Ex-Journal employee pleads guilty in sting
A former Cortez Journal employee has pleaded guilty in connection to an undercover drug sting.
Gabriel Gallegos, 33, of Cortez, pleaded guilty to a drug distribution charge last week. As part of a plea deal, Gallegos could receive up to four years in prison when sentenced on May 7.
Court records reveal a Cortez police informant helped set up an undercover drug buy with Gallegos on Nov. 21, 2014. Police reported buying 2 grams of meth at a residence within 1,000 feet of a local school.
Man pleads guilty in debit card theft
A known meth user pleaded guilty last week to stealing $1,000 from a man who hired him to do mechanic work.
Jerry Smith, 38, of Cortez, pleaded guilty to unauthorized use of a debit card. He could receive 12 months of probation in sentencing May 7.
Court records reveal that Smith was nabbed after he withdrew $1,000 on separate occasions using a stolen debit card.
Teen may avoid jail after injuring 2, DUI
A Cortez teenager charged with injuring two in an alcohol-related automobile crash is likely to avoid jail.
Orlando Arviso, 19, pleaded guilty last week to misdemeanor DUI and careless-driving charges. As part of a plea deal, Arviso could receive a suspended jail sentence and 24 months of probation in sentencing May 19.
In April, Arviso was involved in a head-on collision with a vehicle driven by a 70-year-old man on U.S. 160. Two passengers in the man’s auto were seriously injured, including one who suffered a spinal injury.
Alleged joyrider back behind bars
After failing to appear on charges of motor vehicle theft, a 21-year-old Cortez woman is back behind bars.
Last fall, Tonya Chavez pleaded guilty to aggravated motor vehicle theft, she failed to appear at a December sentencing hearing. She was arrested on March 10. A new sentencing date was set on April 7.
Prosecutors said Chavez took a vehicle from an E. Downey Street in November 2013, and didn’t return the auto for 12 days.
The initial plea deal would have sentenced Chavez to 18 months in jail and a year of parole.
tbaker@cortezjournal.com
