Colorado’s judicial system has been marred by corruption after a former judge was sentenced to a year and one day in prison for obstructing a federal investigation of a large-scale cocaine trafficking organization.
Ryan Kamada, 42, of Windsor, Colorado, pleaded guilty on June 30, 2020, to disclosing details of the investigation to his friend, who then tipped off the target individual. Kamada had known the drug trafficker since high school and abused the power of his judicial position to help his friend avoid possible criminal exposure.
“By leaking the existence of a search warrant to help his close friend avoid possible criminal exposure, Ryan Kamada abused the power of his judicial position and violated the trust that the people of Colorado placed in him,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.
The investigation began in October 2018 and involved a federal task force looking into a drug trafficking organization that was distributing large quantities of cocaine throughout northern Colorado. Kamada’s actions substantially interfered with the task force’s investigation and caused the target individual to change his pattern of conduct.
Geoffrey Chacon, Kamada’s best friend, also pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of destruction of records with the intent to obstruct a federal investigation. Chacon destroyed records of his communications with the drug trafficker to impair efforts by law enforcement to tie him to the drug trafficker.
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite Jr., Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Kirsch, and Special Agent in Charge Michael H. Schneider made the announcement. The FBI’s Denver Field Office investigated the case, with assistance from the Greeley Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Kamada served as a District Court Judge of the 19th Judicial District of Colorado from January 2019 until his sentencing. His breach of public trust has been met with severe consequences, highlighting the commitment of law enforcement to root out corruption in public office.
Related Federal Cases
- Montravis Luke, Cocaine Conspiracy, Albany GA, 2014 · Texas
- Colorado Co. Pleads Guilty to Trade Secret Thefts in Texas · Texas
- Colorado Man Gets 7 Years for Verizon Heist · Colorado
- Colorado CEO Pleads Guilty to Fraudulent Claim Against U.S. · Washington
- Dallas Trafficker Gets 20 Years for Exploiting Disabled Teen · Texas
Key Facts
- State: Colorado
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News