The Sedgwick County Sheriff is currently being detained in the Weld County Jail for allegedly having sex with an inmate. According to the news report, the woman was also developmentally disabled, so the crime is considered to be against an At Risk Adult. The sheriff had taken the inmate in his personal vehicle to transport her to the Logan County Jail but instead took her to his house. The sheriff claims he brought her to his house because she had information she wanted to share with him about a case, but it was sensitive information and she didn’t want to be seen talking to him. The victim claims he offered her $60, made her strip, and then performed sexual acts on her. The sheriff is now being held on $250,00 bond awaiting his next court appearance.
Weld County Crimes Against At Risk Person Lawyer: What Does It Mean to Be At-Risk?
The Colorado law definition of At-Risk Adult – under C.R.S. 18-6.5-102(2) – is:
Based on the fact that the woman has been diagnosed as developmentally disabled, she can be considered an at-risk person. In Weld, Morgan, and Logan County, crimes against At-Risk Adults, At-Risk Juveniles, or At-Risk Elders carry more severe consequences.
Sexual Assault on an At-Risk Adult in Greeley
The Colorado law definition of Crimes Against At Risk Persons – C.R.S. 18-6.5-103(7)(a) – is:
In Greeley, Fort Lupton, and Fort Morgan, Sexual Assault is normally charged as a class 4 felony, it is heightened to a class 2 felony if committed against an at-risk person. A class 2 felony is punishable by 8 to 24 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections and up to $1,000,000 in fines. Serious sex offenses, like Sexual Assault, are also subject to indeterminate sentencing, meaning a person could be sentenced to a range with the minimum amount of time established and the maximum being life. Because at-risk persons are viewed as more vulnerable, the punishments related to crimes against them is increased.
If you or someone you love is facing charges for Sexual Assault or a crime against an At-Risk person, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best Greeley criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-616-6009 for a free initial consultation. Together, we can protect your future.
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