A Cortez woman with pending felony drug distribution charges is seeking a quick conclusion to her criminal proceedings because of health issues.
Jordan D. Balfour, 27, also known as Jordan Lopez, is facing three criminal cases in 2018 totaling six felonies including two counts of possession of 14 to 225 grams of meth with intent to distribute, possession of a weapon as a previous offender and a special offender firearm charge, a Class 1 drug felony.
In 22nd Judicial District Court on Thursday, defense attorney Jason Eley told Chief Judge Douglas Walker that Balfour wants to get her cases wrapped up as soon as possible. He said a close friend named Lisa Mortensen has been transporting Balfour to doctor appointments but has to pay the jail every time she is released. They requested a lower bond.
Mortensen stated in court that Balfour is diagnosed with stage 1 lung cancer and needs chemotherapy. She also has a cyst on an ovary that needs to be removed and needs an operation on her arm, which was injured when her boyfriend at the time allegedly assaulted her with a knife in June.
“Jordan is a very sweet girl,” Mortensen said. “She just needs to learn some new tools and good guidance in order to get along in life. She really hasn’t had that opportunity.”
Walker thanked Mortensen for sharing the information but stated he was not prepared to lower the bond. A plea hearing for three cases is set for Feb. 7.
According to an affidavit for arrest warrant filed Oct. 31 by a Cortez Police Department detective, Balfour has an extensive criminal history involving the sale, use and distribution of controlled substances and is well known by the Montezuma County Drug Task Force.
A separate affidavit for arrest warrant filed Oct. 22 by a Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office detective states Balfour has “manifested special skill and expertise in the area of being an illegal narcotic distributor.”
According to the affidavits, Balfour’s residence on the 500 block of S. Linden Street has an exterior live feed security camera system, a safe with bundles of cash and several items with false hidden compartments. Law enforcement does not believe Balfour has ever had a real job, but she is able to pay rent, purchase expensive household items, safes, expensive clothing and travels frequently to New Mexico and Arizona.
In an incident on the morning of June 18, 2018, Balfour was the apparent victim of a stabbing at her home on Linden Street. Derrick Jim, who was recently arrested for possession of meth the night before a court appearance, allegedly stabbed Balfour in the arm just after 6 a.m., according to an affidavit for warrantless arrest against Jim filed by a Cortez Police officer on June 18.
Witnesses stated Jim and Balfour had been engaged in a romantic relationship for about a month at the time of the stabbing.
During the investigation of the stabbing, officers found blood on a bed and a crystal substance in plain view on a table. In Balfour’s bedroom closet, officers found a large crystal substance in a lock box along with small bags typically used to sell drugs. A total of 23.4 grams of meth were found in Balfour’s apartment during the stabbing investigation.
Balfour’s residence was searched again on Oct. 17 after a Cortez Police detective obtained a search warrant. Officers with MCSO and Cortez Police entered the residence after knocking several times with no response. Several males and one female were in the living room watching a large TV displaying the live camera feed, including the door where law enforcement made their entrance, according to an affidavit.
Law enforcement did not initially find any narcotics, but located $2,385 in cash in an unlocked safe. Then a detective noticed the lid to a hidden compartment can in her bedroom. In the kitchen, the detective located a fake Arizona Iced Tea can with a hidden compartment containing just over 2 ounces of meth. A fake Ajax bleach container and a toilet brush also had secret compartments.
In an affidavit, the detective stated that the Drug Task Force believes Balfour has suppliers in Arizona and New Mexico and then sells the meth to multiple other individuals in a conspiracy to distribute drugs. Based on the 3 ounces of meth in Balfour’s residence during the two searches, the Drug Task Force believes Balfour “plays a big role in and manages a large part of the conspiracy.”
Balfour was arrested on Oct. 23, when law enforcement returned to her residence with an arrest warrant. Before being taken into custody, Balfour asked if she could go to her room to smoke a cigarette and call her mom. The officer allowed it, but upon entering her room he saw two small meth rocks on a bedside table and a cup with a bag of a white substance. She was arrested on new drug charges in addition to the warrant.
Bond is set at $100,000 cash or surety.
sdolan@the-journal.com
