Tanner Sholes woke up at his friend’s house at 6 a.m. on Sept. 22, 2023, and began walking to his mother’s home across town in Craig, Colorado. He had a BB gun hidden under his shirt that he had used to shoot prairie dogs. However, two people called 911 to report a man carrying a rifle through the small city, causing concern among the authorities.
Sholes, who had a history of encounters with law enforcement, was perceived as violent and unpredictable. Despite only being suspected of violating a protection order that morning, police decided to stop him by running him over with their SUV. The incident left Sholes with severe injuries, including tears in his ACL, meniscus, rotator cuff, and bicep.
In recent years, Craig has experienced an increase in violent police encounters and excessive-force allegations, with three police shootings occurring since 2023. The city has paid out substantial amounts to settle claims of excessive force by the Craig Police Department. Residents have expressed fear of calling 911 due to concerns about police behavior.
Despite the lack of discipline for officers involved in these incidents, including the SUV incident with Sholes, many have been promoted within the departments. This has raised concerns about the presence of “recycled bad cops” in smaller jurisdictions like Craig.
The City Manager and District Attorney of Craig have defended the officers’ actions, stating that they were justified in their use of force. However, residents and individuals who have been injured by police actions have criticized the department’s behavior, labeling them as “evil” and likening them to a gang.
The Post’s investigation into these incidents was compiled from various sources, including lawsuits, police reports, body camera footage, and interviews with those affected. The report sheds light on the often overlooked issue of police misconduct in smaller communities like Craig. When Orona refused to answer questions from the officers, they quickly approached him. Orona exclaimed, “What am I (expletive) doing?” as captured on body-worn camera footage. Despite police reporting that Orona took a “fighting stance” and appeared to be holding something in his hand, video evidence showed he raised his arms and opened his hands with nothing in them. Orona later stated he had no intention of fighting the officers. As he moved to open the trailer, the officers deployed their Tasers, causing Orona to cry out in protest. The use of the Taser led to Orona losing consciousness and experiencing a seizure. He recalled waking up in the hospital with a catheter. Although he was initially charged with resisting arrest and obstruction, the charges were later dropped by the district attorney. The city of Craig eventually settled with Orona for $60,000 in 2020.
Another member of Orona’s family, his uncle Christopher Rothermund, had multiple violent encounters with law enforcement over the years. Rothermund’s confrontational attitude towards the police resulted in numerous arrests for various offenses. In one instance, officers physically assaulted him and used pepper spray during an argument at his house. Despite initiating a criminal investigation, the case was eventually dismissed. Rothermund later reached a settlement with the city. Years later, Rothermund was mistakenly Tasered by an officer looking for a different individual, leading to another settlement with the city. In a tragic turn of events, Rothermund was fatally shot by officers during a confrontation at a restaurant, where he brandished a gun and expressed a desire to die rather than go to jail. Rothermund’s family cited his struggles with mental health issues as contributing factors to his actions. Her parents separated when she was young, and her father worked out of state for a period of time. He later spent time in prison but stayed in touch by sending Britney letters and even a jewelry box made from old newspapers. During her high school years, Britney was frequently pulled over by police on her way to school, with officers always asking about her father. Orlando Rothermund, a former Los Angeles police officer who moved to Craig in 1979, expressed his disappointment in law enforcement, believing they were too trigger-happy and lacked common sense.
Caudell will not face charges.
In an email, Caudell stated that he could not provide any comments on the case due to the ongoing criminal proceedings involving Curtis Jr.
‘Cops are meant to protect people’
According to civil rights attorneys, rural law enforcement agencies often lack the necessary training and resources, leading to constitutional violations.
Raymond Bryant, the attorney representing Orona, mentioned that smaller police departments in less urban settings tend to rely heavily on the use of force.
These attorneys also pointed out that when force is used, officers are rarely held accountable for their actions.
Studies indicate that rural areas have a more conservative political stance and are less focused on implementing police reforms. Additionally, the prevalence of gun ownership among rural residents may contribute to police perceiving increased threats, as noted in a study by the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Another study published in the New York University Law Review highlighted that smaller jurisdictions often lack legal and political accountability structures, which can hinder efforts to address policing issues.
Elizabeth Wang, the attorney representing Tanner Sholes, emphasized that in small rural areas like Craig, police officers may have preconceived notions about suspects, leading to escalated situations.
Wang also mentioned that the use of a vehicle as a weapon by law enforcement, as seen in Sholes’ case, is unprecedented and lacks proper training or policy.
Following the incident, Sholes filed a federal lawsuit against Craig police officers and Moffat County sheriff’s personnel for excessive force and violating his constitutional rights.
Michelle Workman, Sholes’ partner, expressed concerns about the deteriorating relationship between Sholes and the police, noting that every interaction involves multiple officers with weapons drawn.
Sholes has limited his public outings out of fear of law enforcement, affecting his daily activities and causing distress to his children.
Despite the challenges he faces, Sholes remains determined to protect his children and advocate for proper police conduct.
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