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Habitual Criminal Sentenced To 72 Years In Prison

GOLDEN, Colo. (CBS4)- The man convicted of escaping from the Jefferson County Jail and going on am 11-day crime spree has been sentenced to 72 years in prison.

Travis Sandlin, 34, escaped from Jefferson County Jail on Oct. 5, 2014 by climbing out a small gap of fencing and dropping onto a roof. He was the first inmate to break out of the jail in its 27-year history.

"We asked for a little more but 72 years is a good sentence. Hopefully instead of trying to escape, you should take responsibility for what you do," said Jeffco Chief Deputy District Attorney Steve Jensen.

Sandlin has been a career criminal up to his escape from jail. He was found guilty of 33 felony counts at his jury trial in January including escape, burglary, aggravated motor vehicle theft, vehicular eluding, identity theft and trespass of a vehicle.

Sandlin was on the run for approximately 10 days. Police say during that time he racked up more crimes from stealing cars and credit cards until he crashed a stolen minivan and was arrested.

Jeffco Escapee Crash
Travis Sandlin, the escaped Jeffco inmate, crashed a stolen vehicle before officers arrested him in Boulder (credit: CBS)

Authorities say Sandlin had been living in a vacant house in Boulder County before he was arrested.

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