Colorado Man Convicted in Bloomberg Ranch Kidnapping Case

A federal jury in Cheyenne, Wyoming, has found Joseph Beecher, a 51-year-old Colorado resident, guilty of kidnapping a woman from a ranch owned by Michael Bloomberg. The incident, which occurred approximately 2 years and 6 months ago, has resulted in Beecher facing a potential life sentence.

The trial, lasting two days with a brief jury deliberation, concluded with Beecher's conviction on charges of kidnapping, carjacking, and firearm offenses. Prosecutors alleged that Beecher's actions were part of an attempt to target the media mogul and former New York City mayor.

The kidnapping unfolded at Bloomberg's western Colorado ranch, which he acquired in 2020 for $44.8 million. Michael Bloomberg, co-founder and majority owner of Bloomberg L.P., is renowned for his significant wealth, with an estimated net worth exceeding $50 billion as of 2024.

The victim, identified as the ranch's supervising housekeeper, was abducted at gunpoint. Beecher, who had recently lost his job and housing at a hotel in Craig, Colorado, allegedly sought out Bloomberg and his family. Craig, a small city with approximately 9,000 residents, is situated about 70 miles from the Bloomberg property.

During the incident, Beecher reportedly stole two rifles, including an AR-15, a semi-automatic weapon based on the ArmaLite AR-15 design. He then forced the housekeeper to drive them to Cheyenne, Wyoming, covering a distance of roughly 300 miles.

Law enforcement successfully traced the victim's iPad to a motel in Cheyenne, the state capital and most populous city in Wyoming. A SWAT team, specialized law enforcement units common in many police forces, conducted a raid on the motel room, rescuing the woman unharmed and apprehending Beecher.

This case falls under federal jurisdiction due to the interstate nature of the crime. The federal kidnapping statute, known as the Lindbergh Law, was enacted in 1932 following the abduction of Charles Lindbergh's son. Similarly, carjacking became a federal offense in 1992 with the passage of the Anti-Car Theft Act.

The swift conclusion of the trial, with the jury reaching a verdict after only 90 minutes of deliberation, aligns with the Sixth Amendment's guarantee of a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury. Federal trials in the United States typically require a unanimous jury verdict for conviction.

As the legal proceedings conclude, this case serves as a reminder of the serious consequences for such crimes, highlighting the effectiveness of inter-state law enforcement cooperation in resolving kidnapping cases.