Man accused in killing had past abduction arrests

This undated law enforcement booking photo provided by the Mesa County, Colo., Sheriff's Office shows Lester Ralph Jones. Investigators said they have arrested Jones in the killing of a Colorado woman who led a double life as a devoted mom and a paid escort before she disappeared in 2007. Police on Friday, Nov. 21, 2014 arrested Jones, 63, on charges of murder, kidnapping and arson in the death of 34-year-old Paige Birgfeld, of Grand Junction, Colo. Birgfeld's remains were found in a dry creek bed in 2012. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation's cold-case team was assigned the case. (AP Photo/Mesa County Sheriff's Office) This undated law enforcement booking photo provided by the Mesa County, Colo., Sheriff's Office shows Lester Ralph Jones. Investigators said they have arrested Jones in the killing of a Colorado woman who led a double life as a devoted mom and a paid escort before she disappeared in 2007. Police on Friday, Nov. 21, 2014 arrested Jones, 63, on charges of murder, kidnapping and arson in the death of 34-year-old Paige Birgfeld, of Grand Junction, Colo. Birgfeld's remains were found in a dry creek bed in 2012. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation's cold-case team was assigned the case. (AP Photo/Mesa County Sheriff's Office)

By Associated Press November 25, 2014 1 min read

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (AP) – A man suspected in the killing of a Colorado mother who led a double life as a paid escort served time in prison for two kidnapping cases involving his ex-wife.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Dan Rubenstein recounted Lester Jones’ criminal history in court in Grand Junction Monday, arguing the 63-year-old was a flight risk. A judge agreed to hold him on $2 million bond in the 2007 death of Paige Birgfeld.

The Daily Sentinel (http://bit.ly/1y8PpDq ) reports that Jones said nothing other than acknowledging his legal rights.

Rubenstein says Jones received a five-year prison term in 1999. He was accused of running a car carrying his ex-wife and another man off the road, putting her in his car and threatening to kill her. He also was arrested for kidnapping her about a month later.

___