Current:Home > ScamsColorado newspaper copies stolen from stands on same day a rape report is released -GrowthProspect
Colorado newspaper copies stolen from stands on same day a rape report is released
View
Date:2025-04-12 13:28:43
Almost all the copies of a small-town Colorado newspaper were stolen from racks. The theft took place on the same day the paper was releasing a story about reported sexual assault at the local police chief’s house during a late-night underage party in May 2023.
The Ouray County Plaindealer said the newspapers on all but one of their newspaper racks across Ridgway, Colorado were stolen, on Thursday.
"It's pretty clear that someone didn't want the community to read the news this week," the paper wrote.
Owner and publisher Mike Wiggins promised to get to the bottom of the theft.
"Someone didn't like this edition of @ocplaindealer. (Guess which article.) So they stole nearly every newspaper out of our racks in Ouray County. If you hoped to silence or intimidate us, you failed miserably. We'll find out who did this. And another press run is imminent," Wiggins said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
On Friday, the Ouray County Sheriff's Office said a man had been cited for the theft of the newspapers.
The Plaindealer reported that Paul Choate, 41, admitted to police that he stole more than 200 copies of the paper. Choate returned the newspapers to the publisher on Thursday evening, with an apology, the paper reported.
"The suspect is not a member or relative of local law enforcement and not associated with the defendants in the recent reported sexual assault," the sheriff's office said.
Sexual assault allegation against police chief's stepson and two others
The front-page report that was featured in the stolen newspaper reported on allegations made by a 17-year-old that alleged she was raped multiple times during a party with Chief Wood's stepson and two other suspects at his home.
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation is investigating the allegations. In a press release, CBI said three individuals were arrested in connection to the sexual assault allegations, one minor who was not named, and Gabriel Trujillo, 20, and Ashton Whittington, 18.
Since the case involves a minor, CBI said the arrest warrants have been sealed. However, despite being a minor at the time of the incident, the Plaindealer said they chose to name the chief's stepson "because of the severity of the allegations." The incident took place on May 14, 2023, and the stepson would have turned 18 a few days later, the Plaindealer reported.
According to the report, the victim told investigators that she screamed and fought back as people slept upstairs.
The Plaindealer reported that the 17-year-old told investigators the party involved drugs, and drinking. She said she had gone in and out of consciousness and was raped at least three times by two different people in a bedroom and bathroom.
Chief Wood did not respond to USA TODAY's request for comment on the theft and the allegations.
veryGood! (32)
Related
- Megan Fox's ex Brian Austin Green tells Machine Gun Kelly to 'grow up'
- Toyota recalls 11,000 Lexus SUVs for head restraint issue: See affected models
- Tesla Bay Area plant ordered to stop spewing toxic emissions after repeated violations
- Indictment accuses former Uvalde schools police chief of delays while shooter was “hunting” children
- Meet the volunteers risking their lives to deliver Christmas gifts to children in Haiti
- Salmon slices sold at Kroger and Pay Less stores recalled for possible listeria
- As LGBTQ+ Pride’s crescendo approaches, tensions over war in Gaza expose rifts
- First officer is convicted of murder since Washington state law eased prosecution of police
- Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
- As LGBTQ+ Pride’s crescendo approaches, tensions over war in Gaza expose rifts
Ranking
- Working Well: When holidays present rude customers, taking breaks and the high road preserve peace
- Beyond Yoga Sale: The Jumpsuit That Makes Me Look 10 Pounds Slimmer Is 50% Off & More Deals
- NCAA paid former president Mark Emmert $4.3 million in severance as part of departure in 2023
- Survivor of Parkland school massacre wins ownership of shooter’s name in lawsuit settlement
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- Judge sets June 2025 trial date for Bryan Kohberger, suspect in Idaho college murders
- Bronny James drafted by Lakers in second round of NBA draft
- Baseus power banks recalled after dozens of fires, 13 burn injuries
Recommendation
Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco after 1 year together: 'Forever begins now'
Baseus power banks recalled after dozens of fires, 13 burn injuries
Judge sets June 2025 trial date for Bryan Kohberger, suspect in Idaho college murders
Texas Supreme Court upholds ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors
McKinsey to pay $650 million after advising opioid maker on how to 'turbocharge' sales
Flouting Biden Pause, Agency OK’s Largest LNG Terminal in US
Deadly protests over Kenya finance bill prompt President William Ruto to drop support for tax hikes
Mia Goth and Ti West are on a mission to convert horror skeptics with ‘MaXXXine’