Ex-deputy sentenced to 182 days in jail

PORTALES -- A former Roosevelt County sheriff's deputy on Monday was sentenced to 182 days in the Roosevelt County jail for being in possession of stolen property.

Chris McCasland, 34, was found guilty by District Judge Drew Tatum during a two-hour bench trial on Feb. 15.

The charges arose from allegations McCasland was involved in 2014 burglaries in Angel Fire while he worked for its police department. He was indicted by a Roosevelt County grand jury last August for felony charges of receiving stolen property of $500 or more, but the charge was later amended to reflect the property value of $250 or less.

Tatum placed McCasland into immediate custody and also granted an appeal bond of $1,000 cash only. McCasland’s attorney, Dean Border of Albuquerque, stated he would file the appeal bond within the hour, which would allow McCasland to be free pending his appeal.

We will have more information in Wednesday's newspaper.