Arapahoe Sheriff creates new task force for meth-for-sex tips

The Denver Post

Arapahoe County Sheriff Grayson Robinson has created a 22-member task force to handle the expanding investigation into former Sheriff Patrick Sullivan, who was arrested last week for exchanging methamphetamine for sex.
The task force will include members of multiple jurisdictions. A 24-hour hotline also will be opened to gather tips from the public.
The expanded size of the task force is "a reflection of the complexity of what we are dealing with and the potential not only for additional charges but possibly other people," Robinson said.
He is expected to announce which agencies will be involved, as well as a person who has been appointed to lead the task force, later today.
In addition to the Arapahoe

sheriff's office, Denver police and the South Metro Drug Task Force already have been working on the case. Lance Clem, spokesman for the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, said today the CBI also will be part of the larger task force. Sullivan, 68, served as Arapahoe County Sheriff from 1984 until his retirement in 2002, becoming one of metro Denver's most visible and respected law enforcement officers.
He was arrested Nov. 29 after police said he tried to exchange meth with a confidential informant he believed was a gay prostitute.
He is charged with felony possession of methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, attempting to influence a public servant and misdemeanor solicitation of a prostitute.
On Tuesday, he posted $50,000 bond and was released from jail.
Robinson also said today that the person leading the task force will continue to report to him, and that he has taken steps to ensure the investigation of his former boss is fair and transparent.
"I'm not going to distance myself from my responsibilities," he said.
Questions about whether Robinson had a conflict in the case arose during a testy exchange earlier this week between the sheriff and the Centennial City Council.

An anonymous council member, through the city attorney, asked whether a special investigator should be appointed to lead the case because members of the public may be fearful of talking with investigators from Sullivan's former department.

Robinson, whose agency provides law enforcement services in Centennial, took issue with the council member wanting to remain anonymous, and made his dissatisfaction known.
"I expect a little different treatment," Robinson told the council. "I expect openness, I expect transparency, and I expect people to come forward and talk to me directly, so we can have an adult, meaningful conversation."