A sheriff’s deputy accused of helping a felon escape the Downtown Denver Detention Center felt he and his family were in danger, his attorney said Tuesday.
Matthew Andrews, 36, was arrested and faces felony charges that he aided in the Sunday night escape of Felix Trujillo, 24, who remained at large Tuesday.
“To the extent that Deputy Andrews had any involvement in Felix Trujillo’s escape, his actions were compelled by threats to his life or his family’s life,” attorney Donald Sisson said. “At no time was there ever an agreement to assist Felix Trujillo with his escape in exchange for money.”
On Saturday, Sisson said, a driver pulled up alongside Andrews and aimed a gun at him, telling him that his family and his life would be in jeopardy unless he helped get Trujillo out of jail.
Andrews apparently did not report the incident to his supervisors or police.
Trujillo walked out of the jail about 7 p.m. Sunday wearing parts of a sheriff’s uniform, including a jacket. Law enforcement sources have said Andrews then drove Trujillo to Thornton and returned to the jail, where investigators were waiting to question him.
Sisson would not discuss other aspects of the case. Denver police would not comment on the case Tuesday, and police reports have been sealed pending further investigation.
Andrews, a two-year-veteran of the department who worked general security duties at the jail, is now on paid leave. His relatives declined to comment.
Denver police consider Trujillo, who pleaded guilty to charges stemming from an August robbery, dangerous. While he did not take a sheriff’s gun or radio, it is unclear whether he is armed.
Sheriff’s spokesman Maj. Frank Gale said investigators are still trying to determine whether others inside the jail were involved or violated policy. “The scope of the investigation is big,” he said.
