The Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office responded to an allegation in early 2025 of illegal drug trafficking that had made its way into our detention facility. An investigation immediately began led by Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office Corporal, and Jail Investigator, Cody Lemley. The allegation alleged that an inmate had snuck in hundreds of fentanyl pills, in a condom, into the facility. The allegation also alleged that the pills were being passed from inmate to inmate by trustees.

After a lengthy investigation, five inmates were arrested for their roles in the operation. All five have now plead their cases out in court, the last one being today, 09-17-25. Arrested in the investigation was as follows:

Steven Cole, aged 34 from Salida, was charged with 2nd Degree Introduction of Contraband, a class 6 Felony. Cole plead guilty to Unlawful Use of a Controlled Substance, a class 2 Drug Misdemeanor, sentenced on 05-13-25, and was given credit for time already served, 42 days.

Christopher Phelps, aged 38 from Salida, was charged with 2nd Degree Introduction of Contraband, a class 6 Felony. Phelps plead guilty to Unlawful Use of a Controlled Substance, a class 2 Drug Misdemeanor, sentenced on 06-18-25, and was given credit for time already served, 36 days.

Tony Veatch, aged 45 from Salida, was charged with 2nd Degree Introduction of Contraband, a class 6 Felony. This charge was ultimately combined with another open case that he had and he was sentenced on 09-03-25 to two years in Community Corrections.

Kristen Scanga, aged 26 from Salida, was charged with 2nd Degree Introduction of Contraband, a class 6 Felony. Scanga plead guilty to Possession of Contraband, a class 6 Felony, and was sentenced on 08-20-25 to 2 years of probation.

Matthew Hunter, aged 38 from Salida, was charged with 2nd Degree Introduction of Contraband, a class 6 Felony. Hunter plead guilty to Possession of Contraband, a class 6 Felony, and was sentenced on 09-17-25 to 1 year of probation.

“We work hard to keep this garbage out of our jail. Unfortunately, our jail is occasionally used as a place to rehabilitate an addict, so we must do our best to keep drugs from getting in. I am

proud of Corporal Lemley and his support team for all the effort and hard work they put into this investigation.” – Sheriff Andy Rohrich