Kristine Rogers, the managing public defender for Grand County, was charged Tuesday, Oct. 8 with three misdemeanors following what authorities describe as an illegal attempt to evict tenants from her property in Spanish Valley.
Rogers, 71, faces misdemeanor charges of criminal trespass, assault and damaging or interrupting a communication device, according to charging documents filed in Seventh District Court in San Juan County.
Rogers, who lives in Sandy, was not immediately available for comment when contacted by The Times-Independent. However, in an email to KSL TV on Tuesday night, she said she was “stunned by the allegations.”
“The probable cause statement is inaccurate,” Rogers wrote to KSL TV. “I did not and would never engage in the behavior alleged. I have faith that justice will prevail.”
The charges stem from a Sept. 19 incident in which Rogers allegedly entered her tenants’ home after being explicitly warned by law enforcement that she would need to follow formal eviction procedures.
According to court documents, Rogers had contacted the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office that day, informing them of her intention to remove the tenants from her property. A sheriff’s deputy advised her that she could not forcibly remove the tenants without going through the legal eviction process.
While a deputy was on his way to the property to “keep the peace,” dispatchers informed him that an assault had been reported at the residence.
Upon arrival, the deputy spoke with both Rogers and the tenants. According to prosecutors, Rogers “banged on the door repeatedly, and when no one answered, she unlocked the door with her key, entered the residence, and began yelling at the tenants to leave, stating that she would not go until they did.”
One of the tenants began recording the confrontation on a cell phone. Prosecutors allege that Rogers slapped the tenant’s hand and knocked the phone to the ground, leading to the assault and communication interference charges.
Rogers serves as the managing public defender for Grand County, representing individuals who cannot afford legal counsel.
A court hearing is scheduled for Oct. 28.
This is a developing story.
