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Courts explain no-cash bail given in animal abuse case

Prosecutors asked for personal recognizance bond
A man suspected of animal abuse was granted a personal recognizance bond, meaning he didn’t have to pay any cash to be released. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)

A court administrator on Friday provided additional details about the bail conditions granted to a man suspected of animal cruelty and felony burglary.

Jonah Barrett-Lesko, 25, was arrested June 28 on suspicion of having sexual intercourse with a horse at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. La Plata County Judge Anne Woods granted him a personal recognizance bond, meaning he didn’t have to pay anything to be released, according to court records.

Barrett-Lesko was arrested again July 9 in connection with a burglary spree that included shoplifting, breaking into a car and stealing at least six bikes worth a total of $13,000, according to court records and the Durango Police Department.

As of Friday, he remained in jail on $1,500 bail.

Eric Hogue, administrator for the 6th Judicial District Courts, said the District Attorney’s Office requested the personal recognizance bond and offered no criminal history at the initial hearing involving the animal cruelty case.

The bond granted by Woods had conditions, including that Barrett-Lesko be placed back in jail if he committed new offenses, Hogue said.

The new $1,500 bail is cash only, meaning he must pay the full amount and cannot go through a bail bondsman, Hogue said.

Efforts to reach District Attorney Christian Champagne for comment were not immediately successful Friday.

shane@durangoherald.com

Jul 22, 2021
Man arrested in connection with burglary spree in Durango
Jun 28, 2021
Durango man faces cruelty charge for alleged sexual act with a horse


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