Prison Officer Threatened Jack In The Box Staff: Jury

CENTENNIAL, CO – A Douglas County jury found guilty a Parker prison official who used his office as a law enforcement agent to harass and threaten employees of a local fast food restaurant.

Gary Valko, 61, of Parker, mistreated employees of a Jack in the Box while on duty and behind the wheel of a Colorado Department of Corrections vehicle, the 18th Judicial District Attorney's office said in a press release. The jury found him guilty Thursday of one count of official oppression, a Class 2 misdemeanor.

On Sept. 10, 2017, Valko was driving his department-issued Chevy Impala through the drive-thru window of a Jack in the Box in Parker when he "got into an argument with employees over a recent price increase," the DA's office said in a statement. Employees threatened to call police, but Valko told the employee “I am the police!” He claimed he was with the FBI and threatened the employees with a "punching motion" and drove away, prosecutors said.

He later pulled over two restaurant employees, activating his police lights, and threatened them saying, “What if I pulled a gun on you? What if I had shot you?” prosecutors said. Employees later flagged down a Parker police officer to file a complaint.

“A law enforcement officer who abuses his authority creates a bad reputation not only for himself, but for all fellow law enforcement officers,” said Deputy District Attorney Matt Chaput in a statement.

Valko was fired from the Colorado Department of Corrections after an internal investigation, the Denver Post reported. His lawyer told the Post his client will appeal the ruling.

Valko is scheduled to be sentenced April 11. He faces a potential three months to a year in jail and/or a fine of $250 - $1,000, the DA's office said.

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