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Steamboat Springs — A longtime Routt County fire official pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor sexual conduct charges Wednesday in Routt County Court. West Routt Fire Protection District Chief Bryan Rickman will stand trial this summer.
Rickman, 54, faces charges of unlawful sexual contact without consent, a Class 1 misdemeanor, and harassment, a Class 3 misdemeanor, in connection with a November 2007 incident. Rickman allegedly touched the buttocks of a Hayden woman without her consent while on the job.
Moffat County Chief Deputy District Attorney Brett Barkey led the investigation and filed charges Jan. 21. Routt County Deputy District Attorney Ed Veronda is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Rickman could face up to two years in prison — 18 months on the unlawful sexual contact charge and six months on the harassment charge — and $5,750 in fines.
Rickman’s attorney, Erick Nordstrom, requested two to three days for the impending trial. Judge James Garrecht warned him against spending days in court painting the alleged victim as “untrustworthy.”
“This whole incident took about five seconds — we don’t need to spend two days trying it,” Garrecht said.
Garrecht also clarified the conditions of the mandatory protection order issued in the case. Rickman is not to respond to emergency calls at the woman’s residence and must leave immediately if he happens to run into her at any public places in town, Garrecht said.
Rickman declined to comment about the case Wednesday. His trial is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. June 26 in Routt County Court.
— To reach Melinda Dudley, call 871-4203
or e-mail mdudley@steamboatpilot.com
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justice4all (anonymous)
March 27, 2008 at 10:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Certainly seem that Judge Garrecht is way off base on this one.
WHAT IF Mr Rickman is the only one available to respond to "her' emergency? WHAT IF Mr Rickman responds to her emergency in a life-threatening situation? Is he just supposed to walk away and ignore his duties as a trained professional?
I think that Garrecht must have forgotten the part about "INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY".
And telling the defense attorney that he is limited to a certain amount of time to dis-prove the allegations of the DA or to prove his clients' innocence is denying the accused his right to a fair trial. I have not heard the judge tell the DA that they have a limited amount of time to procecute. It seems that in this case the judge has already taken sides and that is not his job.
coloradobu (anonymous)
March 27, 2008 at 10:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Judge Garrecht should not be retained!!! His consistent lenient (slap-on-the-wrist) rulings record for pedophiles, sexual molesters and reckless drivers fails to acknowledge the victim. These perpetrators deserve the harshest punishment allowed by law. The perpetrator does not end the life of the victim, but their spiritual and mental life is ended until they are able to heal and move forward. In most cases, the victim can’t move forward till the victim experiences the first step of acknowledgement and acceptance. Judging by Judge Garrecht’s record, he appears to serve as an advocate for the perpetrator. We need a Judge that can keep all of us safe! Certainly, imposing sterner sentences on these individuals in combination with mandatory counseling and monitoring would be more effective than not doing so.
weallnutz (anonymous)
March 27, 2008 at 4:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
coloradobu- I recommend you know more facts about cases before you disregard a person. Judge Garrecht does what he can with the evidence he is given. It seems you read the paper but not the full reports of cases.
Cottonmouth (anonymous)
March 27, 2008 at 6:51 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
coloradobu (anonymous)
March 28, 2008 at 12:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wellurnutz said " I recommend you know more facts about cases before you disregard a person." Garrecht has total disregard for the victim. I suggest you review some of his cases and ask yourself "What if it was your daughter and or loved one that was assaulted?"
1234 (anonymous)
March 28, 2008 at 6:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
justice4all, so you think the judge is wrong to say he is not to respond, say like in a life threatening situation--- what if he was the only one to respond, and did nothing at all !!!
maybe the judge is looking out for the best intrest here?
always there is some one else to respond, so lets not have the suspect be there.
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