EL PASO COUNTY — Prosecutors in El Paso County secure a guilty plea from a second defendant involved in the attempted robbery and burglary of illegal marijuana growing operations that resulted in the deaths of two men in July 2018.
On Tuesday, Terrell Deshon Hall entered a plea of guilty on felony charges of attempted robbery and first degree burglary. Earlier this month, Colin Kellet also pleaded guilty to attempted aggravated robbery and first-degree burglary. Both men will be back in court in mid-October for sentencing. Hall faces at least 20 years in prison.
The suspects were also facing first-degree murder charges for the shooting death of 46-year-old Gustavo Del Sol Sanchez.
Backstory on the investigation
On July 22, 2018, El Paso County Deputies were called to the property on Highway 94 between Marksheffel Rd and Curtis Rd after getting a tip about a shooting victim. Deputies found Gustavo Del Sol Sanchez's body and noticed an outbuilding being used as part of an illegal grow operation containing more than 70 plants.
The victim’s vehicle found on the property was registered to 19290 Loop Road, the same location where authorities knew there was another suspected grow operation and where they soon got a tip about armed men seen removing property into a black SUV. That location is just southwest of Hanover Road and S Peyton Highway.
Deputies soon headed to the other property where they noticed marijuana product inside a trailer, blood on the floor of the trailer, a broken window to the home, and shotgun shells all around the area. No one was found inside the home.
The search then moved next door to 19230 Loop Road as a tip came in about a black SUV heading to that address. The owner of the property, other adults and small children voluntarily stepped out of the home to speak to deputies.
According to the DA’s Office, the property owner said no one else was on the property and agreed to show them around as they cleared the area. The report notes the man had to be reminded to let deputies enter first for safety.
As the group approached the barn, the owner pushed open the door before a deputy pulled him out of the way. That’s when El Paso County Deputy Wheat went to make entry to the darkened barn, turned to find a man armed with a shotgun pointed at him, then fired more than once at the suspect. William Bacorn died at the scene. A deputy had minor injuries from shrapnel. An investigation determined Deputy Wheat acted in self defense.
Following the shooting, deputies again spoke with the homeowner about whether anyone else was on the property. The report states the owner said Bacorn, a former roommate, had threatened to harm his family if he revealed any information to law enforcement.
The District Attorney's Office believes Bacorn, Kellet and Hall were all working together in the attempted robbery and the burglary. Law enforcement did not capture Hall and Kellet until November 2018.
