A former El Paso County Deputy who was last seen a year ago after going missing for the second time in one week was arrested Tuesday following an in-depth investigation by the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division, according to a Wednesday news release.
Kevin Sypher, 57, is charged with two felony counts for theft and charitable fraud and two misdemeanor counts for misconduct. He was booked into the Teller County Jail on a $100,000 bail following his arrest Tuesday, according to court records.
Police say Sypher was employed by the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office for 11 years and was fired in August 2023 following his disappearance four months prior.
He was reported missing April 27, 2023, and was found on April 29 in the Denver metro area. He disappeared again on April 30 in the Wild Basin area in Rocky Mountain National Park, according to a May 5 news release, and was not found until his arrest on April 2, 2024.
Park officials were notified of his disappearance on May 1, according to an announcement by park spokesperson Kyle Patterson. “He is reported to have willingly walked away from a vehicle he was traveling in,” Patterson said.
Park searchers deployed a dog team before suspending active investigation by May 5.
Sypher is scheduled to appear in court on April 11, according to court records.
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