-degree assault related to the same encounter.

The scope of the indictments is particularly significant given the size of the department. According to the Associated Press, the Costilla County Sheriff’s Office employs just seven law enforcement officials — meaning four members of the agency are now facing criminal charges.

The case has raised broader questions about oversight, accountability, and training within small rural law enforcement agencies, as the judicial process moves forward.