April 8, 2022 – From Center Police Chief Dale Meek:
We have been very busy over the last two days with three search warrants and a multitude of charges on one person, Jonethan Lopez.
Officers were informed of a missing female who had been abducted and beaten, yesterday, April 7th, during the afternoon. Officers began searching all the known hang outs, friends and family of the woman. The assailant, Jonethan Lopez, is known to stay at an abandoned trailer that is in disrepair on Washington Street. Officers found the door to the trailer open and made entry for a welfare check on the female. Clothing items of the victim were found but not the victim…However, suspected narcotics were located in two separate rooms. The trailer was secured and a search warrant was obtained.
It was discovered that Jonethan just had a warrant issued on the 7th for missing court on multiple domestic violence related felonies while executing the first search warrant. Jonethan’s grandmother lives on the other side of the fence from the trailer so officers went to that location to look for the victim and him. Jonethan came out of an RV parked in the yard as officers were at the grandmothers. Jonethan was immediately placed under arrest. During his arrest he resisted, this was because of almost 20 grams of heroin and methamphetamines Jonethan had hidden on his person, under his scrotum, near his butt. Jonethan fought to keep the drugs from being seized.
The victim was not found that evening. Other SLV agencies were notified to watch for her. The next morning, the victim was located and made a disturbing report. She had been kidnapped, strangled, raped and beaten. The victim was transported to the hospital.
Subsequent search warrants for the original trailer, the grandmother’s house and the RV were written to look for evidence of the sexual assault and for further drug activity. Evidence supporting the crimes was located.
Jonethan has had multiple charges over the last few months. He was arrested for Harassment of his ex-wife. He was subsequently arrested for a warrant for harassment, possessing a felony amount of narcotics, assault on a police officer and resisting arrest. After being released, Jonethan stabbed his girlfriend in the face and attempted to run from officers who had a warrant for his arrest for those previous offenses. Jonethan was released again and information came from several sources that he was selling drugs again. An ongoing investigation was being run on his narcotics sales when this incident occurred. Jonethan’s charges from last night and today are:
Last night: Warrant for Harassment, Stalking, intimidating a victim (all Domestic Violence related) Felony Possession of Controlled Substance (heroin) 5.63 grams Felony Possession of Controlled Substance (meth) 10.34 grams Violation of a Protection Order Resisting Arrest
This Morning: Attempted Murder Assault 1st degree Kidnapping 1st degree Sexual Assault
I appreciate the extra hours of work and dedication of our officers in working this complex case. Additionally, the Saguache County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its close working relationship with the Center Police Department with dedicated support in critical cases.