A youth pastor at a Boulder County church has been arrested. He is facing allegations of Sexual Assault on a Child in Boulder (C.R.S. 18-3-405). According to a Fox 31 news report, this 35 year-old man met the alleged victim while working at his church; the relationship has been going on for almost a decade. The now 23-year-old woman is pressing charges so many years later because she now feels comfortable coming forward with the information. If convicted of this offense, the youth pastor could face a lifetime in prison and harsh sex offender treatment. Sexual assault on a child is often charged in Denver, Adams and Arapahoe County – and it has devastating consequences.

Sexual Assault on a Child in Boulder: There are Two Sides to Every Story

Following the man's arrest, Fox 31 interviewed his neighbors, who don't believe the allegations could be true. One man said he has “all the trust in the world” in the man, and another woman says she has daughters and always felt comfortable with him around her kids. “There's two sides to every story,” continued a neighbor. Herein lies the issue with sexual assault cases – often all that stands between a person and life in prison is the allegation of one person. This woman says that this pastor touched her inappropriately, watched her undress, and showed her sexual images. This was after they met at church and began a text and phone conversation. There is absolutely no evidence against this man besides this young woman's allegations. This is common in Broomfield, Douglas and Jefferson County, and often a judge or jury sides with the “victim” even when there are major holes in a case.

Sex Offender Treatment: Unfair for Some Crimes

Even if this pastor is guilty of the allegations against him, he doesn't deserve to be treated as a pedophile. But, if he is convicted, he will undergo the same treatment that a serial rapist or pedophile would go through. The Sex Offender Management Board (SOMB) believes that all sex offenders (regardless of the level of offense – even if it was simply peeing in public too many times) are “dangerous” and suffer from a behavioral disorder that renders them “inherently covert, deceptive, and secretive.” This is a horribly assumptive statement: This pastor (if he is even guilty) is not a pedophile, or a rapist, and shouldn't be treated as such.

If you or a loved one has been accused of Sexual Assault on a Child in Boulder, Denver or Littleton or another sex offense, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at the O'Malley Law Office at 303-830-0880, or submit the “Get Help Now” form. Together, we can protect your future.