COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — Former El Paso County sheriff Terry Maketa, who is accused of abusing his power and retaliating against employees, is set to go to trial May 31.
The Gazette reports (https://goo.gl/7vLsRD ) a defense attorney entered not guilty pleas Monday on Maketa's behalf. Maketa is facing a slew of charges, including extortion, victim tampering, false imprisonment and official misconduct.
He and one of his co-defendants, former undersheriff Paula Presley, are accused of coercing a woman to recant her claim that a deputy had punched her during a domestic dispute. The woman was then arrested.
Prosecutors also say Maketa threatened to end a $5.2 million contract with the jail health care provider unless the company fired an employee.
Another co-defendant, former commander Juan San Agustin, is charged with second-degree kidnapping and false imprisonment.
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Information from: The Gazette, http://www.gazette.com
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