Log In


Reset Password

Man suspected of aiding jail escape pleads not guilty

Antonio Kolessar will face jury trial

Antonio Kolessar, the man suspected of aiding an escape in April at a juvenile detention center in Durango, pleaded not guilty Thursday.

Kolessar

Kolessar, 21, is charged with five counts of aiding escape, a Class 3 felony, and one count of vehicular eluding. If convicted, he faces four to 12 years in prison and a fine of up to $750,000 followed by a mandatory parole period of five years.

A two-day jury trial is scheduled to begin Dec. 17.

According to an arrest affidavit, Kolessar cut a hole in the chain-link fence surrounding the Robert E. DeNier Youth Services Center on April 27. Five men escaped through the hole and into a gray Hyundai Sonata driven by Kolessar.

The vehicle was spotted in Pagosa Springs later that day. After a brief police chase, the group was arrested outside of South Fork, 44 miles east of Pagosa Springs.

Kolessar’s next court appearance is a motions hearing scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Nov. 16.

asemadeni@durangoherald.com



Reader Comments