Attorney assigned for man charged in slaying of Millard Co. deputy Fox

FILLMORE — A judge has appointed an attorney for a man charged in connection with the killing of Millard County sheriff's deputy Josie Greathouse Fox.

Ruben Chavez-Reyes, 36, asked 4th District Judge Donald Eyre for a public defender at a court appearance Wednesday.

Chavez-Reyes is charged with obstruction of justice, a second-degree felony. Authorities, however, have not said specifically what they believe he did on Jan. 5, when Fox was fatally shot during a traffic stop near Delta.

Roberto Miramontes Roman, 37, who is charged with aggravated murder in the slaying, was allegedly driving a Cadillac registered to Chavez-Reyes when Fox stopped him. In addition, a Corvette owned by Chavez-Reyes was discovered in Salt Lake City the next morning carrying one of the Cadillac's license plates.

Chavez-Reyes listed a Cadillac and a Corvette among his possessions in court papers requesting a public defender.

According to the court documents, he earned $10 an hour working at Steve's Tire & Oil in Fillmore. The shop's manager, Brian Stevens, said Chavez-Reyes worked there for about two years and was a good employee.

"We really didn't have any problems at all with him," Stevens said. "The whole thing came as quite a surprise to everyone in the community."

Chavez-Reyes stated in his affidavit that he sometimes made $100 as a "security guard for private events."

He also listed tools worth "at least" $1,000. Next to one man's name in the handwritten document, Chavez-Reyes wrote: "He thinks Im goning for the chamber gas thas why he try to stole from me my property including me tools."

His appointed attorney, James Slavens, could not be reached for clarification of that statement.

Chavez-Reyes and Roman are due back in court March 15.

e-mail: pkoepp@desnews.com