Ex-security guard charged with sexual exploitation

A former Denver Public Schools security guard has been charged with sexual exploitation of a child, the 1st Judicial District attorney’s office announced Wednesday.

Jeffrey James Blanchard, 27, was arrested Dec. 14, and a hearing in the case is scheduled for Jan. 11, according to a news release.

Blanchard allegedly uploaded “child sexual assault materials” to Snapchat on March 10, 2021, according to the DA’s office. The social media platform notified the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children about the content, according to the news release.

The Lakewood Police Department began investigating in March 2022 after Blanchard was identified.

Blanchard, who was employed by Denver Public Schools Campus Safety for three years, was working at John F. Kennedy High School at the time of the incident.

More recently, he worked as a security guard at Hamilton Middle School, according to the news release.

Blanchard also has worked as a security guard at hospitals, including St. Anthony Hospital, according to the news release.

— Jessica Seaman, The Denver Post

Jury convicts man of murder in April shooting

A Denver jury convicted a man of second-degree murder Friday, eight months after he was arrested in connection with a fatal shooting.

Arturo Villalobos, 41, was convicted after four hours of jury deliberation, according to a release from the Denver district attorney.

Villalobos was accused of shooting James Nixon, 41, on April 14 after the two had reportedly argued at Nixon’s home. Nixon died two days after the shooting.

Villalobos was arrested shortly after Nixon’s death. He will be sentenced Feb. 16.

— Seth Klamann, The Denver Post