Colorado man kidnaps Bloomberg housekeeper in murder plot attempt

In February 2022, Joseph Beecher, a 51-year-old man from Colorado, was fired from his hotel maintenance job in Craig, Colorado, which was about 70 miles from Michael Bloomberg's ranch. Following his dismissal, Beecher sought out Bloomberg and his family, ultimately leading him to the billionaire's ranch. Armed with a stolen AR-15, he kidnapped a housekeeper at gunpoint, forcing her to drive him to Cheyenne, Wyoming, approximately 200 miles away. The housekeeper was working at the ranch when Beecher confronted her, demanding she drive him to the Denver area before redirecting to Cheyenne. During the ordeal, she remained unharmed, and law enforcement was able to track her iPad to the motel where Beecher had checked in. This led to a swift response from the police, who confirmed their location through security footage. A SWAT team executed a raid on the motel room, successfully apprehending Beecher. He was charged with multiple offenses, including kidnapping, carjacking, and firearms violations. The jury deliberated for only two hours after a two-day trial, resulting in a conviction. Beecher now faces a significant prison sentence, ranging from seven years to life. Prosecutors did not disclose a specific motive for his actions, but they emphasized his intent to harm Bloomberg, raising concerns about the safety of public figures and the potential for targeted violence.