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Cortez woman pleads guilty to drug and theft charges

This Airstream stolen from the Dolores River Campground in 2020 ended up with a dealer in San Pedro, California. After seeing a Facebook post about its theft, the dealer called the owners, and it was returned free of charge.
Cases involved opioid distribution and stolen Airstream trailer in Dolores

A Cortez woman has pleaded guilty to felony drug distribution in Cortez and misdemeanor theft related to a stolen Airstream trailer in Dolores.

As part of a plea agreement, Elizabeth Ann Rogers pleaded guilty to three charges in 22nd Judicial District Court: conspiracy to distribute and possess a controlled substance, a Class 3 felony; misdemeanor theft; and misdemeanor perjury for a statement in a court-ordered drug-use document.

Elizabeth Ann Rogers (Courtesy Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office)

The guilty plea for the felony drug charge originated from an incident Sept. 1 when Rogers was arrested at the Maverick on U.S. Highway 491 with 145 counterfeit OxyContin pills and 32.2 grams of suspected meth.

The counterfeit pills were suspected to include fentanyl, according to investigators cited in the arrest affidavit.

Samuel John Clark, who was traveling with Rogers, was arrested for drug distribution the same day.

Rogers posted a $50,000 bond and was later arrested on an additional alleged drug distribution charge, which was dropped as part of the plea agreement, according to Assistant District Attorney Will Furse.

In September 2020, after an investigation by the Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office, Rogers was arrested and charged with the theft of a restored Airstream camper trailer from the Dolores River Campground on Aug. 12, 2020.

According to court documents, she allegedly sold the trailer to a vintage dealer in California for $7,500. But a few days later, the buyer saw social media posts about its disappearance, and he contacted the Dolores owners, who drove out and retrieved it.

As part Rogers’ plea deal, the initial Class 6 felony theft charge was reduced to misdemeanor theft. Also, a probation violation charge was dismissed, and a charge for an additional alleged drug crime was dropped.

For the Class 3 felony drug conviction, Rogers faces a sentence of up to four years in prison, according to court records.

For the theft and perjury convictions, Rogers faces a possible sentence of up to 18 months for each conviction. It is up to the judge to decide whether sentences will run concurrently or consecutively.

Rogers was released on a personal recognizance bond pending sentencing.

Sentencing is set for Jan. 13 at 2 p.m. in front of Chief Judge Doug Walker.

As part of his plea agreement, Clark pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribution and possession of illegal drugs, and to motor vehicle theft in an unrelated case.

On Nov. 4, Walker sentenced Clark to four years in a Durango halfway house to receive rehabilitation services instead of a seven prison term recommended by the 22nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office.