DENVER (KDVR) — A 30-year-old man is behind bars after a mandatory reporter spoke up and DNA evidence allegedly linked the man to the sexual assault of a child.
Jesus Gonzalo Avila-Mendoza, 30, of unincorporated Dillon, was arrested Tuesday for a single charge of sexual assault on a child. The Summit County Sheriff’s Office shared body-worn camera footage of Avila-Mendoza being arrested on Tuesday night.
His arrest was announced by the Summit County Sheriff’s Office, which said it began investigating Avila-Mendoza in January after a mandatory reporter made a report about a possible sexual assault on a child.
The agency said that despite extensive investigative efforts, deputies were unable to establish probable cause at that time.
A few months later, in May, deputies responded to a domestic violence incident that led to Avila-Mendoza being arrested for second-degree assault, domestic violence, child abuse and obstruction of telephone services. According to court documents, Avila-Mendoza has not entered a plea in the case and is scheduled for a pre-trial conference in the case on Oct. 29.
While investigating that incident, deputies found more evidence connected to the January case.
“This is an example of how the law and technology come together for the public good,” said Sheriff Jaime FitzSimons in a sheriff’s office release. “Mandatory reporter laws are critical to keeping our community safe. This case started with a mandatory reporter and ended with DNA evidence. Combine that with detectives who never give up, and we were able to make an important arrest.”
Detectives later used DNA, among other evidence, to establish probable cause that Avila-Mendoza sexually assaulted a child. He was arrested without incident and was initially being held at the Summit County Detention Facility without bond.
On Thursday, Avila-Mendoza appeared in court and was given a $10,000 cash or surety bond, which has not been posted. He’s scheduled to appear in court again on Oct. 14.
The agency did not say if there are additional victims suspected in this case.
The sheriff’s office noted that over 40 professions are classified as mandatory reporters under Colorado law, including nurses, mental health professionals, peace officers, firefighters and teachers. The law requires that such individuals report suspected child abuse or neglect within 24 hours. The office shared co4kids.org as a resource to learn more about mandatory reporters.
Anthony Sutton is a business strategist and writer with a passion for management, leadership, and entrepreneurship. With years of experience in the corporate world, he shares insights on business growth, strategy, and innovation through management-opleiding.org.
