Man Convicted of Kidnapping Employee at Michael Bloomberg's Colorado Ranch

A Colorado man has been convicted of kidnapping an employee of a ranch owned by businessman and politician Michael Bloomberg.

On Wednesday, a federal jury in Cheyenne convicted 51-year-old Joseph Beecher, of kidnapping, carjacking, using a firearm during a crime of violence, and for transporting stolen firearms.

In details shared by Cheyenne Police on Facebook , evidence presented at the trial showed that on February 2, 2022, Beecher broke into his employer's home and stole two firearms, including an AR-style rifle. He then drove to Michael Bloomberg's ranch in Colorado with the intent of killing him but found only a female employee on the property.

The woman was held hostage at gunpoint and forced to drive Beecher to various locations to look for and kill another media mogul. It finally ended at the Stage Coach Motel in Cheyenne, where SWAT officers rescued the woman on February 3. She was physically unharmed.

Sentencing has been set for November 18. Beecher faces 7 years to life in prison.