Plea deal may save Basalt man’s life, attorney says

Aspen Daily News ^ | October 4, 2011 | Chad Abraham

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A Basalt man who faces a threat against his life in his home country of Guatemala pleaded guilty Monday to disorderly conduct in Pitkin County District Court in a deal that may allow him to get amnesty.

Esbilmer Geovanny Perez-Ruano, 28, was originally charged with felony criminal impersonation and traffic violations after a Colorado State Patrol trooper pulled him over June 20. The trooper wrote Perez-Ruano was driving by himself in an HOV lane. Perez-Ruano, who is in the country illegally, allegedly gave the trooper a fake name when he was pulled over on Highway 82.

Perez-Ruano, who has been in jail since his arrest, also has a hold from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, meaning a deportation hearing is likely in his near future.

As part of the plea deal, he pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct, a petty offense, which keeps him eligible to petition for amnesty given his violent environment in Guatemala.

“It’s an immigration-safe plea,” said his attorney, Garth McCarty of Glenwood Springs.

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McCarty also was reluctant to discuss the case, given the danger his client faces. He did say the threat against Perez-Ruano was verifiable and that his life will be in danger if he is deported. The whole world knows now where he is at, now they made this press release known to all who have the internet across the world.

[EricT.]

Basalt man?!? Did he look at Medusa’s face?

[Oztrich Boy]

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