In a shocking turn of events, nearly all the copies of the Ouray County Plaindealer, a small-town Colorado newspaper, were stolen from newspaper racks on the same day that the paper published a story about charges being filed over alleged rapes at an underage drinking party hosted by the police chief. The owner and publisher of the Plaindealer, Mike Wiggins, expressed his determination to uncover the truth behind the theft, stating on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, that the attempt to silence or intimidate the newspaper had failed and that they would find out who was responsible.

The story that sparked such controversy revolved around felony sexual assault charges filed against three men, one of whom was a relative of the police chief. These charges stemmed from actions that allegedly occurred at a party in May 2023, where drugs and alcohol were present, according to court records. The suspects, aged 17, 18, and 19 at the time, were accused of assaulting a 17-year-old girl who reported the incidents. The Ouray County Plaindealer, in an effort to ensure that the community had access to this important news, posted the story on social media and removed the paywall on their website.

However, it appears that someone was determined to prevent the public from reading the story, as the newspapers were stolen from the racks throughout Ouray County. A garbage bag filled with the stolen newspapers was later returned to the Plaindealer, and supporters donated approximately $2,000 to the paper, showing solidarity and support. Despite the setback, the Plaindealer was able to distribute about 250 newspapers the following day, ensuring that the story would still reach the community.

Mike Wiggins, the owner and publisher, believed that the person who returned the stolen newspapers was also responsible for the theft itself. He reported this information to the police, who also had surveillance video footage of some of the thefts. The identity of the individual involved in the theft has not been disclosed. Ouray Police Chief Jeff Wood, whose stepson was allegedly involved in the assaults, did not respond to requests for comment.

This is not the first time that the Plaindealer has faced attempts to suppress their reporting. About three years ago, the newspaper's co-publisher, Erin McIntyre, wrote an article about a local campground violating COVID-19 restrictions. In response, someone taped over the coin slot on the newspaper rack at the campground and covered the plexiglass window with a sign asking for its removal. These incidents highlight the importance of a free press and the need for journalists to continue their work despite attempts at intimidation.

The Ouray County Plaindealer plans to address the theft of their newspapers in next week's edition, possibly including a column explaining why they took the incident so seriously and chose to reprint the paper. Mike Wiggins and Erin McIntyre, who have owned and published the Plaindealer for nearly five years, expressed their gratitude for the support they received from the community and their determination to continue shining a light on important issues. The newspaper intends to collaborate with the Montrose Daily Press to publish another run of papers, and they will update their readers once the reprints are available.

In conclusion, the theft of the Ouray County Plaindealer newspapers on the same day that the paper published a story about alleged rapes at a police chief's house has sparked outrage and determination within the community. Despite attempts to silence the newspaper, the Plaindealer remains committed to their mission of informing the public and uncovering the truth. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of a free press and the need to protect and support journalists in their pursuit of justice and accountability.