Man accepts plea in cocaine case
A 43-year-old man pleaded guilty Tuesday in Routt County District Court to possessing less than 1 gram of cocaine as part of a deal reached with prosecutors.
Emilio Castillo, also known as Edmundo Portillo, of Steamboat Springs, pleaded guilty to possessing less than 1 gram of a Schedule 2 substance, a Class 6 felony. A charge of intent to distribute cocaine and five traffic charges were dropped as part of the agreement.
Castillo was pulled over Sept. 13 on U.S. Highway 40 near Milner because he was driving off the shoulder of the road, Undersheriff Dan Taylor said.
During a routine search of Castillo’s car, the deputy who arrested Castillo found 23 1/2 grams of cocaine, as well as an open container of alcohol and drug paraphernalia. Taylor also said the deputy could smell alcohol on the man’s breath.
Castillo could face as many as 18 months in jail and a $100,000 fine when he is sentenced at 1 p.m. Dec. 6.
District Judge Paul McLim–ans also told Castillo that he will be placed under one-year mandatory probation and be required to do 48 hours of community service. Castillo also will pay a $750 drug fine and lose his driver’s license for 90 days.
Castillo is known to have at least two other outstanding drug-related arrest warrants from Castle Rock and Adams County. Castillo is known to have as many as 17 aliases.
Larry Combs, Castillo’s attorney, interpreted for his client during Tuesday’s appearance.
— To reach Alexis DeLaCruz, call 871-4234
or e-mail adelacruz@steamboatpilot.com
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