Brooks Kellogg, 73, pleads not guilty to trying to hire a hit man over real estate lawsuit

Brooks Kellogg.

Brooks Kellogg, the 73-year old businessman arrested at Denver International Airport last month for allegedly trying to hire a hit man, pleaded not guilty in Denver federal court earlier today -- and reports that undercover agents don't have a recording of his statements at DIA suggest that he may have some wiggle room. Judge his odds by reading the criminal complaint against him, as well as the U.S. Attorney's Office release issued after his bust.

ILLINOIS MAN ARRESTED AT DIA IN MURDER FOR HIRE CASE

DENVER -- A Chicago, Illinois man was arrested Tuesday at Denver International Airport (DIA) in connection with a murder for hire scheme, U.S. Attorney John Walsh and FBI Special Agent in Charge James Davis announced. The man, Brooks Kellogg, age 73, is being held without bond pending a detention hearing scheduled for October 25, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. Kellogg first appeared in federal court in Denver yesterday, where he was advised of the charge pending against him and the penalties associated with that charge.

According to the affidavit in support of the Criminal Complaint, on Tuesday, after arriving at DIA, Kellogg met at the airport with an FBI agent acting in an undercover capacity. Kellogg paid the undercover agent $2,000 in cash to murder a Florida man with whom he was involved in a real estate transaction. The murder target had sued Kellogg, obtaining a multi-million judgment.

Kellogg is charged with one count of use of interstate commerce facilities and mails in the commission of murder-for-hire. If convicted, he faces not more than 10 years imprisonment, and up to a $250,000 fine.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the Denver Police Department assisting with the arrest.

Kellogg is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Wyatt Angelo and David Conner.

A Criminal Complaint is a probable cause charging document. Anyone accused of committing a felony violation of federal law has a Constitutional right to be indicted by a federal grand jury.

The charges contained in the Complaint are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

More from our Colorado Crimes archive: "The most memorable mug shots of 2010 -- the next 25: A photo gallery."