Herman Duran, 68, has pleaded guilty to criminal mischief in connection with the 2024 vandalism of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. monument in Denver’s City Park. As part of his plea deal, the theft charge was dismissed. He was sentenced to three years of probation, 90 days in jail (minus 33 days already served), and ordered to pay $69,900 in restitution and court fees. The vandalism included the removal of bronze panels depicting Black Americans who fought in U.S. wars, as well as decorative emblems. The pieces were recovered from a scrap metal yard about a week later.
The other defendant, Robert Duran, had previously pleaded guilty to criminal mischief and was sentenced to two years deferred. The damage to the monument was estimated at around $75,000. Robert Duran turned himself in to police in February 2024, while Herman Duran was arrested in March 2024.
The sentencing of Herman Duran came three months after Robert Duran’s plea deal. The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Colorado Holiday Commission expressed relief at the resolution of the case, which sparked outrage and concern in the community. The restoration of the monument was a priority for those involved in the case, and the defendants were held accountable for their actions through the legal process.
