Colorado Newspaper Theft Follows Controversial Sexual Assault Report

Local restaurant owner admits to stealing over 200 copies of the Ouray County Plaindealer after it reported on a sexual assault case involving the police chief's relative.

Over 200 copies of the Ouray County Plaindealer were stolen from newspaper racks after the publication of a story about sexual assault charges filed against three men, including the police chief's relative.
The alleged sexual assault occurred at a party at the police chief's house in May 2023, where drugs and alcohol were present.
Paul Choate, a local restaurant owner, admitted to the theft and returned the newspapers with an apology.
The newspaper's owner and publisher, Mike Wiggins, vowed to find out who was responsible for the theft and received about $2,000 in donations after the incident.
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation is handling the sexual assault case to avoid any perception of bias.