Alleged vandal needs tutor
A 68-year-old California man, who rejected a plea deal last week, has yet to master the English language.
At an arraignment hearing on Tuesday, Sept. 16, Thomas Reim appeared via telephone on multiple felony and misdemeanor charges. Court records reveal the suspect allegedly broke into his ex-wife’s home in Dolores County and stole dozens of items valued at more than $7,000 last December.
Prior to leaving the scene, Reim reportedly vandalized the residence by spray-painting the words “cheat,” “thief” and “lier” inside the garage, according to court records.
Facing two counts of felony theft and misdemeanor counts for property damage and harassment, the charges are acts of domestic violence, said prosecutors.
After pleading not guilty on all charges, a jury trial was set for Feb. 2.
Child abuser faces prison time
Within weeks of completing a halfway house sentence, a Cortez man convicted of child abuse and menacing could now be sentenced to two years in prison.
Michael Vallejos, 20, appeared in custody last week for re-sentencing on felony menacing and misdemeanor child abuse convictions after failing to comply with stipulations at a community corrections center in Durango. Vallejos reportedly received multiple disciplinary infractions while at the halfway house, including drug possession and use.
Prosecutors argued the defendant should be sentenced to two years in prison last week, but the case was reluctantly continued by the court to allow defense counsel time to discuss issues with the suspect’s case worker. Resentencing was set for Oct. 2.
The case stems from a 2012 incident where Vallejos held three victims at gunpoint in a Mancos alleyway after they reportedly stole an ounce of marijuana from him.
Court records show Vallejos violated the terms of his initial 18-month deferred judgment and sentence last November. He was originally charged with three counts of assault, child abuse, criminal mischief and possession of alcohol by a minor.
Upon his arrest, Vallejos reportedly threatened authorities that he would have them killed by the Sureno drug cartel.
Burglar, forger pleads guilty
A co-defendant in a Valentine’s Day home invasion pleaded guilty to felony attempted second-degree burglary last week.
Appearing in custody in a yellow inmate uniform, Jessica Olson, 26, of Cortez could be sentenced to four years in prison as a result of the plea deal. Sentencing was set for Nov. 4.
Charged in two separate cases, Olson faced forgery, second-degree burglary, criminal mischief and theft.
The forgery case stemmed from a Jan. 29th incident involving a stolen check that was cashed for $475.
The remaining charges were connected to a Feb. 14th home invasion on County Road 33.
In addition to jail, Olson also faces about $8,500 in total restitution from both cases.
Addict offered a second chance
A Cortez meth addict was sentenced to drug court last week after pleading guilty to felony drug possession and misdemeanor menacing last month.
With no prior felony drug convictions, William Linga, age unknown, could have the felony possession charge reduced to a misdemeanor after successfully completing 24 months of probation. His sentence also included 80 hours of community service and in-patient drug treatment.
According to court records, Linga was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and bond violation in connection to a menacing charge on March 25.
The menacing charge involved Linga brandishing a BB gun during a road rage incident, prosecutors said.
Shiprock forger gets 5 years
After being convicted of fraud two years ago, a Shiprock, N.M., woman finally appeared for sentencing last week. She was order to five years in prison.
Carla Joe, 49, also faces $7,000 in fines and $6,400 in restitution after pleading guilty to attempted second-degree burglary on Aug. 14, 2012.
She was credited with 116 days of time served.
The initial crime, which occurred in 2009, involved the forging of nine stolen checks. At sentencing last week, it was revealed that Joe had 12 prior convictions for similar white-collar crimes.
Joe said she skipped her initial sentencing hearing two years ago, because she was scared.
Tobie Baker