Small-Town Police Chief in Colorado Faces Scandal Amidst Family Rape Charges
A Colorado police chief, Jeff Wood, finds himself at the center of a burgeoning scandal as his teenage stepson, Nate Dieffenderffer, faces charges of violently raping a girl within the family’s home.
Adding to the controversy, a local newspaper, the Ouray County Plaindealer, which reported on the allegations, was targeted with the theft of nearly every copy from racks around the county.
Local Newspaper, Ouray County Plaindealer, Subjected to Theft After Reporting on Rape Charges
The Ouray County Plaindealer broke the story of the arrest of Chief Jeff Wood’s stepson and two co-defendants, Gabriel Trujillo and Ashton Whittington.
The teens were arrested on warrants for suspected felony sexual assault, related to the violent rape of a 17-year-old girl in Wood’s home, where the police chief and family members were asleep.
Attempt to Silence Media: Newspaper Stolen After Graphic Sexual Assault Allegations Surface
Following the publication of a cover story detailing the graphic sexual assault allegations, the Ouray County Plaindealer faced an attempt to suppress its reporting.
Co-publisher Mike Wiggins revealed that copies of the newspaper were stolen, stating their determination to continue investigative journalism despite the act of censorship.
Graphic Details Unveiled: Rape Allegations Stemming from May 2023 Incident
The Plaindealer’s report, authored by co-publisher Erin McIntyre, uncovered disturbing details from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation affidavit.
The 17-year-old victim recounted being violently raped multiple times in Wood’s home on May 14, 2023, with the assault involving two different perpetrators.
Investigation and DNA Evidence: Legal Developments Unfold in Rape Case
Law enforcement investigations into the incident included DNA evidence, with Trujillo’s DNA matching a vaginal swab and Dieffenderffer’s genetic material linked to a bite mark.
While the accused claim a consensual relationship, the victim’s harrowing account has led to their arrest. All three are currently out on bail.
Community Response and Newspaper’s Commitment to Journalism
In the wake of the scandal, Ouray County’s tight-knit community faces shock and turmoil.
Despite the attempt to suppress information, the husband-and-wife duo behind the Plaindealer, Wiggins and McIntyre, have vowed to persist in covering the case.
They encourage support for local journalism through a Report for America campaign.
Challenges for Police Chief: Jeff Wood Yet to Respond to Questions
As the scandal unfolds, Police Chief Jeff Wood has not yet responded to inquiries from DailyMail.com.
The circumstances surrounding the alleged rape, the subsequent arrests, and the suppression attempt against media coverage have thrust the small Colorado community into the spotlight.