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Former Marine sentenced to probation

Must pay $16,500, write apologies
Jones

A former Marine, who vandalized businesses and set dogs loose in May, was sentenced Friday to four years probation.

Kenneth Jones visited Durango in May and went on a drunken bender. He caused heavy damage at 4X4 Auto Sales, where he set a small fire in the building and broke out windows in vehicles.

Jones also smashed doors and windows at Healthy Hounds & Fat Cats, setting 12 dogs loose. All the dogs were later found.

Both businesses are in the 21000 block of U.S. Highway 160 west.

In September, Jones pleaded guilty to second-degree burglary – a felony – and criminal mischief – a misdemeanor.

Jones has been discharged from the Marines and is now working at Buffalo Wild Wings in Ohio to pay his restitution, his defense attorney, Sara Hildebrand, said.

“I’m asking the court to give Mr. Jones a chance to bounce back from this,” she said.

At the sentencing hearing Friday, Judge William Herringer accepted a plea agreement that would wipe the felony from Jones’ record if he successfully completes his probation.

As part of his probation, he must pay $16,500 in restitution, complete 100 hours community service and write apology letters to the victims.

Herringer said the sentence was appropriate because this was Jones’ first offense.

“It seems like you’re somebody who was on track to contribute,” he said.

If the felony is removed from his record, Jones plans to try to re-enter the military.

Jones was originally charged with felony arson, felony criminal mischief, felony criminal tampering for letting the dogs loose and second-degree burglary.

Jones was visiting Durango with a group of Marines from California, but he committed the crimes alone.

mshinn@durangoherald.com



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