La Veta men face charges in alleged hate crime incident

by Eric Mullens
LA VETA — Two 20-year old La Veta men face charges in an assault case that contains bias-motivated crime elements.
Cody Reynolds and Nathanal Roberts have been charged in connection with a fight reported at the La Veta Skate Park on November 17, in which they allegedly struck the juvenile victims after repeatedly cruising by the park and taunting the youth with homosexual slurs.
Three youth were interviewed by law enforcement personnel and at least two stated they were hit and shoved by the pair, who they said also called them derogatory names.
The primary victim in the incident told authorities that Reynolds and Roberts had driven by the park a number of times calling him and one of his friends (derogatory term for homosexuals).
Statements made to Huerfano County Deputy Sheriff Ray Walsh, which were included in his arrest affidavit for Reynolds, said the pick up truck came back to the park for a third time at about 8 pm, and Roberts and a female passenger in the vehicle got out and began talking to the victim. The witness told the deputy that during that conversation / confrontation, Roberts grabbed the victim and began punching him. According to a witness statement, one of the witnesses attempted to pull Roberts off of the victim, and Roberts allegedly yelled ‘double up’ and Reynolds then exited the vehicle and got involved in the fight.
One boy reported being punched and choked by Roberts and another being hit by Reynolds.
The Huerfano County Jail confirmed Reynolds was charged and booked on November 22, and posted a $15,000 c/s bond the same day and was released from custody.
According to Huerfano County Sheriff Bruce Newman, an arrest warrant (WT#11CR157-Huerfano County) had been issued for Roberts and he surrendered to authorities on Friday, Dec. 2. According to Newman, he faces the same charges as Reynolds and a $15,000 c/s bond was set in his case. Roberts remained in custody as of Monday, Dec. 5 according to the county jail roster.
In his affidavit supporting the arrest warrant concerning suspect Reynolds, Walsh wrote, “Cody Reynolds’ shoving, punching and striking (the victims – three named) did knowingly or recklessly cause bodily injury in the form of cuts, bruises and abrasions. The third degree assault charge is a class one misdemeanor.
The Bias Motivated Crimes charge is a class four felony. In support of that charge Walsh wrote, “Cody Reynolds with the intent to harass (victim) because of his sexual orientation did knowingly cause bodily injury to (the victim) by words and conduct did knowingly place (the victim) in fear of lawless action that would likely produce bodily injury. Cody Reynolds in being assisted by Nathan Roberts was aided and abetted during the commission of said offense.”
Assisting in the investigation were Colorado State Patrol Trooper Clayton Mock and La Veta Marshal Jerry Bumgarner.