Rodriguez Pleads Not Guilty in Hitching Post Fire

44 year old Robert Rodriguez, accused of setting the September 2010 fire that destroyed the Hitching Post in Cheyenne, pleaded not guilty before Chief U.S. District Court Judge Nancy Freudenthal Tuesday. A federal indictment alleges that Rodriguez intentionally set a fire that destroyed the Hitching Post  to further mail and wire fraud. He faces a federal charge of arson and of using fire in the commission of another felony offense, aiding and abetting. A trial date has been set for December 3rd. If convicted on both charges, Rodriguez faces no less than 15 years and no more than 30 years in prison, a possible fine of up to $500,000 and 3 years probation. Court documents indicate Rodriguez was arrested in Sandoval County in New Mexico. A complaint that might describe what led investigators to him has been sealed.