Former fire chief accused of faking firefighting certificates

SHERIDAN - Three firefighters, including former Sheridan Fire Chief Ron Carter, are charged with felonies related to the forgery of firefighter training paperwork.

Carter, Sheridan Fire Captain Brian Ribble and Federal Heights firefighter Don Ogborn are charged with multiple felony counts of forgery, conspiracy and attempt to influence a public official.

The charges were filed by 18th Judicial District Attorney Carol Chambers on Thursday.

Court documents indicate the men forged a practical examination for firefighters looking for "Driver Operator and Driver Pumper Certification" in November 2005.

The Colorado Fire Chiefs' Association Web site lists Ribble as the training officer for the Sheridan fire department.

The Arvada Fire Protection District released a statement saying Ribble is currently in the Arvada fire academy and has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

Calls to Carter, Ribble and Ogborn on Friday were not returned.

Sheridan City Manager A.J. Krieger said Ribble has been placed on leave from his position with the Sheridan Fire Department.

Krieger said the city is conducting its own internal investigation.

"While these allegations are difficult to accept, the City recognizes we have a commitment to uphold the strictest of standards when it comes to the public's trust," Krieger said in a written statement. "These are trying times, but as an agency we remain committed to providing the highest level of service possible to the Sheridan community."

The criminal investigation was handled by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation's Division of Fire Safety.

CBI spokesman Lance Clem told 9Wants to Know Investigative Reporter Kyle Clark the probe is the result of increased enforcement actions by that division.

"The Division of Fire Safety is doing a lot more work these days into firefighter certification testing," Clem said.

The criminal complaints accuse the firefighters of attempting to influence Tami Babylon and Teresa Staples.

Babylon is the certification manager for the Division of Fire Safety. Staples is its deputy director.

If you have information about this story or would like to suggest another story idea, contact 9Wants to Know investigative reporter Kyle Clark at kyle.clark@9news.com.