Former Sheriff Maketa Appears In Court To Face Extortion Charges
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — A former Colorado sheriff and two subordinates made their first court appearances since being indicted on charges including extortion, false imprisonment, official misconduct and kidnapping.
Terry Maketa, former Undersheriff Paula Presley and former sheriff's commander Juan San Agustin said little during the Thursday morning hearing.
Maketa resigned in 2014 from his post in El Paso County. A grand jury indicted all three in May.
Maketa and Presley are accused of threatening to terminate a contract with a company if the company didn't fire an employee.
Maketa, Presley and San Augustin also are accused of coercing a woman who was involved in a domestic dispute with a deputy to recant her story. The woman was then arrested.
Maketa led the department for 12 years, the last of which was marked by accusations of sexual favoritism and intimidation.
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