Man pleads guilty to role in Denver MLK monument theft and vandalism

DENVER – A man arrested earlier this year in connection with the theft and vandalism of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Monument in Denver City Park pleaded guilty and was convicted.

Robert Duran, 47, pleaded guilty Friday to one count of criminal mischief (between $20,000 and $100,000), according to court documents. He received a two-year deferred sentence and was ordered to pay $69,900 in restitution.

Robert Duran turned himself in to Denver police end of February. At the time, police were searching for a second suspect, later identified as Herman Duran. He was arrested on March 10.

Herman Duran has an arraignment scheduled for Nov. 7 in Denver District Court.

The vandalism was reported on February 21. Dr. Vern Howard, chairman of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Colorado Holiday Commission, told Denver7 that a bronze panel depicting Black Americans who fought in U.S. wars had been removed, along with two decorative emblems depicting an angel of love and a torch of freedom. The pieces were Found about a week later on a scrap heap. Howard estimated the damage at about $75,000, if not more.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Monument in Denver’s City Park was vandalized overnight

The City and County of Denver and Mayor Wellington Webb commissioned the statue.

Unveiled in 2001, it was the vision of Wilma J. Webb, a former state representative and wife of Denver’s first black mayor, Wellington Webb.