Chief Judge Douglas Walker chose rehabilitation on Thursday when he sentenced Darrell Perez to three years at the Hilltop House community corrections facility in Durango.
In 22nd Judicial District Court, Walker said Perez has tried and failed probation “many times,” but he found no previous felony convictions. Assistant District Attorney Matthew Margeson cited an extended criminal history dating to the mid-1990s and requested a three-year sentence to the Colorado Department of Corrections.
Perez, a Cortez resident, pleaded guilty in December to felony criminal trespass and felony possession of contraband in a detention facility. He was allegedly part of a scheme involving five other people who repeatedly trespassed and burglarized a residential property east of Cortez over at least two weeks in June.
In late October, Margeson said Perez brought meth back into jail after his bond was revoked. Four felonies were dismissed as part of the plea deal.
When Walker asked the defendant if he has anything to say, Perez stated his recent stint in jail has been very difficult.
He said he recently became a grandfather, turned 40 and marked the first time he missed spending the holidays with his children. He said he is ready to become a productive member of society.
Walker said Perez will remain at Montezuma County Detention Center until a bed opens up in Durango.
sdolan@the-journal.com