Dropped last summer, charges have been refilled against a suspected Cortez drug dealer that peddled meth while pedaling a bicycle.
Ronald Wolfe, 39, of Cortez, appeared out of custody for an arraignment hearing before District Court Judge Todd Plewe on Sept. 18 on felony drug conspiracy, drug distribution and weapons charges. Initial charges against Wolfe were dropped last summer after his arrest July 22, 2013.
District Attorney Will Furse said dismissing the initial charges and the subsequent refilling of charges were both done at the requests of law enforcement. He declined any further comment.
At last week’s hearing, a defense request to continue the case was granted to allow the defendant time to consider a proposed plea deal. Details of the agreement are unknown. The arraignment was rescheduled for Sept. 24.
After last week’s proceeding, Wolfe was remanded into custody for violating terms of his $5,000 bond. He reportedly failed and missed scheduled drug tests in July, August and September.
Court records reveal the Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office conducted a surveillance operation leading up to Wolfe’s arrest. After an informant told authorities that he had witnessed more than 30 drug deals take place inside the defendant’s Cottonwood Street residence, a deputy watched Wolfe deliver meth to various locations while on a bicycle.
As the result of a search warrant, authorities seized 43.5 grams of meth; $231 in cash; five rifles, including an AR-15; loaded magazines and various drug paraphernalia ranging from pipes to scales from Wolfe’s home, according to court records.
Initial charges were dropped nine days after his arrest last summer. A lead witness, a deputy, is no longer employed with the sheriff’s office.