A Colorado funeral home owner has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud after admitting she sent families dry concrete instead of cremated ashes and stored nearly 200 bodies in improper conditions.
Carie Hallford Faces Up to 20 Years
On Monday, Carie Hallford entered the plea in federal court, admitting to defrauding the U.S. government of nearly $900,000. As part of the plea deal, she confessed to:
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Sending fake ashes to grieving families
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Keeping decomposing bodies in a room-temperature facility
Though she faces up to 20 years in prison, prosecutors are recommending a maximum of 15 years.
Last year, U.S. District Judge Nina Wang rejected a previous plea agreement. She’ll now decide whether to approve the current one, which drops 14 other federal charges.
State Case: 191 Counts of Corpse Abuse
In a separate state case, Carie and her husband Jon Hallford are accused of:
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Mishandling at least 190 bodies
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Burying the wrong bodies in at least two instances
Some remains had been left to decay for four years, many stacked together in disturbing conditions at their facility in Penrose, roughly two hours south of Denver.
Jon Hallford Already Pleaded Guilty
Jon Hallford has already pleaded guilty to:
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Fraud in the federal case
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All 191 counts of corpse abuse in state court
Carie initially pleaded guilty to the state charges but later withdrew her plea. Her next hearing in the state case is September 4, while sentencing in the federal case is set for December 3.
This shocking case has deeply shaken families and the funeral industry in Colorado, exposing serious gaps in oversight and regulation.
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Katie is a senior who has been on staff for three years. Her favorite type of stories to write is reviews and features. Katie’s favorite ice cream flavor is strawberry.
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