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Resident turns himself in to authorities

Man who allegedly abused his mother faces more charges

Pat Callahan

One day after failing to appear at a motions and arraignment date hearing, a man accused of embezzling money from his elderly mother turned himself in to local authorities.

John Alva Bartlett is currently being held in the Moffat County Jail on a $44,000 bond – more than twice the amount his original bond was set at before Monday when he failed to appear at a court hearing.

Bond violation and bail violation have been added to the list of charges Bartlett now faces, which include theft, theft from an at-risk adult, neglect of an at-risk adult, and third-degree assault of an at-risk adult.



Deputy District Attorney

Bonnie Roesink said no date has been set for the motions and arraignment hearing on the new charges.



A warrant for Bartlett’s arrest had been issued after he failed to appear in court on Monday.

A trial to address the original charges against Bartlett has been scheduled for Nov 5.

Bartlett was initially arrested Feb. 28 on the charges of crimes against an at-risk adult or juvenile, which is considered a person over 18 who is unable to care or provide for themselves because of mental or physical incapacitation.

According to court documents, Bartlett allegedly embezzled more than $131,000 from his mother, Violette Bartlett.

Violette Bartlett turned 101 in May.

Bartlett placed his mother in Valley View Manor in April of 2001, and then failed to pay for her residence, which resulted in a bill in excess of $30,000, according to court documents.

Bartlett also allegedly placed a lien of more than $15,000 on his mother’s house, which he lived in, in order to buy a car.

He also allegedly physically and verbally abused his mother, court records show.

Violette Bartlett’s granddaughter, Bridget Bonderud, was granted emergency guardianship of Violette Bartlett on Feb. 11. Bonderud also assumed control of Violette Bartlett’s finances. According to court documents, Bonderud plans to sell the house on Rose Street and pay off the outstanding Valley View Manor bill.

John Alva Bartlett has indicated to the court that he is attempting to acquire counsel.

He has claimed to be a lawyer, but the Colorado Bar Association does not show him to be licensed to practice law in Colorado. The California Bar Association has Bartlett listed as “Not Entitled to practice law in California,” according to court documents.


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