Grand Junction authorities took 54-year-old Dennis Leeper into custody Monday after deputies found methamphetamine and fentanyl during a traffic stop in Clifton. The arrest adds another name to a growing list of drug cases hitting Mesa County hard this winter.
What Happened on 30 Road and D Road
Mesa County Sheriff’s deputies pulled Leeper over near 30 Road and D Road in the Pear Park area on February 3. What started as a routine stop quickly turned serious.
Deputies discovered Leeper had multiple active warrants. A search of the vehicle revealed quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl large enough to trigger felony charges. Authorities also say Leeper tried to destroy evidence during the stop.
Dennis Leeper now sits in the Mesa County Detention Facility facing four drug-related charges, including one count of possession of more than four grams of a Schedule I or II controlled substance.
The Exact Charges Against Dennis Leeper
- Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (>4 grams, Schedule I/II) – Felony 4
- Tampering with Physical Evidence – Felony 6
- Unlawful Use of a Controlled Substance – Misdemeanor 1
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Petty Offense
Bond information has not been released yet, and Leeper remains in custody as of Tuesday afternoon.
Fentanyl Keeps Hitting Mesa County Hard
This arrest comes during one of the deadliest stretches for fentanyl in western Colorado. The Mesa County Coroner’s Office reported 92 overdose deaths in 2023, with fentanyl involved in the overwhelming majority of cases.
Just last week, Grand Junction police seized more than two pounds of fentanyl pills in a separate operation. Local law enforcement says much of the deadly drug flows up from Mexico through the I-70 corridor, finding its way into neighborhoods like Clifton and Pear Park.
Residents in the area tell KJCT they’re tired of seeing friends and family members lost to pills that look exactly like prescription medication but contain enough fentanyl to kill instantly.
Community Members Speak Out
Long-time Pear Park resident Maria Gonzalez said she wasn’t shocked by Monday’s arrest.
“I walk my dog past that exact corner every day,” Gonzalez said. “You see the same cars circling, the same people who don’t belong here. We just want our neighborhood back.”
The sheriff’s office continues to urge anyone struggling with addiction to reach out to the Mesa County Public Health hotline or the Grand Junction Detox Center before it’s too late.
Dennis Leeper’s first court appearance is expected within the next 72 hours. Authorities say more charges are possible as lab results come back.
This case is another grim reminder that the fentanyl crisis isn’t just a big-city problem. It’s on our streets, in our neighborhoods, and taking lives right here in Mesa County.
What do you think needs to happen to turn the tide on drugs in our community? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.
