Landlord finds pot, stolen gun, police report

Landlord finds pot, stolen gun, police report

November 22, 2001

Journal Staff Report

Plumbing problems at an Echo Basin residence allegedly led to the discovery of a missing pistol, illegal drugs and drug-making materials last month.

According to a county-court clerk, James Shugert of Mancos has already had a preliminary hearing on charges relating to the incident and was bound over to district court, where he will be arraigned Dec. 6. Joy Shugert, his wife, is scheduled for a disposition hearing in county court Nov. 28.

James and Joy Shugert have both been charged with numerous felony counts, including possession and cultivation of marijuana, theft of a gun, attempted manufacturing of methamphetamine and possession of an altered firearm, stemming from search warrants that produced a considerable amount of evidence, according to police.

According to police records, Dan Bjorkman, owner of Echo Basin, contacted the Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office Oct. 12 about a missing .357 Ruger pistol and holster that had disappeared from his pick-up.

While working on a plumbing problem under the bathhouse portion of the Shugerts’ home, he was given permission to enter the home to work on the washer. Upon entering the bedroom, he reportedly saw plants under grow lights in a closet, plus his pistol on the closet shelf with the serial number ground off, according to a police report.

MCSO Deputy Eric Trap responded to the call as well as Brooks Bennett of the Drug Task Force Team. While Bennett went for a search warrant, the Shugerts returned to their residence. According to the report, James Shugert admitted the pot plants were his, but denied knowledge of the gun.

On Oct. 13 the MCSO executed a search warrant, seizing more than 8 ounces of marijuana, growing equipment, a fully-loaded .375 Ruger with the serial numbers ground off, and a Dremel rotary tool. Based on observation of chemicals used in manufacturing methamphetamine, Bennett obtained a second search warrant.

Following the searches, Bennett interviewed the Shugerts, who reportedly said they had received the gun from their neighbor, Jeffrey Wyckoff. James Shugert said he wanted the gun for his wife’s personal protection and for shooting skunks. Wyckoff, when interviewed, denied the allegations and said James Shugert was lying.

Wyckoff was not charged, according to court records.