Return to Nature co-owners expected in court Friday for plea hearing

The owners of Return to Nature Funeral Home Jon and Carie Hallford are expected to appear in court tomorrow for a plea hearing in their state-level case just weeks after pleading guilty to charges in federal court.

The funeral home, about 35 miles southwest of Colorado Springs, came under a multiagency investigation in October of 2023 after reports of a complaint about a foul odor in the area. Investigators said they found nearly 190 bodies in various states of decomposition that were not properly stored.

In July, the Hallfords were offered a plea deal in their state-level case, where they face 286 criminal charges. On Friday Jon and Carie Hallford could enter a plea on state-level charges after their past several hearings were delayed, due in part to their federal case taking priority.

In October both Jon and Carie Hallford pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud in federal court. The couple will be sentenced on March 20, and face a maximum of 15 years in prison, according to the terms of the plea agreement .

The state plea deal, if accepted, could see the Hallfords spend up to 20 years in prison.

Jon Hallford is being held without bond pending the outcome of his federal case, despite being released on a $100,000 bond in his state case. Carie Hallford remains free on a $100,000 bond.

Projected snow storms on Friday could lead to court closures, which would delay the Hallfords' hearing further.