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Former county deputy Terry Colwell convicted of criminal trespass

Terry Colwell was convicted of criminal trespass.

A former Lincoln County deputy was convicted this week of criminal trespass connected to a complaint of missing cash and firearms.

After a one-day jury trail in 12th Judicial District Court with Judge Steve Guthrie presiding, Terry Colwell, 36, was found guilty of criminal trespass.

A release from the office of District Attorney John Sugg gave these details:

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On July 11, 2018, New Mexico State Police received a request from the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office to investigate an alleged larceny. The agency was informed that a Lincoln County resident reported missing cash and firearms after a search warrant was executed at his residence by county deputies.

The unnamed victim reported that once the search of his residence was completed, he and all of the deputies left the residence. When he returned home with his son, he noticed a sheriff's vehicle parked in front of his house with all the lights off, and that the front door of his home was open.

The victim testified that the door was closed when he left to pick up his son, according to the release.

As the victim stepped onto his front porch, he saw then-deputy Terry Colwell inside his house walking at a fast pace toward him. The victim questioned Colwell as to why he was in the house. The deputy responded that he lost his flashlight inside the home during the execution of the search warrant.

 While the victim said he was not comfortable with Colwell being in his house without permission, he allowed Colwell to continue to look for the lost flashlight, but no flashlight was ever found.

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The victim did not report the incident untl the next day, when he testified that he found firearms and money missing, The firearms ultimately were found under a golf cart in the garage, but the money never was recovered.

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Colwell denied entering the residence and denied taking any of the money or guns, the release stated.

He faces up to 364 days in jail at a sentencing hearing scheduled for November. Colwell announced his intention to appeal the conviction. He no longer is employed by the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office.

Reporter Dianne Stallings can be contacted at dstallings@ruidosonews.com.