DENVER — A former Denver sheriff’s deputy accused of helping an inmate escape from jail pleaded not guilty in court Monday morning.
Matthew Andrews, 36, allegedly helped home-invasion robber Felix Trujillo leave the Downtown Detention Center in April while wearing a deputy’s coat and hat. He then drove Trujillo to Thornton and released him, according to an affidavit. He then returned to the jail and told coworkers what had happened.
Trujillo, 24, turned himself in after three days on the run. He has since been sentenced to 34 years in prison for the escape and a 2012 robbery.
Andrews has said that someone threatened his family if he refused to help Trujillo. Earlier this year, Andrews’ lawyer told The Denver Post that an unidentified man pointed a gun at the deputy, telling him that his life would be in danger if he didn’t go along. But prosecutors seem prepared to argue that he was offered money to help the felon escape.
The former deputy faces one felony count of aiding escape.