News (Media Awareness Project) - US CO: Auto Business Forfeited After Drug Sale |
| Title: | US CO: Auto Business Forfeited After Drug Sale |
| Published On: | 2002-05-01 |
| Source: | Pueblo Chieftain (CO) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-01-23 10:54:02 |
AUTO BUSINESS FORFEITED AFTER DRUG SALE
ALAMOSA - Sports Auto Center was ordered forfeited for the sale of drugs on
the premises and will go on the auction block, likely in about 30 days.
In November 2000, the auto center's owner, 70-year-old William Pearsall,
was arrested for selling 28 pounds of marijuana to two undercover agents.
Immediately following the controlled buy, Pearsall was arrested.
In Alamosa District Court on Monday, Pearsall claimed there was "no money
involved" in the deal, and that the two buyers "just grabbed it (the
marijuana) and ran."
Saying he was under stress and in shock, Pearsall was vague about his
guilty plea to possession of more than 8 ounces of marijuana, for which he
spent 45 days in jail, and about signing a forfeiture document. He said
officers "gave me no choice. It was sign it or else." He blamed his
attorney for "not advising me of the seriousness" of the situation.
Pearsall claimed he sold the property, located at 8196 Stockton Ave., in
March 2000 to Moses Vargas, but Vargas did not record the deed until July
11, 2001. According to the deed, he paid only $1.
As a result, Vargas was joined in the forfeiture action but never responded
to court queries. He was declared in default and the judgment entered to
sell the Sports Auto Center and turn the proceeds over to the sheriff's
department. (Vargas ran for Alamosa County sheriff four years ago and has
picked up a candidate's packet for the same office this year.)
It was the first time in Alamosa County history that a piece of real estate
has been forfeited for drug sales, Sheriff Dave Stong said.
At the same time District Attorney Peter Comar filed forfeiture proceedings
on the Sports Auto Center, he filed a forfeiture action on the Tequila
Rush, a local bar that lost its license in the wake of drug sale charges
against its owner, Anthony DeHerrera, 33.
DeHerrera has deeded the business over to the city for sale but the city
council has not decided whether to accept the business, which has a bank
loan on it that must be paid off.
ALAMOSA - Sports Auto Center was ordered forfeited for the sale of drugs on
the premises and will go on the auction block, likely in about 30 days.
In November 2000, the auto center's owner, 70-year-old William Pearsall,
was arrested for selling 28 pounds of marijuana to two undercover agents.
Immediately following the controlled buy, Pearsall was arrested.
In Alamosa District Court on Monday, Pearsall claimed there was "no money
involved" in the deal, and that the two buyers "just grabbed it (the
marijuana) and ran."
Saying he was under stress and in shock, Pearsall was vague about his
guilty plea to possession of more than 8 ounces of marijuana, for which he
spent 45 days in jail, and about signing a forfeiture document. He said
officers "gave me no choice. It was sign it or else." He blamed his
attorney for "not advising me of the seriousness" of the situation.
Pearsall claimed he sold the property, located at 8196 Stockton Ave., in
March 2000 to Moses Vargas, but Vargas did not record the deed until July
11, 2001. According to the deed, he paid only $1.
As a result, Vargas was joined in the forfeiture action but never responded
to court queries. He was declared in default and the judgment entered to
sell the Sports Auto Center and turn the proceeds over to the sheriff's
department. (Vargas ran for Alamosa County sheriff four years ago and has
picked up a candidate's packet for the same office this year.)
It was the first time in Alamosa County history that a piece of real estate
has been forfeited for drug sales, Sheriff Dave Stong said.
At the same time District Attorney Peter Comar filed forfeiture proceedings
on the Sports Auto Center, he filed a forfeiture action on the Tequila
Rush, a local bar that lost its license in the wake of drug sale charges
against its owner, Anthony DeHerrera, 33.
DeHerrera has deeded the business over to the city for sale but the city
council has not decided whether to accept the business, which has a bank
loan on it that must be paid off.
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