In 1873, sheriff Steve Warren, who has been falsely accused of the murder of Fred Reed, is on trial for his life. In court, Steve relates the events leading up to the murder: When Steve sets out to capture a band of outlaws, which is holding up stagecoaches owned by Nora Reed, he captures one of the gang, Nora's brother Fred. Before Fred can reveal the name of the gang's leader, however, he is killed by a bullet shot from outside the jail window. Steve shoots at the assailant but misses. Nora finds him holding a recently fired gun over Fred's body and accuses him of murder. Unknown to Steve, prosecuting attorney Garvey Yager is the real killer and wants revenge on Steve because his father, a judge, once sent Yager to prison. Using rigged evidence, Yager obtains Steve's conviction. Later, with Smiley Burnette's help, Steve breaks out of jail. Disguised as masked crime fighter The Durango Kid, Steve returns to town and learns that Yager, an ex-convict, has forged his diploma. Later, Steve forces Yager and his accomplice, surveyor Alfred Murdock, to confess to Fred's murder. Afterward, Steve returns to town and is reinstated as sheriff.