The sentencing of Jon Hallford, co-owner of Return to Nature Funeral Home, has been delayed after an El Paso County judge rejected a plea agreement tied to the discovery of nearly 200 decomposing bodies at the funeral home in October 2023.
“I decided that I cannot accept the plea agreement in this case,” Judge Eric Bentley announced Friday afternoon.
The proposed plea deal called for a 20-year prison sentence to be served concurrently with Hallford’s 20-year federal sentence, but the judge rejected it after hearing dozens of emotional victim impact statements urging a harsher punishment.
Judge’s Decision and Victims’ Outrage
Judge Bentley said the statements from grieving families deeply influenced his decision:
“I was stunned by the articulate and heartbreaking nature of what I heard this morning. The defendant violated every norm of a civilized society and victimized grieving people at their moment of greatest vulnerability.”
The judge noted that many victims felt their voices were not adequately reflected in the plea deal. He acknowledged that “no sentence would ever be enough” to fully deliver justice for the families.
Rejecting a plea agreement is rare, Bentley emphasized:
“Rejecting a plea agreement is an extreme action by the court. If I do reject it, the defendant can choose to back out of the plea, and the case will be reset for trial.”
Families Describe Their Pain
Among those addressing the court were Shiela and Gary Canfield Jones, whose daughter died in 2019. The couple believed the funeral home would provide compassionate care, only to later discover their daughter’s body had been left decaying for four years.
“We thought they were going to plant a tree for her and be compassionate,” they said tearfully. “Unfortunately, a con man and his wife conned us into thinking everything was going to be okay. It didn’t happen.”
Investigation and Federal Charges
The case began in October 2023, when neighbors reported a foul odor near the Penrose funeral home. Investigators found at least 190 improperly stored bodies inside the facility, which was later demolished.
Jon and his wife, Carie Hallford, were arrested in Oklahoma in November 2023 after allegedly attempting to flee. Both pleaded guilty to state charges including abuse of a corpse, forgery, and money laundering.
In addition, the couple faced federal charges for misusing nearly $900,000 in COVID-19 relief funds. Jon pleaded guilty in October 2024 and received a 20-year federal sentence in June 2025. Carie has since agreed to a 15-year maximum sentence after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud earlier this month.
Next Steps
Some families expressed frustration that Jon Hallford’s federal and state sentences could run concurrently, effectively reducing his prison time.
With the plea deal rejected, Hallford’s next court date is scheduled for September 12, 2025.
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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