Brian Holland fired Tuesday after first court appearance
WALSENBURG — Brian Holland, La Veta Deputy Marshal, and his wife, Julie Post have both been arrested in connection with a domestic violence incident reported early Friday, December 13. Huerfano County Sheriff Bruce Newman said at about 1 am Friday, December 13, Huerfano County Dispatch received a 911 hang-up call from a La Veta residence. Dispatchers called the number back and found a possible domestic violence incident was in progress at 113 E. Field Street. Post’s 16-year old son had left the home and gone to the home of a neighbor, a Colorado State Patrol trooper, for help. When deputies Ben Bounds and Clint Boehler arrived on the scene they interviewed Holland and Post and the minor children in the home. Bounds arrest warrant affidavit said the deputies determined an argument between the two had escalated to the point where Holland grabbed Post by the arms and body and pushed her down onto a bed. The affidavit said the argument concerned the couple’s 9-month old baby boy, and that Holland had attempted to pull the baby away from Post and the push-pull sequence caused red marks on the baby’s back. A contusion over the right eye of the child was allegedly caused when Holland pulled the baby from its crib. “It was determined from statements from Holland and Post and the two minor children, that Brian Holland was the proximate cause of the physical marks on both Post and the baby,” wrote Deputy Bounds. The affidavit said both Post and the baby were checked out by Dr. Cuchinelli at Spanish Peaks Regional Health Center, who also witnessed the marks. “In addition, La Veta Marshal Youngers told us he had been to the residence on a prior occasion concerning domestic problems,” Bounds wrote. Newman said deputies worked on the arrest warrant affidavits throughout the day Friday and in the evening placed Holland under arrest. Holland appeared in custody in Huerfano County Court Tuesday morning before County Judge Gary Stork. He was advised of the charges against him, both class three misdemeanors; domestic violence related menacing and harassment. The possible penalties are six months in county jail and fines from $50 to $750, or both. Judge Stork advised the defendant of his rights and conditions of release on bond, including the particulars of a restraining order and conditions concerning Holland’s ownership of weapons and ammunition. Stork set bond at $3,500 cash or surety on the misdemeanor charges. Holland was held throughout the weekend at the Las Animas County Jail in Trinidad as a safety precaution due to his position as a law enforcement officer. Holland will return to court Tuesday, January 7, 2014 when formal charges from the district attorney’s office will be filed. Following the court proceedings Tuesday morning, La Veta Marshal Loren Youngers, who attended the brief hearing, met Holland outside of the courtroom and handed him his termination papers from the Marshal’s Office. “Yes, I’m disappointed,” Youngers said, “I hate to see something like this happen.” Youngers said he did respond to the incident call early Friday morning but turned over the actual investigation to the county sheriff’s office. Post appeared in court later Tuesday morning and was advised on her arrest charge, third degree assault, a class one misdemeanor. She was arrested at the family home Monday, according to Sheriff Newman. Judge Stork set her bond at $3,500 cash or surety. He also advised her regarding the protective order restraining her from contacting Holland. She was also advised on the bond conditions concerning weapon and ammunition possession. In the affidavit supporting the arrest warrant for Post, Bounds wrote, “Statements and evidence indicates that Post engaged Holland in a physical altercation.” Judge Stork set a January 15, 2014 return date for Post. The defendant said she had a private attorney in Denver and was unlikely to apply for a public defender. Due to Holland’s now former position as a lawman in the county, Deputy District Attorney Nelson Dunford said it was likely the district attorney’s office would be seeking a special prosecutor in the case.
