SJCSO Shooting Investigation Leads to the Arrest of Four

SAN JUAN COUNTY- A San Juan County Sheriff’s Office investigation spanning two weeks leads to the arrest of four individuals connected to a shooting that occurred at a gas station in Flora Vista in late February.

On February 22, a SJCSO deputy conducted a traffic stop at approximately 2:20am at the Circle K in Flora Vista.  The driver, Salvador Lucero was taken into custody for an active warrant.  While discussing options for the passenger, who had concealed her real identity, a vehicle drove by and fired four shots in the area of the deputies at approximately 2:35am.  The passenger, later identified as Maddison Stanley, was quickly detained and placed in a patrol vehicle for her safety while the deputies on scene investigated what had just occurred.  While deputies were away from their patrol vehicles, searching the area where the shots had been fired, in-car video captured Maddison apparently on the phone begging “Thomas” and “Heather” to help her escape.  Shortly after, a vehicle pulled up to the Circle K with two occupants, one male and one female.  In-car video revealed Maddison asking the person on the phone to take her bag because her gun was in there.  Shortly after, a male is seen walking to the detained suspect’s vehicle and taking Maddison’s bag.  

Salvador Lucero was booked into SJCADC for his active Failure to Comply warrant.  Maddison Stanley was also booked into the SJCSADC on two warrants for Failure to Appear. 

Through a subsequent investigation, SJCSO detectives learned that the vehicle that arrived on scene to take the bag belonged to Heather Herren.  A search warrant was obtained for her vehicle and residence.  Heather was interviewed about her involvement in the incident at Circle K.  The search warrants revealed a wide variety of narcotics, a firearm, and Maddison’s bag.  Heather was arrested for five felony counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance, two misdemeanor counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance, one felony count of Conspiracy to Tamper with Evidence and one felony count of Tampering with Evidence.

Throughout the course of the investigation, Thomas McPherson was identified as the shooter in this incident as well as the male who removed Maddison’s bag from the suspect’s vehicle.  Detectives obtained a warrant for two counts of Aggravated Assault on a Peace Officer, one count of Shooting at or from a Motor Vehicle, five counts of Tampering with Evidence, one count of Receipt, Transportation, or Possession of a Firearm, five counts of Conspiracy to Commit Tampering with Evidence, two counts of Tampering with Evidence, and one count of Negligent Use of a Deadly Weapon.  US Marshal’s arrested McPherson in Colorado Springs on March 6.

For the incident on February 22, Maddison Stanley has been charged with five felony counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance, one count of Receipt, Transportation or Possession of a Firearm, three counts of Conspiracy to Commit Tampering with Evidence, one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and two misdemeanor counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance.

Sheriff Shane Ferrari stated, “ This case shows how brazen criminals have become toward law enforcement. The deputies and detectives involved in this case have done an amazing job solving several crimes and arresting the repeat offenders involved. We fully expect the suspects in this case to remain incarcerated until trial for the safety of the public and law enforcement.”