Continuance granted in embezzlement case

CLOVIS — Curry County's former senior meals director, charged in February with embezzling thousands from the program, was scheduled this week for a trial in September.

The matter was set to go to trial later this month, but a continuance was granted due to a change in counsel for Cherisse Perez, 35.

Perez was indicted in March on one second-degree felony count of embezzlement (over $20,000) in connection with transactions from 2018. An investigation started in December, and by January she had departed her position as director of the Curry Resident Senior Meals Association.

She was represented by Jared Morris of the Harmon, Barnett and Morris law firm. Since the last court appearance, however, the firm has succeeded Greig and Richards as the city of Clovis’ law firm and designated Morris as the city attorney.

A motion to continue filed on Monday noted that retaining Morris as counsel creates a potential conflict of interest, as the city has previously aided in funding of CRSMA.

Tye Harmon was slated to continue the firm’s representation of Perez, but he was not familiar enough with the case to either pursue a plea agreement or prepare for trial.

The state, represented by Deputy District Attorney Jake Boazman, concurred with the assessment and the request for a continuance.

A docket call hearing scheduled for Wednesday morning will now be 9 a.m. Sept. 11 in the court of Judge Matthew Chandler. Perez is scheduled for a jury selection Sept. 16 and trial Sept. 18.