Dolores man faces new charges
A Dolores man that had a drug trafficking case dismissed this summer now faces charges in connection to a search warrant issued in June.
The drug trafficking case was dismissed in July after prosecutors questioned the “lawful scope” surrounding the arrest of Maynard Peltier, 62, in March.
The new charges, which include possession with intent to distribute, possession of a controlled substance and violation of bond, were filed after a search warrant on June 12.
Court records reveal authorities seized 18 grams of meth, drug paraphernalia, $443 in cash and cell phones from Peltier’s vehicle.
Out of custody on a $10,000 bond, the defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges on Tuesday. His trial date was set for March 2, 2015.
Man pleads guilty in CR 33 burglary
Gary Soza, 38, of Cortez was granted a deferred judgment and sentence after pleading guilty in a burglary of a County Road 33 home.
Soza and a co-defendant allegedly smashed a window of the home and stole eight antique Kachina dolls worth $4,000, an air compressor, greenhouse, turkey cooker, necklace and a Blu-ray player on Valentine’s Day.
Soza was sentenced to supervised probation, ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation, submit to drug and alcohol testing and pay court cost and undetermined restitution.
High-speed pursuit leads to guilty plea
A 39-year-old New Mexico man received the maximum sentence allowed, three years in prison, after pleading guilty to DUI and eluding police. The charges stem from an incident on Aug. 21, 2013.
Court records reveal that a concerned citizen initially called 911 to inform police of William Begay’s erratic driving on Main Street, and a high-speed pursuit ensued in a school zone. Begay’s reported blood alcohol level was 0.251. An infant was a passenger inside the suspect’s vehicle.
Credited with 119 days served, Begay apologized to the court on Tuesday.
“I’m glad I didn’t hurt anybody,” said Begay.
Cortez man pleads guilty in forgery
A 33-year-old Cortez man pleaded guilty to forgery last week as part of a plea deal. Chief District Court Judge Doug Walker said he was reluctant to accept the deal, but set sentencing on Dec. 4.
Charged with two counts of theft and three counts of forgery, Robert Marquez pleaded guilty to a single forgery charge on Oct. 16. The plea deal would include a two-year prison sentence to run concurrent with other charges he faces in El Paso County.
Court records reveal Marquez allegedly stole checks from a 74-year-old North Beech Street resident, and wrote $740 in check in April and May.
Dolores man faces assault, drug charges
A 26-year-old Dolores man accused of assaulting his brother also faces felony drug charges after authorities discovered 45 grams of amphetamines inside his home.
Kole Click pleaded not guilty to all charges on Tuesday. His trial date was set for March 2, 2015.
Court records reveal Click was arrested and charged with assault on May, 17, after he allegedly choked his younger brother. Two days later, authorities conducted a search warrant of his residence, and seized 45 grams of amphetamines, nine jars of psychedelic mushrooms, a .380 caliber handgun and $4,600 in cash.
He also faces two counts for possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.
Man pleads not guilty in domestic violence
Sonnie Gustamantez, 25, of Cortez pleaded not guilty this week to all charges connected to a domestic violence incident that occurred in August. His trial date was set for March 2, 2015.
The suspect faces two counts of felony menacing and two misdemeanor counts of child abuse. Court records reveal the defendant was allegedly intoxicated when threatened his fiancée and a friend with a 6-inch knife. He reportedly fled the scene with two children in the vehicle, placing their safety at risk.
Gustamantez is free on a $1,000 bond. A protection order was granted to the pregnant victim.
Captured fugitive fails to appear
Joshua Olmsted, 24, has been on the run from Wyoming authorities since stealing a vehicle in 2007. He was captured in Montezuma County on Aug. 31.
Scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 16, Olmsted did not show after he was released from the Montezuma County jail. Court records reveal he posted a $75 bond on Sept. 8.
“I’m sure whoever wanted him will be thrilled with that,” said Walker.
tbaker@cortezjournal.com