Traffic Stop On I-70 Results In Drug Trafficking Charges For Henderson Man

GRAND JUNCTION – United States Attorney Jason R. Dunn announced that Beau Aaron Howarth of Henderson, Colorado has been indicted by a federal grand jury, charged with possession with intent to distribute more than 1 kilogram of heroin.  The indictment was returned on October 2, 2020.  Howard was ordered detained pending trial.  The Denver Field Division of the DEA joined in the announcement.

According to allegations in court documents, Howarth was driving a minivan on I-70 in Mesa County heading eastbound.  He was pulled over by the Mesa County Sheriff’s Department in a traffic stop.  A Sheriff’s Deputy deployed a canine trained to detect the odor of cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine.  The dog alerted near the rear passenger door.  A search of the van identified 13 packages of suspected narcotics, including 11.75 kilograms of suspected heroin and 2.10 kilograms of opiate pills containing suspected fentanyl.

Howarth was ordered detained by United States Magistrate Judge Gordon P. Gallagher pending further proceedings.

This matter is being investigated by the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office together with the Drug Enforcement Administration.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Hautzinger is handling is matter.

The charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until convicted.  Howarth faces not less than 10 years, and up to life in federal prison, and up to a $10,000,000 fine.