Investigations
About the Investigations section
The Criminal Investigations Section is a specialized group of deputies that investigate felony crimes committed in unincorporated Mesa County and file those cases with the Mesa County District Attorney's Office.
MCSO Investigators have a combined 200+ years of law enforcement experience. The Criminal Investigations section averages investigations of more than 650 cases a year.
The Investigations Section is divided into two areas:
- Property Crimes Unit
- Complex Crimes Unit
Property Crimes Unit (PCU)
PCU investigates several different felony crimes:
- Auto theft
- Burglary
- Fraud/Forgery
- Identity theft
- Robbery
- Theft and financial crimes involving at-risk adults
These Investigators are also a part of the grant-funded BATTLE WEST Auto Theft Task Force and partner with other investigators from Western Colorado to combat auto theft.
Complex Crimes Unit (CCU)
CCU investigates several different crimes:
- All death investigations
- Child abuse
- Homicide
- Internet crimes against children
- Missing persons/runaways
- Sexual assault
Two CCU Investigators focus on internet crimes and computer forensics. Many of the investigations in CCU and PCU utilize computer forensics to help solve crimes.
Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT)
MCSO Investigators are also on the 21st Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT).
The CIRT is comprised of investigators and detectives from all Mesa County law enforcement agencies, the District Attorney’s Office, Colorado State Patrol, the local Department of Corrections Parole unit, and a representative from the Colorado Bureau of Investigations.
These agencies value the highest standards in assuring conflict and bias-free investigations of critical incidents and officer-involved shootings.
Critical Incident Response Team - Memorandum of Understanding 2023
Notable cases
The MCSO Investigation team has worked on several cases that have gained national attention.
- 2001: Jennifer Blagg murder investigation
- 2006/2008: Shane Johnson
- 2007: Paige Birgfeld murder investigation
- 2008: Alan Helmick murder investigation
Contact information
Do you need to report a crime?
Call non-emergency dispatch: 970-242-6707 or 911
Investigation contacts
Investigations Lieutenant
Mark Johnson
Phone: 970-244-3251
Email: Mark.Johnson@mesacounty.us
Complex Crimes Sergeant
Travis Christensen
- Phone: 970-244-3280
- Email: Travis.Christensen@mesacounty.us
Property Crimes Sergeant
Ross Young
Phone: 970-244-3356
Email: Ross.Young@mesacounty.us