Colorado man accused of sexual assault pleads not guilty

On behalf of David Lindsey, Attorney at Law posted in Sex Crimes on Monday, July 11, 2011.

Late last week, a Colorado man pleaded not guilty to charges of sexual assault. The man, 38, has been accused of assaulting two women who live near Colorado State University.

According to allegations by police and prosecutors, the man entered the homes of each woman without their knowledge. The first case involved a 23-year-old woman who called police when she noticed items missing from her home. She only realized she had been sexually assaulted after a police officer recommended that she been examined by a doctor.

The second woman, 20, said the man raped her and made her perform oral sex. She said the man used a knife to threaten her.

According to police, DNA evidence was obtained that ties the man to the assaults. Neither of the women knows the man, and the women do not know each other.

The Fort Collins man now faces five counts of sexual assault, all of which are Class 2 felonies. If found guilty, he could be sentenced to 24 years or more in prison. He has also been charged with burglary and kidnapping.

The public defender who will represent the defendant will request that the two assault cases be tried separately. Prosecutors, however, would like them to be tried together. The man is scheduled to appear in court next month.

As this case shows, Colorado law enforcement officers take any allegation of sex crimes very seriously. If a person is convicted, he or she could be faced with serious penalties that may include jail time. Some people may also have to register as a sex offender.

When your freedom is at risk, it can be very frightening. Experienced Colorado attorneys understand how difficult and overwhelming a time like this can be. If you have been accused of committing a sex-related crime, seeking professional legal advice may be helpful in understanding your rights and options.

Source: Coloradoan.com, “Man pleads not guilty to sex assaults,” Trevor Hughes, 09 July 2011