Inset: Taylor Warford (23rd Judicial District Attorney’s Office). Background: The Jefferson County Detention Center (Google Maps).
A 33-year-old man in Colorado will be going to prison for surreptitiously tracking his ex-wife and threatening to kill her and their child while he was on probation for domestic violence he previously committed against her.
Taylor Warford, of Denver, was convicted Wednesday on charges of felony stalking and violating a protection order in connection with the disturbing series of actions targeting victim Amy Goggins, authorities announced.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Nate Marsh with the 23rd Judicial District Attorney’s Office called the verdict a major win for survivor safety.
“This verdict sends a message loud and clear that stalking is a crime of escalation and danger,” Marsh said. “Ms. Goggins showed incredible bravery coming forward, and this conviction ensures Warford will no longer be able to harm her.”
According to a news release from the district attorney’s office, Warford’s wife left him in 2023 due to the domestic violence charges and moved to Castle Rock, Colorado, to “escape the abuse.” The victim was also granted a court order prohibiting Warford from contacting her.
In response, Warford’s “behavior escalated,” prosecutors said, including placing an electronic tracker on her vehicle. When the victim discovered the GPS tracker hidden in her car, she contacted authorities, who soon learned that it was purchased by Warford while he was still under active probation supervision.
Love true crime? Sign up for our newsletter, The Law&Crime Docket, to get the latest real-life crime stories delivered right to your inbox
Warford also took other alarming steps that signaled he was a danger to his ex-wife.
“Warford’s family members also contacted authorities after he purchased five sets of handcuffs and a butane torch using a shared family Amazon account,” the release states. “He reportedly told them he planned to ‘wipe out’ his ex-wife and child. In addition, authorities are investigating reports of Warford allegedly attempting to acquire bomb making materials.”
Warford is currently being held in the Jefferson County Detention Center without bond as he awaits his sentencing hearing, which is currently scheduled to take place on Sept. 12. He is facing a maximum penalty of up to eight years in a state correctional facility.
“This case highlights a number of weaknesses in our criminal justice system, including the risk created for the public by placing violence-threatening defendants on probation and sending them back into our community,” District Attorney George Brauchler said in a statement following the conviction. “Jefferson County probation was no protection for our Douglas County citizen. Here the jury saw past the faux-mental health defense he was permitted to spring on the jury at trial. Finally, a word to would-be domestic violence abuser: she is over you. Move on. It is less costly than losing years of liberty.”
