Rep. Matt Soper ‘Shocked’ by Court Decision to Overturn Funeral Home Owners’ Conviction

The recent decision by the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn the conviction of Montrose Funeral Home owners Megan Hess and her mother Shirley Koch, who pleaded guilty to mail fraud in one of the state’s most egregious body brokerage schemes, has angered Colorado State Representative Matt Soper.

In February 2018, the FBI shut down Sunset Mesa Funeral Directors and Donor Services in Montrose after complaints that the funeral home was trading bodies and giving families fake cremations.

Before Hess and Koch’s first sentencing in January 2023, Soper sent a letter to U.S. District Judge Christine Arguello asking for the maximum possible prison sentence. Families affected by the crime say they fear Hess and Koch will be released after serving their sentences and then return to the community.

Hess’ request to have another judge sentence him was denied and their guilty pleas remain intact. Both men will appear before Judge Arguello again for sentencing at a date to be determined.
Soper said he has not given up on the idea of ​​seeing both women receive the longest possible prison sentence for their crimes.

Colorado lawmakers passed three new laws this session in an attempt to rein in the state’s funeral industry. While he’s pleased with the current legislation, Soper told KVNF that more reforms are needed.