Movie allegedly leads to sexual assault
After becoming aroused watching a movie, a Cortez man allegedly climbed through a neighbor’s window in order to engage in sexual intercourse.
Appearing out of custody on a $25,000 bond, Tom Merrick, 36, pleaded not guilty last week to charges of sexual assault, burglary, criminal trespass and false imprisonment. A trial date was set for Aug. 17.
According to officials, a plea deal was offered this month that would include a 20-year prison sentence.
Court records allege that Merrick entered the victim’s home around midnight on Jan. 3, and forced the woman to have sex twice withing four hours.
Upon leaving the home, the suspect reportedly tied the victim to the bed and hid her phone.
A Montezuma County deputy noted in a report that Merrick agreed to provide his DNA and later admitted to the alleged crimes.
Addict confessed to sheriff
Released after a traffic stop in December, a 48-year-old man reportedly confessed to Montezuma County Sheriff Dennis Spruell the next day that drugs found inside a friend’s towed vehicle belonged to him.
Dennis Whatcott, address unknown, pleaded guilty last week to possession of meth in connection to the traffic stop on Dec. 5.
Court records reveal the vehicle was impounded after authorities suspected that drugs were inside.
Officers later discovered .65 grams of meth and .45 grams of marijuana.
Expected to receive a deferred judgment, Whatcott could be ordered to drug court at sentencing in April.
Driver pleads guilty in vehicle assault
A Cortez man pleaded guilty last week to vehicle assault and DUI in connection to a single automobile crash that occurred on July 4.
Amador Begay, 32, of Cortez is likely to receive two years probation on the assault charge when sentenced in April. The plea deal includes an open sentence on the related DUI charge.
Court records reveal that Begay ran off Colorado 145, striking a rock and tree.
A passenger suffered a traumatic brain injury and lacerations to internal organs.
Forger is sentenced to prison
A Cortez man will spend the next four years behind bars after pleading guilty to forgery charges.
Last week, Robert Marquez, 33, received a two-year concurrent prison sentence with another case out of El Paso County.
He was credited with 341 days of time served.
Court records reveal that Marquez allegedly stole checks from a 74-year-old man and cashed them in for a total of $1,230 in spring 2013.
Brother gets probation in assault
A Dolores man was sentenced to 12 months probation last week after previously pleading guilty to assaulting his brother.
Kole Click, 26, was also ordered to undergo anger management counseling and submit to random drug and alcohol testing.
Court records reveal that Click was also arrested on felony drug charges in connection to the assault case, but the drug charges were dismissed.
tbaker@cortezjournal.com