Plea deal offered to man accused of starting Roatcap Fire in southwest Colorado

CORTEZ, Colorado — A judge is holding off on approving a plea deal for a man charged with starting the Roatcap wildfire last October, saying he wants more assurances that victims will be compensated promptly.

The Cortez Journal reports (http://bit.ly/13Dczjy ) Roger "Bucky" Stratton was ready to accept a plea deal from prosecutors Friday that called for a two-year deferred sentence, with Stratton serving two years of probation and paying restitution to victims.

A judge didn't immediately accept the deal, saying he first needed more assurance that victims would receive adequate compensation by the end of the deferred sentence.

Another plea hearing is scheduled for June 4.

Investigators say embers from leaves burning on Stratton's property sparked the 400-acre Roatcap Fire last October, prompting evacuations that affected about 30 families.

Information from: Cortez Journal, http://www.cortezjournal.com/

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