Plea hearing again delayed in Bend grocer’s drug case

A plea hearing has been delayed until January for a northeast Bend grocery store owner accused of selling methamphetamine out of his store.

Antonio Rico-Sanchez, 49, was arrested last February and indicted in March on nearly two-dozen counts after a year-long investigation. He has been awaiting further proceedings out of custody.

Police said the owner of Rico’s Groceries and Rico’s Tacos was selling meth out of his Third Street storefront, including trafficking in SNAP (food assistance) cards.

A representative of the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office said Tuesday’s scheduled plea hearing was postponed to Jan. 26 due to a motion filed by the defense last Friday. She said the reason stated was that “the defense counsel and DA’s office are still exploring a resolution to this case.”