Richard Spears, 50, of Truth or Consequences, N.M., entered the plea at an arraignment hearing on Tuesday, Jan. 20.
Assistant District Attorney Sean Murray told the court on Tuesday that he anticipates the case will be resolved before the trial, set for June 1. The court granted and set a disposition hearing on April 3.
Charged with two counts of first-degree aggravated motor vehicle theft, Spears was arrested by Arizona authorities in May 2013 after a lengthy investigation that involved former Montezuma County commissioner Rule.
According to the arrest warrant, the owner of a local sand and gravel company asked Rule in late 2012 if he could help facilitate the acquisition of cement trucks for a new business venture. Rule reportedly contacted Spears, who within days allegedly delivered two stolen cement trucks to the former commissioner’s Cortez home.
Prior to the delivery, court records show Rule not only advised the potential buyer that the trucks would have to be painted before being sold for $40,000 each, but that he also paid extra to “clear up the titles.”
Colorado State Patrol investigators subsequently raided Rule’s home on Dec. 10, 2012, seizing two stolen cement trucks. Authorities allege that Spears stole four cement trucks, valued at $65,000 each, from a concrete facility in Phoenix, Ariz. All four trucks were recovered.
Free on a $5,000 bond, Spears is represented by local attorney Kelly McCabe.
No charges have been filed against Rule, who served two terms as a Republican county commissioner. He left office because of term limits in January 2013.
Rule has denied any wrongdoing.
tbaker@cortezjournal.com