Federal Prosecutors Level Charges Against Funeral Home Owners
Federal prosecutors have leveled serious accusations against the operators of a Colorado funeral home. Jon and Carie Hallford, owners of the establishment, are facing federal charges for their suspected involvement in COVID-19 relief loan fraud. They reportedly mishandled the remains of nearly two hundred individuals.
The Allegations and the Misused Funds
It is alleged that the Hallfords obtained over $880,000 in pandemic relief loans fraudulently. Authorities claim they diverted these funds meant for business support during the pandemic for personal luxuries. Expenses such as vacations, a vehicle, dining, tuition, cryptocurrency investments, cosmetic procedures, jewelry, and various purchases from Amazon are outlined in the indictment.
Charges and Upcoming Court Proceedings
Jon and Carie Hallford each face two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and 13 counts of wire fraud. According to recent court documents, their arraignment is set for Thursday. Carie's legal representative has refrained from commenting on the matter. Meanwhile, the Colorado Public Defender's Office seeks Jon Hallford's stance.
What Happened at Return to Nature Funeral Home?
Further scrutiny arose for the Hallfords following last October's grim discovery at their Return to Nature Funeral Home in Penrose. Authorities found a total of 190 sets of human remains, all stored improperly. Their business advocated for environmentally friendly burial practices, offering 'green burials' in biodegradable containers or sometimes none. The state-level arraignments for these charges are decided on June 6.
Concerning Developments in Handling the Remains
Fremont County officials were first alerted to the situation upon receiving reports of foul odors emitting from the funeral home building. Following their apprehension in November by the Colorado Bureau of Investigations, the Halfords were accused of multiple counts of abuse of a corpse, along with counts of theft, money laundering, and forgery. No pleas have been registered with them on these accusations yet.
How Were Customers Defrauded?
Prosecutors allege a continuous pattern of deceit by the Hallfords from September 2019 through October 2023. During this period, they purportedly failed to perform cremations or burials for which they had been charged, deceiving customers of over $130,000. Despite accepting payment, the services were not provided. The indictment reveals attempts to cover their actions. They allegedly barred entry to the building, obstructed windows, and deceived inquirers about the disturbing odors and activities within the premises.
If found guilty of the federal charges, the couple could face up to 20 years of incarceration and fines of $250,000 each. Their actions have led to these stringent legal repercussions looming over them.
What Is the Status of the Funeral Home Now?
The aftermath of these charges has also led to the involvement of federal environmental authorities. The United States Environmental Protection Agency recently declared that the funeral home is slated for demolition. The demolition process, set to commence on Tuesday, is a step to remove the hazardous biological and medical materials discovered at the site. The entire cleanup operation falls under the watchful eye of EPA Emergency Response teams and their hazardous materials contractors.
In striving to report this unfolding story accurately, it must be noted that an earlier misstatement regarding the date of the Hallfords' federal court appearance has been corrected. The couple will appear on Thursday for the federal charges, with the state charges court date and some time off scheduled in June.
