SAGUACHE — Center housing director Theresa (Audrey) Chavez pled guilty to a criminal misdemeanor one charge Tuesday in Saguache District Court, after accepting a plea deal that dismissed the felony charge against her.

District Judge Amanda Hopkins accepted the plea. A probation hearing for Chavez was scheduled for later this year.

Chavez and her husband Ruben were formally charged with second-degree burglary, a class three felony, and criminal mischief from between $700-1,000 in March 2018. The incident in question occurred Aug. 14-15, 2017.

District Attorney Crista Newmyer-Olsen filed charges against the Chavezes in September 2017. Last week Newmyer-Olsen dismissed charges against Ruben Chavez and issued the following statement:

“Based on the severe collateral consequences to the defendant and the appreciably greater culpability of the co-defendant, Theresa Chavez… the plea agreement entered into with the co-defendant to accept responsibility and dismiss the case against this defendant is in the best interests of justice.”

Some believe Chavez is an illegal immigrant and felony charges against him would have resulted in deportation.

Center Police Department reports on the case were backed up by several very clear body cam videos with sound, recorded during each of several visits to the trailer park by Center Police. The events detailed in the written reports occur just as they are described. In the videos Chavez offers three or four explanations of the renters’ status on the property.

Following the filing of the charges, the Chavezes delivered a letter of intent to sue the town of Center, alleging, among other claims, misconduct on the part of former Police Chief James Gowin. Town Administrator Brian Lujan said there has been no follow up on the Chavezes’ intent to sue.

Shortly after the Chavezes were charged, Police Chief Jim Gowin was reportedly accused of misconduct in an executive session meeting and resigned his position.