Peeping Tom gets 18 months in jail
When arrested in June, a 40-year-old Peeping Tom was reportedly in possession of vodka and toilet paper.
Fast-forward three months, Ivan Doka was sentenced to 18 months in jail on Tuesday, Sept. 16, after pleading guilty to felony invasion of privacy for sexual gratification, second offense. He was credited with 89 days served.
“Sweeping Mr. Doka under the rug for 18 months is a temporary fix only to protect the people of Cortez,” said District Attorney Will Furse.
In his arguments to Chief District Court Judge Doug Walker, Furse said the victims, who suffered “severe trauma,” wanted Doka to serve more time behind bars, but the law only provided for an 18-month maximum jail sentence. Furse added that the victims wanted to avoid being traumatized at trial.
Neither the victims – two teenage girls – nor their parents addressed the court on Tuesday.
Doka accepted responsibility for his actions and vowed not to commit further crimes.
Walker also ordered Doka to register as a convicted sex offender. In 1998, he was convicted in New Mexico on sex charges involving a minor.
According to court records, a 911 call was received just after midnight on June 11, 2013, with reports that the defendant was “looking through the windows.” Armed with a baseball bat, family members of the victim cornered the suspect on a deck.
When police arrived, they found Doka intoxicated and shirtless with his pants unbuttoned.
Teen sentenced in attack on man, 65
A Cortez teenager was sentenced Tuesday to 12 months of probation after his mother ordered him to attack a 65-year-old man who allegedly ran over their dog.
Armando Paredes, 19, of Dolores, was also ordered to undergo anger management counseling, obtain a GED, find a job and barred from using alcohol or drugs. Restitution of $642 was also imposed.
“I have no ill will toward the defendant,” the victim told the court. “I’m just hoping the probation works.”
Paredes was charged with a felony crime against an at-risk victim, along with misdemeanor offenses of assault and criminal mischief.
“Hopefully you can move forward with this in a positive fashion,” Walker told Paredes.
Charges against the suspect’s mother, Raynell Paredes, 45, remain pending in connection to the case. She has pleaded not guilty to inciting destruction of life and property and conspiracy to commit third-degree assault on an at-rick victim. Her trial date is set for Nov. 3.
DEA case against man continued
A Mancos man charged with distribution of a controlled substance had his arraignment hearing continued Tuesday until next month.
Appearing out of custody on a $10,000 bond, Bruce Ramsey, 45, of Mancos was granted a continuance until Oct. 21.
Court records reveal a confidential source with the Drug Enforcement Agency set up a drug buy from Ramsey on Sept. 23, 2013. It’s alleged that Ramsey sold methamphetamines to the DEA source for $300 at the First Street Car Wash.
Ramsey’s attorney, Richard Sims, requested the continuance because of lack of discovery.
Ramsey was initially arrested on a $100,000 bond.
Man faces sentencing after police pursuit
A 39-year-old Cortez man will be sentenced next month after pleading guilty to eluding police.
William Begay will be sentenced Oct. 21, on charges of felony eluding and misdemeanor DUI. The charges stem from an incident on Aug. 21, 2013.
Court records reveal that a concerned citizen initially called 911 to inform police of Begay’s erratic driving on Main Street. A pursuit ensued throughout central Cortez.
Begay’s reported blood alcohol level was 0.251. A small child was a passenger inside Begay’s vehicle.
At sentencing, it’s recommended that Begay receive 24 months of probation. The maximum penalty is three years in prison.
tbaker@cortezjournal.com