A New Mexico man has pleaded guilty to felony auto theft in connection to a multistate investigation that involved a former Montezuma County commissioner.
Richard Spears, 50, of Truth or Consequences, N.M., pleaded guilty last week to attempted aggravated motor vehicle theft as part of a deferred judgment plea deal. Tentatively accepted by Chief District Court Judge Doug Walker, the plea deal includes an open term of probation and restitution. Spears will be sentenced on May 19.
Initially charged with two counts of first-degree aggravated motor vehicle theft, Spears was arrested by Arizona authorities in May 2013 after a lengthy Colorado State Patrol investigation that included former Montezuma County Commissioner Larrie Rule.
According to Spears’ arrest warrant, the owner of a local sand and gravel company asked Rule in December 2012 if he could help facilitate the acquisition of cement trucks for a new business venture. Rule reportedly contacted Spears, who within days delivered two stolen cement trucks to the former commissioner’s Cortez home.
“The investigation continues,” said Assistant District Attorney Sean Murray moments after Spears plea on Thursday, April 9.
No charges have been filed against Rule, who served two terms as a Republican county commissioner. He left office due to term limits in January 2013. Rule has maintained the investigation was politically motivated, denying any wrongdoing.
At a hearing last fall, Murray said Rule served as a “go between” to sell the stolen cement trucks. Asked last week if additional charges would be filed in connection to the case, Murray declined to comment, adding the statute of limitations would expire within weeks.
“The investigation is ongoing,” Murray reiterated.
Before receiving the cement trucks, court records reveal that 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.”
State investigators subsequently raided Rule’s home on Dec. 10, 2012, seizing two stolen cement trucks. Authorities allege that Spears stole a total of four cement trucks, valued at $65,000 each, from a concrete facility in Phoenix.
Free on a $5,000 bond, Spears is represented by local attorney Kelly McCabe.
tbaker@cortezjournal.com