DENVER (KDVR) — A 30-year-old man is behind bars after a mandatory reporter spoke out and DNA evidence allegedly linked the man to the sexual assault of a child.
Jesus Gonzalo Avila Mendoza, 30, of Dillon Unincorporated, was arrested Tuesday on one count of sexual assault of a child. The Summit County Sheriff’s Office shared body-worn camera footage of Avila-Mendoza’s arrest 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 filed a report of possible sexual assault of a child.
Despite extensive investigative efforts, deputies were unable to determine probable cause at that time, the agency said.
A few months later, in May, deputies responded to a domestic violence incident that led to Avila-Mendoza’s arrest on charges of second-degree assault, domestic violence, child abuse and obstruction of telephone services. According to court documents, Avila-Mendoza has not entered a confession in the case, and a pretrial conference in the case is scheduled for October 29.
While investigating that incident, deputies found more evidence connected to the January case.
“This is an example of how law and technology can combine for the greater good,” Sheriff Jaime Fitzsimmons said. In a statement to the Sheriff’s Office. “Mandatory reporting laws are essential to keeping our community safe. This case started with a mandatory whistleblower and ended with DNA evidence. Combine that with investigators who never give up, and we were able to arrest a person of interest.”
Investigators later used DNA, among other evidence, to determine the probable cause of Avila-Mendoza’s sexual assault of a child. He was arrested without incident and initially held at the Summit County Detention Center without bail.
Avila-Mendoza appeared in court Thursday and was given a $10,000 cash or surety bond, which has not been released. He is scheduled to appear in court again on October 14.
The agency did not say whether there were additional suspected victims in this case.
The Sheriff’s Office noted that more than 40 professions are classified as mandatory reporters under Colorado law, including nurses, mental health professionals, peace officers, firefighters and teachers. The law requires that these individuals report cases of child abuse or neglect within 24 hours. The office is shared co4kids.org As a resource to learn more about mandatory whistleblowers.