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GarCo sheriff investigating sex assault reports

Ryan Graff

The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office is investigating reports of two sexual assaults. The most recent incident happened within the past month and involved a 17-year-old girl and an in-law, said Garfield County Sheriff Lou Vallario. Twice during the last month, the in-law took the girl to remote locations in Garfield County and assaulted her, he said. New Castle police took the original report, but handed the case over to the sheriff’s office because the incidents occurred outside any town limits, Vallario said. In addition to sexual assault charges, the suspect in that case also faces kidnapping charges. “He took her against her will, and when she said, ‘No, I want to go home,’ he said, ‘No, we’re going to go up here,'” Vallario said. Vallario expected an arrest warrant in that case by Thursday. The second case the sheriff’s office is investigating occurred in 2000 between a girl who was 13 at the time, and a family member, Vallario said. The victim in that case moved to the Denver area, Vallario said, and recently reported the assault to a teacher. Even though that assault happened at least four years ago, the statute of limitations in felony cases is longer than five years, he said. The second case the sheriff’s office is investigating occurred in 2000 between a girl who was 13 at the time, and a family member, Vallario said. The victim in that case moved to the Denver area, Vallario said, and recently reported the assault to a teacher. Even though that assault happened at least four years ago, the statute of limitations in felony cases is longer than five years, he said.


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