EATON — The man accused of committing a murder in Eaton on Tuesday has a lengthy and violent arrest record and was on parole after serving just 20 months of a 6-year sentence for strangulation.
Gabriel Faudoa, 34, is being held in the Weld County jail on charges of first-degree homicide, robbery, and aggravated motor vehicle theft after Weld County Sheriff’s deputies were called to a home in Eaton early Tuesday on a report of a deceased person in the home. The identity of the victim is pending an autopsy and notification of next of kin.
It is unclear if Faudoa was released early from the Department of Corrections (DOC) because of COVID-19 concerns. Complete Colorado has made an inquiry with the DOC for his release date and whether he was released under Gov. Jared Polis’ executive order allowing the DOC to release certain prisoners early to alleviate COVID infections in the system. Complete Colorado will update this story as it becomes necessary.
One of the eligibility requirements for early release was prisoners who were within a few months of parole eligibility anyway. Faudoa became eligible for parole on Aug. 4, 2020.
Weld County Sheriff Steve Reams said regardless of whether he was paroled early under the COVID program or paroled under normal procedures, he expects these kinds of crimes to only increase as the Colorado State Legislature continues to marginalize certain non-violent crimes and re-evaluate violent crime punishments.
“He was a bad guy before today and he should still be in prison,” Reams said. “He should not have been released. When people say they are only committing crimes against property or drugs it’s not serious, they are wrong. It’s a lifestyle that tends to lead to these kinds of activities. He’s in custody for allegedly killing someone, and he won’t even be subject to the death penalty because that’s been taken off the table.”
Complete Colorado obtained a background check on Faudoa, who had 23 previous arrests on multiple charges since 2009, when he was first arrested in Weld County on Second Degree assault charges causing injury with a deadly weapon.
Those charges range from misdemeanor charges of resisting arrest to felony charges for strangulation.
- In 2011, Faudoa was found guilty on two separate counts of misdemeanor assault knowingly and recklessly causing injury. He was sentenced to two years probation.
- In 2011, he was charged with driving under the influence with excessive alcohol by the Eaton Police Department.
- In 2012, he was found guilty of one felony account of engaging in a riot, two felony counts of second-degree assault with a deadly weapon, and one misdemeanor count of third-degree assault knowingly and recklessly causing injury. He was sentenced to three years in jail.
- In 2014, he was found guilty of misdemeanor crimes against a person — harassment, and misdemeanor assault, menacing charge. He was sentenced to 32 days in jail.
- In 2014, he was found guilty of third-degree misdemeanor assault knowingly and recklessly causing injury. He was sentenced to 18 months probation.
- In 2015, he was found guilty of violating the conditions of his parole and sentenced to 270 days in jail.
- In 2017, he was found guilty of petty theft under $50 and sentenced to seven days in jail.
- In 2018, he was found guilty of felony second-degree assault — strangulation and sentenced to six years in the Department of Corrections.
- In 2018, he was found guilty of misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance and sentenced to 286 days in jail.
Additionally, in 2016, Faudoa was arrested on felony assault charges for allegedly stabbing his cousins at his home in Eaton. He pled self-defense and was acquitted.
“What is the disincentive for a person who has already been convicted of a crime?” Reams said. “The only disincentive right now is they get pulled away from society for a while. It’s a joke.”
