CLIFTON, CO - On April 7, 2026, at approximately 8:30 p.m., deputies with the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle near Coronado Way and E Road in Clifton, Colorado. While conducting the traffic stop, a Mesa County Sheriff’s Office narcotics K9 positively alerted to the scent of drugs in the vehicle..

A search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of a loaded, stolen firearm and multiple boxes of ammunition. The driver, identified as Isaiah Eastman, 30, of Clifton, Colo., was also found to be driving without a valid license and without valid registration or insurance for the vehicle.

Eastman was arrested without incident and transported to the Mesa County Detention Facility on the following charges:

• Theft of a firearm, Felony 6
• Large capacity magazines prohibited, Misdemeanor 1
• Drove vehicle without valid driver’s license (resident more than 30 days),  Misdemeanor Traffic Offense 2
• No insurance in possession, Misdemeanor Traffic Offense 1
• Expired license plates/expired registration, Class B Traffic Infraction

On April 8, 2026, at approximately 9 a.m., deputies with the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office working with the Beat Auto Theft Through Law Enforcement (B.A.T.T.L.E.) West assisted with a traffic stop conducted in the area of E ½ Road and Pimavera Street in Clifton, Colorado. Deputies identified the passenger of the vehicle as Mikel Smith, 23, of Clifton, Colo., who was wanted on multiple active warrants.

Smith exited the vehicle as it came to a stop and began running from deputies. Deputies initiated a foot pursuit. After a short distance, Smith was tased, ending the foot pursuit, and he was placed under arrest.

While searching the area around the vehicle Smith fled from, deputies located a loaded firearm, which was determined to be reported as stolen. Deputies also located a knife in Smith’s clothing during his arrest. 

Following medical evaluation on scene, deputies transported Smith to the Mesa County Detention Facility on the following charges:

• Possession of a weapon by a previous offender, Felony 5
• Theft of a firearm, Felony 6
• Unlawfully carrying a concealed weapon, Misdemeanor 1
• First degree criminal trespass auto, Misdemeanor 1
• Resisting arrest, Misdemeanor 2
• Obstructing a peace officer, Misdemeanor 2
• Theft - $300-$1,000, Misdemeanor 2
• Second degree criminal trespass enclosed property, Petty Offense

Additionally on April 8, 2026, at approximately 10 a.m., deputies with the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office Major Offender Task Force and Beat Auto Theft Through Law Enforcement (B.A.T.T.L.E.) West partners contacted a vehicle with mismatched license plates which was parked, but running, near the intersection of 32 ⅜ Road in Clifton, Colorado. The driver, who was asleep at the wheel, was identified as Keaton Kurtz, 26, of Clifton, Colo., and was wanted on an outstanding warrant.

Deputies and Troopers contacted Kurtz who appeared to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Kurtz was cooperative and stepped out of the vehicle, where he was then placed under arrest. A search of his vehicle uncovered a stolen firearm, which was loaded. Additionally, debit cards not belonging to Kurtz were located in his possession.

Kurtz was transported to the Mesa County Detention Facility on the following charges:

• Theft of a firearm, Felony 6
• Driving under the influence, Misdemeanor 1
• Prohibited use of a firearm for being under the influence while in possession of a firearm, Misdemeanor 1
• Criminal possession of one or more financial devices, Misdemeanor 2

These cases would not be a success without the strong interagency partnerships established with agencies throughout Mesa County and the BATTLE West initiative. No further information is available on these cases at this time. Mugshots for Smith and Kurtz will be released once available.

Note: This release was updated on April 9, 2026, to add the mugshot of Keaton Kurtz. It was also updated April 10, 2026, to add the mugshot of Mikel Smith.