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Mandatory reporter and DNA evidence lead to arrest on charge of sexual assault of a child

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Jesus Gonzalo Avila-Mendoza
Summit County Sheriff’s Office/Courtesy image

The Summit County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man Tuesday, Oct. 7, on a Class 4 felony charge for sexual assault on a child, according to a Facebook post from the office.

Deputies arrested Jesus Gonzalo Avila-Mendoza, 29, of unincorporated Dillon, after an investigation that started with a mandatory reporter’s report of possible sexual assault on a child in January.

The investigation into the report did not establish probable cause when it started. Deputies arrested Avila-Mendoza in May for charges related to domestic violence, child abuse and obstruction of telephone services, including a felony charge for second-degree assault. During that investigation, deputies found additional evidence linked to the child sexual assault case.



The Sheriff’s Office post states deputies used DNA and other evidence to establish probable cause that Avila-Mendoza sexually assaulted a child and obtained an arrest warrant for him. They arrested him the evening of Oct. 7.

Mandatory reporters in Colorado include physicians, nurses, mental health professionals, law enforcement, firefighters and teachers, among others, according to the post. They must report suspected child abuse or neglect within 24 hours.

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