The 22nd Judicial District welcomed Jeremy Reed as its new district attorney in Courtroom 2 at the Montezuma Combined Courts on Tuesday morning.
“I have been looking forward to this day since I announced my intention to run back in November. I am so happy and humbled that it is here,” Reed said after Chief Judge Todd Jay Plewe swore him in.
In November, Reed ran against former DA Christian Hatfield for the position.
The Republican secured 66% of the vote in Montezuma County and 77.79% of the vote in Dolores County to defeat Hatfield.
Hatfield, a Democrat, was appointed by Gov. Jared Polis to the 22nd Judicial District in 2023. He recently pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges of driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs and possessing an open container after he crashed his SUV on U.S. Highway 64 between Bloomfield and Farmington.
Reed told The Journal that reinstilling public trust in the district is a major priority, “and will remain one for however many years I’m lucky enough to have an office here.”
And so he will be working hard “to make sure the people who voted me into office – and even the ones who didn’t – can be proud and happy with the work we do as district attorneys.”
Reed appointed Justin Pierce as his assistant district attorney. He was sworn in directly after Reed.
“I’m excited to get started,” said Pierce. “There are no glaring areas of concern, but we’ll work to be more streamlined and efficient.”
Previously, Pierce was a deputy district attorney in the Sixth Judicial District in Durango.
Reed said Pierce, the newest addition to the office, will be a “fantastic assistant DA.”
Pierce replaced Jason Eley, who had been assistant DA under Hatfield. Eley told The Journal he plans to work in the 11th Judicial District in San Juan County, New Mexico.
Margaret Carr and Ronald Colquitt, two former deputy district attorneys at the office, will also make the move to the 11th Judicial District.
“It’s been kind of chaotic the last few weeks, with the change in staff and the holidays,” said DA Office Manager Clarisa Osborn.
In addition to Reed and Pierce, three deputy district attorneys and a chief investigator of the office were sworn into the 22nd Judicial District on Jan. 14. They are:
- Deputy District Attorney Rocío del Mar Román Aguilú.
- Chief Investigator of the Office of the District Attorney Steven Brunk.
- Deputy District Attorney Drew Buffington.
- Deputy District Attorney Caroline Davenport.
“It’s a great crew,” said Reed. “Prosecuting requires a team; it’s the whole team that makes this possible.”
After the ceremony in Cortez, the team traveled to the Dolores Combined Courts in Dove Creek to be sworn in there.