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Former Marine pleads guilty to felony

‘You wreaked a lot of havoc,’ judge says
Jones

A former Marine who seriously vandalized several businesses on U.S. Highway 160 pleaded guilty to a felony and a misdemeanor in 6th Judicial District Court on Friday.

Kenneth Jones, 23, who was visiting Durango in May with other Marines, pled guilty to second-degree burglary – a felony – and criminal mischief – a misdemeanor.

“You wreaked a lot of havoc,” Judge William Herringer said.

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

He also caused heavy damage at the adjacent 4X4 Auto Sales, where he set a small fire in the building and broke out windows in vehicles.

The damaged was estimated at $10,000 in May.

The judge said he wanted Jones, who is now living with his parents in Ohio, to begin paying restitution as soon as possible.

“I would like you to be working toward making these people whole as quickly as possible,” Herringer said.

He asked Jones to start by saving the money he was paying for alcohol testing each week and instead bring it back to his sentencing hearing Oct. 31.

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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