Two Durango men who entered a home pretending to be Drug Enforcement Agency agents as part of a ruse to steal a large stash of medical marijuana pleaded guilty Friday to robbery.
Lorne Heintze, 27, and Leonard Michael Powell, 49, face probation or up to two years in community corrections after signing a plea agreement with the 6th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
District Judge William Herringer must decide whether to accept the plea agreements, and, if so, what sentence to impose Nov. 18 for Heintze and Dec. 2 for Powell.
Heintze and Powell powered their way into a home about 3 a.m. May 17 south of Durango to steal medical marijuana.
Once inside, they yelled, “DEA, get on the ground,” and placed two occupants in handcuffs and covered their heads with pillowcases, according to an arrest affidavit filed in 6th Judicial District Court.
The intruders left with a large Rubbermaid tub full of marijuana.
Before leaving, Heintze accidentally sprayed himself in the face with pepper spray, according to the affidavit.
Charges against a third suspect, Melissa Renee Garippo, 27, were dropped. She is dealing with unrelated charges in another state.
shane@durangoherald.com
