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Man arrested for sexual assault

Melinda Dudley

— An Oregon man suspected of sexually assaulting a California boy in Steamboat Springs in December 2006 has been arrested in his home state and is awaiting extradition to Colorado.

The man allegedly sexually assaulted the 13-year-old in a vehicle while driving from Denver to Steamboat Springs, and repeatedly at a Steamboat home during the visit, according to sworn police affidavits.

The man, 52, has been charged with sexual assault on a child by someone in a position of trust with a pattern of sexual abuse, a Class 3 felony punishable by up to 12 years in jail and $750,000 in fines.



The Steamboat Springs Police Department initiated an investigation on Dec. 6, 2007, when the alleged assaults were first reported to local law enforcement, Capt. Joel Rae said. Routt County Judge James Garrecht issued a warrant for the man’s arrest Jan. 23.

Members of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force arrested the man Jan. 31 at his workplace, a law firm in Portland. He was released from Multnomah County Jail on Feb. 1 on $50,000 bond.



Prior to the alleged abuse, the boy had met the man at several family reunions and holidays, and they maintained communication through online video games and instant messaging, according to the affidavits.

The boy flew to Colorado ahead of his parents for Christmas in 2006 and drove from Denver to Steamboat with the man. While both were staying in Steamboat, the man allegedly came into the boy’s room and abused him nightly for a period of six or seven days, the affidavits state.

The boy became depressed after returning to California and contemplated suicide, according to the affidavits.

No appearances have been set in Routt County Court. It is unknown when the man will be extradited, Rae said.

– The Oregonian contributed to this report.


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