Colorado Sheriff and Deputies Indicted for Alleged Corpse Abuse

Grand jury charges 5 of 7 officers in rural Costilla County over misconduct investigation

Mar. 28, 2026 at 1:33am

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The sheriff of Costilla County, Colorado, and four of his deputies have been indicted by a grand jury on charges related to the alleged mishandling of human remains discovered in the county in 2024. The indictments stem from a misconduct investigation into the sheriff's office.

Why it matters

This case raises serious concerns about potential abuse of power and lack of accountability within a small rural law enforcement agency. The alleged mishandling of human remains is a grave violation of public trust and dignity for victims and their families.

The details

According to court documents, a man reported finding human remains to the Costilla County Sheriff's Office in October 2024. The sheriff, Danny Sanchez, and former deputy Keith Schultz are accused of taking only the skull and leaving the other remains behind, including teeth. Five of the seven total law enforcement officers in the county have now been indicted as part of the misconduct investigation.

  • The human remains were discovered in October 2024.
  • The grand jury indictments were announced on March 27, 2026.

The players

Danny Sanchez

The sheriff of Costilla County, Colorado, who has been indicted as part of the misconduct investigation.

Keith Schultz

A former deputy in the Costilla County Sheriff's Office who has been indicted along with the sheriff.

Costilla County Sheriff's Office

The rural law enforcement agency in Costilla County, Colorado, where five of the seven total officers have now been indicted.

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What’s next

The indicted officers are expected to appear in court in the coming weeks to face the charges. The investigation into potential misconduct within the Costilla County Sheriff's Office is ongoing.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of robust oversight and accountability measures, even in small rural law enforcement agencies, to ensure public trust and prevent abuses of power. It also underscores the need for thorough and sensitive handling of human remains by authorities.