Pueblo County man arrested after allegedly sexually assaulting child, engaging in a standoff
PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) -- The Pueblo County Sheriff's Office says a 31-year-old was arrested Saturday morning on felony charges after a several hours-long standoff with deputies and SWAT members.
Deputies were dispatched to a home on the 6200 block of Huerfano Road in rural Avondale at about 11:40 p.m. on Friday in regards to a shooting. Authorities learned the suspect Taggert Rieke had fired at least one shot into the ceiling of the home and then threatened to shoot his 41-year-old girlfriend, a 13-year-old girl and himself after he was caught having sex with the teenager. Nobody was injured during the incident.
When deputies arrived, the woman and three other individuals were able to get out of the home safely. But Rieke and the teenage girl, who refused to leave the residence, were still inside.
Deputies and SWAT members surrounded the home and for almost an hour tried to convince Rieke and the teenager to come out of the residence. Around 3:30 a.m., negotiators were able to convince the girl to exit while Rieke refused to leave. After several announcements and other SWAT tactics, Rieke came out of the house around 4:20 a.m. and was taken into custody without incident.
Rieke is charged with sexual assault on a child, possession of a weapon by a previous offender, illegal discharge of a firearm, felony menacing and domestic violence. Deputies booked him into the Pueblo County Jail.
Pueblo County Sheriff Kirk M. Taylor commended the deputies and SWAT team for their patience and professionalism while dealing with the dangerous situation.
“They did a great job in bringing this incident to a peaceful resolution and in taking this dangerous and reckless individual into custody," Taylor said.
