Bond reduced for theft suspect

In Cheyenne County district court on Wednesday Sean Gdowski entered a plea of not guilty to four counts lodged against him in connection with rural break-ins and drug crime in Cheyenne County. Gdowski is charged with one count of theft by receiving stolen property, a class three felony, one count of criminal attempt of possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver within 1,000 feet of a school, a class two felony, possession of methamphetamine, a class four felony, and criminal possession of a financial transaction device, a class three felony.

If convicted, Gdowski could face a maximum of 20 years in prison and a $25,000 fine for the class three felony charges, a maximum of five years and a $10,000 fine for the class four felony charge and a maximum of 50 years imprisonment with a minimum of one year imprisonment for the class two felony charge.

At the time of the hearing, Gdowski was still in custody. Gdowski asked for a bond reduction from the initial amount of $150,000 to $75,000.

Gdowski’s attorney Steve Elmshaeuser commented that his client had been cooperative during his time in custody. He added that Gdowski and the state were working on a plea agreement that would significantly reduce the charges lodged against his client.

“He has taken responsibility for his actions,” Elmshaeuser said.

The state did not oppose the bond reduction.

“The defendant has been very cooperative with the state,” said deputy Cheyenne County attorney Jonathon Stellar.

The court agreed to reduce the bond to $75,000.

Gdowski was one of the four suspects wanted in connection with several rural burglaries in Cheyenne County who were arrested in February in Edgewater, Colo. The other three suspects were Martika Biggart, Anne Marie Preston and Brandon Terry.

Authorities obtained a search warrant for a home in Dalton, where it was known that Gdowski and Biggart, were residing. Authorities sought the warrant after allegedly finding some items linked to at least one recent rural burglary in trash from their residence.

Law enforcement executed the search warrant on Jan. 29, according arrest warrant affidavits. Officials reportedly found many items inside the home which were previously reported stolen including air compressors and cordless drills.

During the search, law enforcement allegedly found evidence that Terry, 27, and Preston, 26, were also living at the residence. One of the bedrooms in the residence contained links to Preston and Terry, such as mail and credit cards.

Additional drug paraphernalia and mail addressed to Terry were found in the initial trash search, according to the reports.

Biggart, age 23 formerly of Dalton, was charged with theft by receiving stolen property, possession of methamphetamine and criminal possession of financial transaction devices. The charges are class three, four and four felonies, respectively.

Arraignment has been scheduled for April 8 at 2:30 p.m.

Preston, formerly of Dalton, pled no contest last week to attempted possession of methamphetamine, a class one misdemeanor. She was sentenced to 40 days in county jail. Preston entered in to a plea agreement in exchange for reduced charges. She was initially charged with attempted possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver within 1000 feet of a School Zone and possession of methamphetamine.

Terry, Aurora, Colo. was arraigned on one count of burglary a class three felony and pled not guilty on Wednesday. He was initially charged with attempted possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver within 1000 feet of a school zone and possession of methamphetamine. These are class two and four felonies, respectively.