Two men charged in connection to an armed jewelry heist in Montezuma County are expected to enter plea deals next month.
Ivan Martin, 25, of Farmington, appeared before Chief District Court Judge Doug Walker on Tuesday, Jan. 21, for arraignment. The hearing was continued until Feb. 6 after a request by public defender Justin Bogan, who indicated a plea deal on a charge of aggravated robbery was expected.
Robert Rodriguez, 39, of Glendale, Ariz., also charged with aggravated robbery in the case, appeared before District Court Judge Todd Plewe for arraignment on Thursday, Jan. 23. His hearing was continued until Feb. 20 after a defense council requested time to investigate the case.
District Attorney Will Furse indicated that both suspects would be offered a plea agreement on a felony charge of menacing.
In custody on a $75,000 bond, the defendants allegedly fled the jurisdiction after an armed jewelry heist near the Ute Mountain Ute Casino on Sept. 11, 2013.
Records reveal that Martin said Rodriguez was the triggerman in the shooting.
tbaker@cortezjournal.com