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June 9, 2001
by Aspen C. Emmett A man accused of kidnapping two Cortez women at knife-point during a failed robbery attempt last February has agreed to enter a plea of guilty to one count of Class 4 felony robbery. Eighteen-year-old Timothy Emberson of Oahu, Hawaii, originally faced eight felony charges including first-degree kidnapping, aggravated robbery with intent to kill, maim or wound, criminal attempt and felony menacing. However, Thursday afternoon a subdued Emberson advised the court he was willing to enter a plea arrangement with the stipulation that he will serve eight years at Hilltop House community corrections center in Durango. "Those original charges have gone by the wayside based on this deal," District Attorney Joe Olt told the Journal. The plea is pending a pre-sentence investigation report and approval by District Court Judge Sharon Hansen. "I think it’s a fair sentence if it happens. But if it doesn’t, we’re going to have to go to court," Olt said. The victims were present Thursday and nodded their heads when the judge asked them if they were satified with the plea bargin. According to an arrest affidavit, a masked man, later identified as Emberson, entered the vehicle of two women who were leaving the parking lot at Gordy’s Family Restaurant on the evening of Feb. 12. The assailant reportedly brandished a knife with a 7-inch blade, demanded money from them and then ordered them to drive down Main Street to an ATM. The women explained that they had no money or credit cards and the man had the women drive him to the Sands Motel, where he rummaged through their purses and fled the vehicle. Neither woman was injured during the incident and nothing was reportedly stolen. An investigation by the Cortez Police Department led officers that same night to the Aneth Lodge, where they contacted Emberson, who fit the assailant’s description, and another individual, Leo Ladefian. However, there was not enough evidence to substantiate an arrest warrant. But at approximately 2 a.m. the next morning, Ladefian contacted the police and informed them that his roommate, Emberson, had indeed committed the crime. Emberson was arrested and subsequently confessed to the crime, according to the affidavit. Following a written confession, Emberson led officers to a location on North Mildred Road where he uncovered a ski mask, knife and gloves he had hidden under a pile of leaves. Emberson initially waived his right to a speedy trial during a court appearance in April to allow for a mental-health evaluation at the request of his attorney, Kyle Ipson. The findings were not discussed at the hearing Thursday. CPD Chief Roy Lane told the Journal in February that Emberson had been discharged two days prior to the incident from Wilderness Quest, an outdoor-based program that treats problematic behavior and substance abuse. Larry Wells with Wilderness Quest of Monticello, Utah, confirmed that Emberson was in the Four Corners area at the time because of the program but said Emberson was no longer a part of the organization at the time of the alleged crime. "He left on Feb. 10," Wells said, adding that there were no program supervisors in Cortez. "We’re a wilderness-based program out of Monticello and our operation is in the field," he said. Emberson was part of an adult program that provides substance-abuse treatment by putting individuals through intensive wilderness living aimed at changing their behavior. "Wilderness Quest is a program of love and compassion and a desire to help people take a different path," states the organization’s web site. "The adults come here voluntarily with the understanding that they’re here to get sober and work the 12-step program," Wells said. The program lasts six to nine weeks in the field, with a family component of four days. "If during the program an adult demonstrates that they are not really here to work the program ... then they are discharged from the program," Wells said. Because of confidentiality issues, Wells could not disclose the circumstances surrounding Emberson’s discharge. Ipson could not comment on whether Emberson might file a civil suit against Wilderness Quest. |
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