Judge asks for more time in deciding if charges to move forward against former El Paso Co. sheriff

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – It will be another couple weeks before a judge rules whether there is probable cause to move forward on charges against the former El Paso County sheriff and two other high-ranking officers in the office.

Former El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa and former Undersheriff Paula Presley were indicted on nine charges that include kidnapping, extortion and tampering with evidence.

Former EPCSO Commander Juan San Agustin faces kidnapping and false imprisonment charges.

Maketa and Presley are accused of pressuring a deputy’s girlfriend to change her story regarding an alleged domestic violence incident that left the girlfriend with bruising.

But after going through the sheriff’s office, she was ultimately arrested for domestic violence, driving under the influence and harassment charges. However, no sobriety test was ever performed.

The indictments of the three say they all worked together to push the case against the woman forward despite there being little to no evidence the investigation should continue.

Marketa and Presley are also accused of threatening to end a contract with a correctional facility health care company whose employee declined to run Presley’s campaign for sheriff.

Denver7’s news partners at KRDO report another hearing is scheduled in the case for Dec. 19. Defense attorneys want some of the charges dropped altogether.