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Steamboat Springs — The fifth man arrested in what local authorities have dubbed a "Jamaican lottery scam" was given a deferred judgment Monday and is not expected to be prosecuted at the federal level.

Dean Mowatt, 31, was depicted by lawyer Leslie Goldstein as a "stranger to town" who was wrapped up in the ID theft scheme in an attempt to fit into the Jamaican community. Mowatt was accused of stealing credit card information from visiting guests at The Rockies Condominiums in Steamboat Springs, where he was a front desk clerk last winter. He faced six charges, including a charge under the Colorado Organized Crime Act.

On Monday, he pleaded guilty to an amended charge of gathering identity information by deception, a Class 5 felony.

Mowatt's deferred probation means he will have two years of supervised probation that, if successfully completed, will be the only punishment he faces. If he violates his parole, he could be sent to jail.

District Judge Shelly Hill accepted the plea agreement arranged by Goldstein, Mowatt and Deputy District Attorney Rusty Prindle, noting that Mowatt expressed regret during the process.

During the sentencing, Mowatt said, "I'd like to apologize for what I did. I'd still like to work with the law, and I'm thankful for what the court did for me."

Prindle said Mowatt is not likely to be prosecuted at the federal level because of his relatively minor involvement and his willingness to cooperate with authorities. Mowatt also had no criminal history before this arrest, Goldstein said. Only one of the cards Mowatt was accused of stealing was used illegally, Goldstein said, and that attempted theft was thwarted by an online retailer.

Mowatt spent 81 days in jail after being arrested on Mackinac Island, Mich., in early July. As a Jamaican citizen in the United States on a worker visa, Mowatt may now be deported by federal immigration officials.

Alleged co-conspirators Yanique Mendez, Catrina Graham, Simon Guthrie and Troy Cox have been indicted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Colorado.

- To reach Zach Fridell, call 871-4208 or e-mail zfridell@steamboatpilot.com