MAN CHARGED IN SEX ASSAULT CASE

February 13, 2002

Contact: Lynn Kimbrough, 720-913-9025

Denver District Attorney Bill Ritter Jr. has filed formal charges against a Denver Public Schools employee today in connection with his arrest last Friday, February 8, 2002 for sexual assault on a child.

50-year-old Paul Lopez (DOB 1/15/52) is charged with sexual assault on a child - position of trust (F3), sex assault on a child - pattern of abuse (F3), and sexual assault on a child (F4).

Lopez remains in custody in the Denver County Jail.  His bond is set at $100,000.  He is tentatively scheduled to appear in Denver County Court on Friday, February 15, 2002 at 11:00 a.m. in room 12T, to be formally advised of the charges.

The presumptive range for sentencing on a class 3 felony is 4 to 12 years in prison; the range for a class 4 felony is 2 to 6 years.

(Formal charges have not been filed yet in connection with Lopez's arrest on Thursday, February 7, 2002.  In that case he is scheduled to appear in Denver County Court, room 12T, on February 21, 2002 at 11:00 a.m.)

The investigation is continuing.

*The filing of a criminal charge is merely a formal accusation that an individual(s) committed a crime(s) under Colorado laws. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. See Colo. RPC 3.6