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Man involved with string of thefts from vehicles in Durango is sentenced

Joseph Dyson given chance to complete community corrections

A man who is suspected of taking part in about 22 thefts from vehicles, including stealing a La Plata County Sheriff’s Office deputy’s gun, was sentenced Thursday to three years in a community corrections program.

Joseph Sewell Dyson, 33, was facing probation to two years in prison for his role in the thefts, which occurred in June 2020 in Durango. He pleaded guilty to felony criminal trespass in a plea agreement with the 6th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.

Sean Murray, deputy district attorney-appellate, asked that Dyson be given three years at Hilltop House, a community corrections program in Durango that allows criminal offenders to live and work in the community while serving a sentence.

Murray said Dyson has made progress on his substance-abuse issues, and he hopes that behavior will continue.

The plea agreement gives Dyson the opportunity of having the felony conviction removed from his record if he can successfully complete his three-year sentence at Hilltop House without further violations of the law. If he violates the law during that time, he faces up to three years in prison plus whatever penalties are applicable for the new offense.

Dyson must also pay $500 restitution for the deputy’s stolen gun.

shane@durangoherald.com



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