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Man Arrested for Allegedly Fondling Children in Aurora and Denver

(September 15) On July 29, 2022, the Denver Police Department responded to a report at Denver International Airport of a child being forcibly fondled. After speaking with the victim’s mother and reviewing surveillance video, investigators were able to identify the suspect as Joseph Spector (DOB 10/24/1977) and obtained a warrant for his arrest on September 6, 2022. Yesterday, Denver Police officers located and arrested Spector for Investigation of Sexual Assault - Fondling of a Child. Spector’s booking photo is attached.

In addition to this incident, the Aurora Police Department’s Crimes Against Children Unit identified Spector as a suspect in a similar incident, which reportedly occurred at Lava Island, located at 452 N. Sable Blvd. on September 6, 2022, at approximately 1:00 P.M. During this incident, it is alleged that a female child was forcibly fondled by the suspect. Spector will face charges for Sexual Assault on a Child (Pattern) in Arapahoe County relating to this incident that occurred in Aurora and be prosecuted by the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office.

Due to the apparent pattern, investigators believed there may be additional individuals in the community who have been victimized by Spector. Anyone with information about either of these incidents or wish to report an incident involving Spector, is encouraged to call the police agency where the incident occurred. The contact numbers for the Denver and Aurora Police Departments are:
• Denver Police Department- (720) 913-6040
• Aurora Police Department- (303) 627-3100

Per standard procedure, the determination of charges in these cases will be made by the respective District Attorney’s Offices.

Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Public Affairs Unit
720.432.5095

Joseph Spector

Posted by [email protected] On Sep 15, 2022 at 3:27 PM

Arrest Made In Shooting of Young Boy

(October 7, 2020) On August 19, 2020, at about 1:30 AM, Aurora Police Officers and Aurora Fire Rescue responded to the area of 16200 E 17^th Place on the report of an accidental shooting.

Once there, Officers found an 11-year-old male suffering from a gunshot wound. The child was transported to a local hospital but, tragically, he later succumbed to his injuries.

Further investigation into the matter lead to the arrest of an 18-year-old male (who was 17 years-old at the time of the incident). The male was arrested on October 5, 2020 for manslaughter, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, tampering with evidence, and possession of a handgun by a juvenile. The 17^th Judicial District Attorney’s Office will be prosecuting, and any additional media inquiries should be directed there.

Anyone with additional information about this incident is encouraged to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867). Tipsters can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.

Agent Faith Goodrich
Public Information Officer
Aurora Police Department
720.432.5095

Posted by [email protected] On Oct 07, 2020 at 3:26 PM

Aurora Police Arrest Teacher in Child Sexual Assault Investigation

On 08/20/2017, the Aurora Police Department received a report pertaining to allegations of inappropriate sexual conduct involving a suspect Brian Vasquez (DOB: 04/15/1983), a teacher who is currently employed at Prairie Middle School. As these allegations were investigated, more serious incidents came to light to include sexual assault between Vasquez and juvenile students.

Investigators are still working to investigate this matter and are still speaking with witnesses and victims. At this time limited information is being released as to protect the integrity of this very active, open investigation. Aurora Crimes Against Children (CAC) Detectives are investigating this incident as well as other incidents of sexual assault involving Vasquez and students.

On 8/22/2017, Vasquez was arrested and booked into the Aurora City Jail on the following charges: 3 counts of Sexual Assault on a Child- Position of Trust (‘Pattern of Abuse’ charging enhancer) and 5 counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Child. Vasquez has been placed on administrative leave by the Cherry Creek School District.

The Aurora Police Department is working in conjunction with the Cherry Creek School District and other school districts that have previously employed Vasquez to ensure that needs of victims are met. The cooperation of the Cherry Creek School district has been instrumental in aiding our investigation.

It is possible that there are additional persons who have been victimized by Vasquez and have not yet reported it. The Aurora Police Department is asking anybody who is a witness or has information about circumstances surrounding this investigation to please call the Crimes Against Children Tip-Line at (303) 739-6164. If there are any additional victims who are wishing to report to police, they are asked to call Police Dispatch at (303) 627-3100 immediately. A photo is being released to the public in the event that there are additional victims who have not yet come forward in filing a report with Police.

Because it is possible that there are additional victims, the Aurora Police Department is releasing Vasquez’s known previous work history that has been made available by the Cherry Creek School District:

-Social Studies Teacher (7th and 8th grade) at Prairie Middle School: 08/11/11 to current

-Destination Imagination Coach at Prairie Middle School: 10/2012- 01/2017

-Teacher at Mountain vista Community school in Harrison School District 2, (7th grade Geography and 8th grade U.S. History): 08/2009-06/2011

-Teacher at Mesa Ridge High School in Widefield School District 3 (9th grade Geography/ Social Studies, 10th grade World History, 11th grade U.S. History): 10/2007-06/2009

-Substitute Teacher in Widefield School District (grades 6th-12th, all subject areas): 04/2007-10/2007

-Student Teacher at Janitell High School in Widefield School District (7th grade Geography, 8th grade U.S. History): 05/2006-12/2006

-Youth Worker at the San Louis Valley Youth Detention Center in Alamosa, Colorado: 04/2004-04/2006

There is no further information available at this time.

Mugshot of Brian Vasquez

Photo Courtesy of Cherry Creek Schools

Officer Bill Hummel
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
303.739.6038

Posted by [email protected] On Aug 23, 2017 at 1:43 PM

Press Conference Reference Sexual Assault Investigation Involving a Teacher

PRESS CONFERENCE REFERENCE SEXUAL ASSAULT INVESTIGATION

WHAT: The Aurora Police Department and Cherry Creek School District

WHEN: Monday August 22, 2017 at 6:00 p.m.

WHERE: Aurora Police Headquarters, Office of the Chief of Police, 15001 East Alameda Parkway

WHO: Chief of Police, Nick Metz
Major Investigations Lieutenant, Stephen Redfearn
Cherry Creek Public Schools Superintendent, Harry Bull

CONTACT: Officer Bill Hummel, Public Information Officer for the Aurora Police Department (303) 739-6038.

PRESS CONFERENCE REFERENCE SEXUAL ASSAULT INVESTIGATION

Aurora, Colorado-The Aurora Police Department will be holding a press conference to brief the media about the circumstances related to an on-going sexual assault investigation. It is believed that there are multiple victims in this case and the suspect is a teacher at Prairie Middle School in Aurora.

The conference will take place today at Aurora Police Headquarters (15001 East Alameda Parkway) at 6:00 p.m.

The conference will be held in a secure location inside of police headquarters so the media is asked to arrive prior to 6:00 p.m. at the north doors of police headquarters near the crime lab vehicles. A representative of the Media Relations Unit will then provide access into the building.

Posted by [email protected] On Aug 22, 2017 at 4:38 PM