Trader a 'true threat'
Prosecutors ask judge to increase Coleman's bond to $500,000

By Leslie Wood
Staff Writer

Steve Coleman

GALLUP — The District Attorney's Office filed an emergency request in district court for Judge Robert Aragon to vacate a previously imposed bond for a higher amount in the Steve Coleman case.

The request comes a day before Coleman is expected to be released from the McKinley County Adult Detention Center on a $100,000 cash or surety bond.

In the motion, the office describes the accused arsonist as a "true threat to several individuals in particular, as well as the community at large."

A McKinley County grand jury indicted Coleman on Aug. 2 on 13 felony counts that include charges of dangerous use of an explosive and retaliation against a witness in connection with a fire at Peregrine Corrections and a shooting at a local sheriff's deputy's residence.

Coleman pleaded not guilty to the allegations on Aug. 11 and asked the court to reduce his no-bond status. During the hearing, Aragon agreed to set a new bond at $100,000 cash or surety. However, after further consideration, the district attorney's office requested Aragon replace the newly imposed amount with a $500,000 cash or surety bond due to Coleman's alleged "predisposition to violent behavior with those with whom he takes issue."

Aragon scheduled a hearing for Friday at 9 a.m. to discuss the matter. Several witnesses are also expected to testify during the hearing as to why Coleman should not be released.

In its motion, the state cites the following pending investigations and past incidents as evidence to support its request that Coleman's bond be increased.

1 — Coleman pleaded guilty in 1988 in Federal District Court in Albuquerque to at least one felony count of a violation of the Migratory Bird Act.

2 — Special Agent Trent Pederson, of the Gallup branch of the FBI, advises that the then Bureau, of Alcohol, Firearms and Tobacco considered Coleman a "person of interest" in a scheme involving the possession, sale and distribution of automatic firearms. (There was reportedly not enough evidence to sustain a criminal conviction, according to the motion.)

3 — Former McKinley County Sheriff's Sgt. Joe Diaz reported to the FBI that he had been threatened by Coleman with a handgun at his residence on July 12, 2005. According to court papers, Coleman did not have the firearm in his possession when he was apprehended the same day.

4 — Two .45-caliber pistols were reportedly found "secreted" beneath the driver's seat of Coleman's vehicle. These pistols were then allegedly matched to the bullet holes found in the residence of deputy James Maiorano.

5 — During search warrants conducted at Coleman's residence and business, officers reportedly found a "high-tech, supremely camouflaged 'sniper suit' commonly referred to as a 'Ghillie Suit' by military and law enforcement personnel." This despite Coleman's previous felony conviction, which prohibits him from owning or possessing a firearm.

6 — Peregrine Corrections' employees have also reportedly expressed "fear and concern" for their safety from retaliation by Coleman for their cooperation into allegations that he set fire to the facility.

The district attorney's office also cites Coleman's alleged history of substance abuse in its motion.

" ... the defendant has a history of substance abuse, which, when taken in concert with his violent behavioral traits, and his personal or constructive possession of such items as firearms, live ammunition, a camouflaged sniper suit, several law enforcement agency badges, and burglary tools, the state submits that good cause exists to review the defendants conditions of release and to impose the increased amount of bail necessary to either effectively prohibit defendant's release from pretrial incarceration, or with which to give him sufficient pause to consider restraining his malevolent behavior toward others in the community," the motion reads.

During a hearing last week, Coleman's attorney expressed concern for his client's safety while in jail; however, Chief Deputy District Attorney Michael Calligan said he had no evidence that Coleman was in any danger.