On the morning of August 29, 2023, at about 0900 hours, Joshua Cordova, a 42 year-old male, walked into the main public entrance/screening area of the El Paso County Courthouse located at 270 S. Tejon Street for a scheduled court appearance. El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPSO) Security Officers discovered Cordova was carrying a concealed handgun on his waist. The carrying of firearms and weapons by members of the public in Court and Probation facilities within the 4th Judicial District are prohibited by Court Order.
Security Officers approached Cordova at which time he became confrontational and refused to participate in the security process for the facility. The courthouse lobby was temporarily closed as a result of the incident, but normal operations for the rest of the building were unaffected. When it was learned Cordova had an outstanding arrest warrant, deputies from the EPSO Court and Transport section responded. Cordova became combative and a taser was deployed during the effort to secure his arrest.
Two EPSO employees received minor injuries as a result of the fight. Cordova was arrested and taken to a local hospital as a matter of procedure for a medical clearance prior to being booked in to the El Paso County Jail for the following charges:
- 18-3-202: Assault in the First Degree (Felony)
- 18-12-108: Possession of weapons by previous offenders (Felony)
- 18-8-103: Resisting arrest (Misdemeanor)
- 18-12-105: Unlawfully carrying a concealed weapon (Misdemeanor)
- 18-8-102: Obstructing Government Operations (Misdemeanor)
Cordova’s booking photo is attached.
Sheriff Joe Roybal would like to commend the members from our Court and Transport Section, our County Security Section, as well as the officers from the Colorado Springs Police Department that responded to, contained, and resolved this volatile situation.
