Pueblo City Councilman-elect Vicente Martinez Ortega in court as records remain sealed
PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) -- In early November, Vicente Martinez Ortega was elected to serve on the Pueblo City Council representing District 4, the Bessemer area of Pueblo, but a new hearing in mid-January may affect his future on the council.
Since his election, KRDO learned Martinez Ortega was charged with felony criminal mischief for allegedly causing $1,000 to $5,000 in damage to city property in May of 2021. The damage occurred at the controversial Christopher Columbus statue on Abriendo Avenue in Pueblo.
Friday, Martinez Ortega was scheduled to have a plea hearing. If Martinez Ortega is convicted of a felony, questions would remain about his ability to serve on City Council.
According to the Pueblo City Charter, an elected official convicted of a felony is required to forfeit their position. "A person who has been convicted of a felony shall not become a candidate for the Council or Mayor," says Section 2-4 of the city charter.
During Friday's plea hearing, Martinez Ortega's defense presented an offer to plead to a class one misdemeanor, but the defense requested unsupervised probation as part of that deal. The judge denied unsupervised probation, and a continuance was set for the case until January 19. Prosecutors in Pueblo County didn't weigh in on the proposed deal.
In November, Martinez Ortega told KRDO the charge was politically motivated.
“I do want to let the people of Bessemer know that Political Prosecutions still do happen,” Martinez Ortega said. “What this shows us is that it is super unfair to folks who get elected, win a position, and now they are under such a microscope because of their political activism."
He expressed full confidence that his court proceedings will not hinder his ability to serve the people of Pueblo.
"I will be sworn in on January 10th as a City Councilman," said Martinez Ortega.
KRDO has attempted to obtain an arrest affidavit and video evidence of Martinez Ortega damaging city property. The 10th Judicial Courts have no such affidavit or video, nor do the 4th Judicial Courts, the prosecuting office in this case.
Pueblo Police told KRDO they turned over both pieces of information to the courts months ago. They could not provide either piece due to the case being an "active investigation."
Martinez Ortega is scheduled to be sworn in as a City Council member on January 10th. A spokesperson with the City of Pueblo told KRDO todays proceedings will not prohibit Martinez Ortega from being sworn in on Monday night.
