Sterling Man Arrested Following Disturbance Involving Child Custody Dispute

Sterling, CO –

On September 7, 2025, at approximately 9:35 AM, Sterling Police Officers were dispatched to an in-progress disturbance between a male and female in the 300 block of Hayes Avenue. Dispatch informed officers that the disturbance was physical in nature and that a male party had thrown himself onto the hood of a moving vehicle. As officers responded, updates indicated the male remained on the hood and was actively striking and breaking out the windshield.

Officers located the vehicle in the 1000 block of West Main Street. The male, later identified as Julio Lechuga, age 34, of Sterling, was still positioned on the hood of the vehicle. Contact was made with Mr. Lechuga, who was yelling that his daughter was being kidnapped.

Through investigation, officers determined that the child was not being kidnapped but was being picked up by the biological mother. A review of court records from both Missouri and Colorado revealed that Mr.

Lechuga did not have legal custody of the child. The Logan County Department of Human Services was also contacted and assisted with the incident. No injuries were reported to anyone involved in the incident.

Mr. Lechuga was arrested and transported to the Logan County Detention Center on the following charges:

Julio Lechuga, 34, Sterling, CO

o CRS 18-3-303(2) – False Imprisonment (Class 2 Misdemeanor)

o CRS 18-4-501 – Criminal Mischief (Class 2 Misdemeanor)

o CRS 18-6-401(7)(b)(1) – Child Abuse – No Injury (Class 2 Misdemeanor)

Individuals listed are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.