In this image taken from video released by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, officers stop a patron from a nightclub where a raid occurred Sunday, April 27, 2025, in Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration via AP)
DENVER (Tribune News Service) — The Fort Carson staff sergeant who was at a Colorado Springs illegal nightclub during a large-scale federal raid April 27 and arrested days later on suspicion of cocaine distribution will proceed to trial, a judge ruled Tuesday.
Juan Gabriel Orona-Rodriguez, 27, is facing one federal count each of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine and conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Court records show that Orona-Rodriguez’s alleged offenses started no later than Sept. 16, 2024, and continued to at least April 9.
Court records also show Orona-Rodriguez allegedly worked as armed security at the illegal Colorado Springs nightclub — identified as Warike. The early morning raid resulted in 105 arrests, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Officials said 300 law enforcement agents from multiple agencies participated in the raid, including Colorado Springs police, and the El Paso and Douglas County sheriff’s offices.
Orona-Rodriguez was one of 17 soldiers at the nightclub — among around 200 partygoers, officials said. He previously received counseling from his commanding officer at Fort Carson to discontinue his work through the company Immortal Security, where he was alleged to be in a leadership position, according to his arrest affidavit.
Similar to his initial appearance May 1, Orona-Rodriguez appeared calm as he sat in federal court Tuesday morning awaiting his preliminary hearing.
Prosecutor Peter McNeilly called FBI special agent Ethan Doherty as the only witness . Doherty testified he assisted in the April 22 prearranged undercover $450 purchase of 0.5 of an ounce of cocaine sold to a previous buyer of Orona-Rodriguez.
Doherty testified the buyer was contacted by the FBI to assist in the undercover sale, but he was unsure if that person was offered protection from prosecution for their cooperation.
Magistrate Judge Susan Prose asked Doherty to elaborate on what amount of illicit drugs rises to the level of distribution intent. Doherty testified while 0.5 of an ounce is on the “lower end,” it does exceed the amount law enforcement outlines for personal use. It was noted the amount overall Orona-Rodriguez is accused of possessing and distributing was lower than what a federal courthouse typically sees in cases.
In addition to assisting with the undercover sale, Doherty testified he assisted in drafting the initial arrest plan for Orona-Rodriguez, who was taken into custody April 30 on at Fort Carson. He said that Orona-Rodriguez did not resist arrest and cooperated during a subsequent interview with law enforcement.
During cross-examination, Doherty testified he was not the lead investigator on the case and had not personally examined the phone records included in the initial complaint and affidavit. His testimony Tuesday was based on his review of records completed by another federal agent.
Orona-Rodriguez’s defense attorney Stephanie Snyder asked Doherty about search warrants executed on the house, vehicle and place of employment for the defendant. Doherty testified he did not know if any of the discussed drug distribution sales “ever came to fruition,” or if anything of “evidentiary value” was recovered during searches warrants. No evidence about financial records connected to the case was presented Tuesday.
While no charges have been filed against Orona-Rodriguez for allegedly working as armed security at the illegal Colorado Springs nightclub, his relationship with the owner was brought up in the courtroom Tuesday.
Was lease contract for raided Colorado Springs property breached?
The gathering that was raided at an “underground” nightclub in Colorado Springs early Sunday was held without the owner’s permission and in violation of a rental agreement, according to the property owner.
Virginia Thorne, who was allegedly responsible for running the raided nightclub after leasing from property owner Mike Moon, is the mother-in-law to Orona-Rodriguez. She is known to run other nightclubs, Doherty testified, based on interviews completed shortly after the soldier’s arrest.
As of Tuesday afternoon, no charges have been filed against Thorne, according to court records. She previously spoke with Gazette reporters, but refused to talk on the record.
At the conclusion of preliminary hearing, Prose ruled that prosecutors had enough substantial evidence to proceed toward a jury trial.
Orona-Rodriguez’s preliminary hearing preceded a detention hearing at which his defense argued for his release on condition — citing his lack of criminal record and the eight years he’s spent in the military. Snyder argued Orona-Rodriguez should be released back to his home, which was searched and cleared, so he can continue to serve in his stepfather role for two young children with his wife under pre-trial supervision.
McNeilly agreed the circumstances Snyder laid out would typically be ideal for release, but argued Orona-Rodriguez and his wife’s alleged involvement with the illegal Warike nightclub pose a public safety threat. Orona-Rodriguez’s wife allegedly worked at the club, searching people for weapons before entry.
No decision about a potential release was made Tuesday. Orona-Rodriguez was transferred back to the Jefferson County jail, where he remains on a no-bond hold. His next appearance in federal court to continue his detention hearing is scheduled May 15.
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