craigdailypress.com

A Craig woman who admitted to smashing two Colorado State Patrol vehicles with a hammer in July pleaded guilty to one felony charge in the case in a tearful appearance in District Court on Tuesday.

Megan Valenzuela, 18, accepted a plea agreement that holds her responsible for one Class 5 felony count of criminal mischief, but spares her from prison time at the Colorado Department of Corrections. Valenzuela's remaining charges of a misdemeanor of obstructing government property and a traffic violation of tampering with a motor vehicle will be dropped, according to terms of the agreement.

District Judge Paul McLimans deferred Valenzuela's sentencing until a pre-sentencing investigation is completed.

She may face restitution charges of up to $4,000 for damages to the vehicles. She also may face up to two years mandatory parole and fines up to $1,000. McLimans is expected to rule on the case during a Jan. 19 hearing.

According to court documents, Valenzuela admitted to police that she had damaged two patrol cars on the night of July 29 because she was frustrated at police for not letting her speak to her ex-boyfriend, Jonathon Crook, who was then incarcerated in the Moffat County Jail.

Crook, 23, was in custody on alleged domestic violence charges against Valenzuela from an incident that occurred a few days earlier. Victims of domestic violence are placed under a mandatory restraining order from their alleged assailant.

According to court testimony, Valenzuela said she had been drinking and was high on methamphetamine leading up to the July 29 incident.