Man gets 35 years for 2022 abduction of two hikers
Kerry Endsley held a couple at gunpoint on a trail in Fehringer Ranch Park
On Wednesday, Kerry Endsley was sentenced to 35 years in prison for abducting two hikers and holding them at gunpoint in June 2022, according to a news release.
Endsley had pleaded guilty to one count of attempted murder in the first degree as a crime of violence and one count of attempted disarming of a peace officer on Jan. 22.
On June 17, 2022, in Fehringer Ranch Park, two hikers — a man and a woman — passed Endsley kneeling on the path. He was dressed in all blue and disguised in a fake mustache, a Fedex hat and sunglasses. As the hikers passed him, he pointed a firearm at them and yelled that he was going to kill them. Endsley forced the victims to get on their knees and put their heads forward and placed a dog leash around the woman’s neck. At gunpoint, he directed them to walk in the middle of a field and told them they would die that day.
The woman, who was previously acquainted with Endsley, recognized him by the watch he was wearing and distracted him while her husband grabbed the gun. The couple then ran in opposite directions.
A runner witnessed the encounter and called 911, narrating the scene in real time. When a Jefferson County sheriff’s deputy arrived and confronted Endsley, Endsley charged the deputy and pulled a stun gun from his pocket. The deputy fired his duty weapon, but Endsley continued to approach while sparking the stun gun. Another deputy arrived and tased Endsley.
The deputies searched Endsley and his vehicle and found pepper spray, a mattress, blankets, tarps, multiple restraints, power tools, leashes, collars, ropes, knives, ammunition, another stun gun, duct tape, handcuff keys, a hatchet, an extra loaded magazine and a Fedex hat and sweatshirt.
Endsley then alleged he was having a heart attack and was transported to the hospital. While there he lunged at a deputy, reached for the deputy’s gun and punched him in the forehead.
According to the sheriff’s office, Endsley had a history of harassing the woman he attacked based on prior police reports and a restraining order the female victim had filed against him.
She has since relocated her family to another state. In a letter to the court, she stated, “I hope that I can be a strong voice to create more awareness and hope for others while they face their fears and navigate through their recovery and trauma experiences.” She also thanked the witness who called 911; she believes it saved their lives.
On Wednesday, Endsley was also resentenced to six months of jail with credit for time served for a 2021 harassment case.