2 cleared in Trinidad drug sting file federal lawsuit

Two women who were arrested and later cleared in a drug sting case in Trinidad are suing the city and two police detectives, accusing them of not checking out allegations from an unreliable informant.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado filed the lawsuit on behalf of Danika Gonzales and Felicia Valdez in Denver federal court Thursday. They were among 40 people arrested in the December 2103 sting based on information provided by informants including Crystal Bachicha.

Click here to read the lawsuit

Gonzales once served as Bachicha’s probation officer and Bachicha alleged that Gonzales sold her drugs in the courthouse hallway.

Both women lost their jobs after their arrests. Valdez and her children also lost their federally-subsidized housing.

The police department referred questions to city attorney Les Downs who said he couldn’t comment on litigation.