Denver Sheriff's Deputy Suspected In Aiding Escapee
DENVER (CBS4) - A Denver Sheriff's deputy is in custody and suspected of helping a dangerous inmate escape from the downtown Denver jail Sunday night, CBS4 reports.
Felix Trujillo, 24, escaped at approximately 7 p.m. and he is considered armed and extremely dangerous.
Deputy Matthew Andrews is suspected of providing a department coat, gun belt, pants and hat to Trujillo to help him escape, in exchange for money. Sources tell CBS4 that the inmate told the deputy he was in danger in the jail, and that prison gangs had been threatening him and that he needed to get out.
Multiple sources say Andrews has confessed to his supervisors. Sources also report that he not only provided a uniform to assist in the escape, but then drove the inmate to a location north of Denver where a getaway car was waiting for Trujillo.
"Clearly this person is a danger," Lt. Matt Murray told CBS4. "We want the public to be aware of that, to know that we are working in cooperation with the sheriff's office and law enforcement in the metro area to locate and apprehend this person."
Sources say Andrews was taken to the county jail Broomfield, but an employee there referred a media call back to the Denver Sheriff's Department.
Andrews faces a felony charge of assisting with an escape. His bond was set at $10,000 and he is scheduled to appear on court on April 22.
VIDEO: Denver City, County Officials Discuss Case In News Conference
While Andrews allegedly confessed to his supervisors, sources say he refused to make a statement to Denver police investigators when he was taken into custody.
Andrews, 36, has been with the Denver Sheriff's Department since 2011. He graduated from their academy in June 2011 and was assigned to work at the downtown detention center.
Trujillo is described as being an Hispanic male with short black hair and brown eyes, about 5-feet-6, 140 pounds and with several neck tattoos. Anyone who knows where he is or sees him is asked to call 911 immediately.
- Written by Brian Maass for CBSDenver.com
