Teenage car thief accepts plea deal
A 19-year-old Cortez teen is likely to be sentenced to a 24-month marijuana treatment program after stealing two automobiles in five months.
Appearing in custody at a scheduled arraignment hearing on Tuesday, July 7, Carl Wright pleaded guilty to misdemeanor theft and felony trespass as part of a deferred judgment plea deal offered by prosecutors. The plea deal requires that Wright complete a two-year juvenile-based program for driving under the influence of cannabis.
District Court Judge Todd Plewe described the plea deal as rare, ordering Wright to be held without bond until sentencing on Aug. 20.
“It’s time for you to grow up,” Plewe told Wright. “You’re an adult now.”
Court records reveal that Wright was first charged with aggravated motor vehicle theft in connection to an Oct. 18 incident. During a second offense, on March 21, Wright was again charged with aggravated motor vehicle theft, possession of marijuana by a minor and theft. He picked up a third case involving two trespass charges on May 19.
Alleged sex offender skips hearing
A 19-year-old Grand Junction man failed to appear at an arraignment hearing on multiple sex charges Tuesday. A bench warrant was issued for his arrest.
Facing a felony and two misdemeanor sex assault charges in connection to incidents that occurred in June and July of 2014, Michael Sanchez failed to appear on Tuesday, resulting in the forfeiture of a $15,000 bond. Plewe then increased the bond to $30,000.
Defense attorney Katie Whitney explained that her client mistakenly went to the Montezuma County courthouse on Mildred Road instead of the district courthouse on Main Street. Plewe initially rejected Whitney’s plea to reinstate her client’s bond.
“I don’t won’t to inconvenience the victim because the defendant is tardy,” said Plewe.
At a subsequent hearing on Wednesday, the court reinstated the initial bond.
Sanchez also faces misdemeanor criminal mischief and trespass charges stemming from an incident in August 2014.
Drug dealer gets prison
With a criminal history dating back more than 15 years, an Arizona woman has been ordered to serve 10 years in prison on a drug charge.
Sheriff’s deputies arrested Melody Gillenwater, 34, after a traffic stop on April 2. Found to be in possession of more than 200 grams, or about 7 ounces, of meth, Gillenwater was responsible for importing drugs into Montezuma County, prosecutors said.
Acknowledging that Gillenwater was likely part of a larger drug distribution ring, a judge told her that he had no qualms about the lengthy sentence, saying the powerful drug was responsible for destroying families and killing users.
Spanning from 1999 to 2008, Gillenwater’s previous convictions include robbery, theft, burglary, trespass, drug and forgery charges, prosecutors said.
Meth user sentenced in robbery
After pleading guilty to menacing in connection to robbing a teenager at knifepoint, a New Mexico man has been sentenced to two years in a halfway house.
If convicted at trial, Jorge Dominguez, 34, faced a maximum 32 years in prison on drug and robbery charges, but the hard time was avoided because of a plea deal offered by prosecutors. Dominguez was also ordered to pay some $8,000 in restitution.
Court records reveal the defendant was initially arrested for possessing and using meth after a traffic stop on July 4, 2014. While out of custody on a $500 bond, Dominguez was arrested again after robbing a 14-year-old at knifepoint of $260 in cash on Aug. 10.
In that case, police allege that Dominguez repeatedly kicked the victim before throwing a cinder block through the victim’s windshield as he tried to flea the scene.
Prosecutors said evidence in the case showed that Dominguez was “out of control” while under the influence of meth.
Trial date set in assault on jailors
A 22-year-old man from Utah has pleaded not guilty to three charges of assaulting jailors.
Appearing out of custody on a $5,000 bond, Veranno Silas of Blanding appeared at an arraignment hearing on Tuesday. Silas faces felony and misdemeanor counts of assaulting jailors and first responders with bodily fluids on April 28. Expected to last two days, a trial date was set for Oct. 19.
Restitution order added to prison term
Serving two years in prison, a Cortez man has been ordered to pay some $2,700 in restitution for medical expenses and property damage.
Sidney Martinez, 32, of Cortez received the maximum two years in prison with credit for time served last month on an assault charge. This week, the restitution order was added.
The victim reportedly had her teeth knocked out while holding a child during the March 3rd incident at a local hotel.
Tobie Baker
