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

Robert Duran, 47, pleaded guilty Friday to one count of criminal mischief ($20,000 to $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 into the Denver Police Department at the end of February. At the time, police were looking 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 Colorado Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Commission, told Denver7 that a bronze panel depicting black Americans who fought in U.S. wars was removed, along with two decorative items. emblems depicting an angel of love and a torch of liberty. The pieces were recovered from a scrap yard about a week later. 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, former state representative and wife of Denver’s first black mayor, Wellington Webb.