Man arrested on sexual assault warrant; police concerned more victims exist
On Tuesday morning, the man accused of that crime turned himself into the Larimer County Jail after a felony sexual assault warrant was issued for his arrest. Police arrested Aaron Moore, 23, and he was given a $5,000 cash bond on Tuesday afternoon.
Man charged with first-degree murder in deadly shooting at adult venue
'We know that crimes involving sexual assault are often traumatic,' said Sgt. Dan Calahan, who oversees the Fort Collins Police Services Crimes Against Persons Unit. 'Our team of detectives and advocates are committed to guiding survivors through the legal system and supporting them on their path to recovery.'
In a release, police said the victim told officers she was part of a group of friends who were socializing and drinking in downtown Fort Collins. Afterward, she said she shared a ride with Moore to his residence, where the assault occurred. Police said they interviewed multiple witnesses about the evening's progression before requesting an arrest warrant for Moore.
Court records show that the alleged crime occurred on April 27, 2023.
Police said Moore was a Colorado State University student at the time of the assault and that CSU Police and the Title IX office are cooperating with the investigation. Detectives said details they've uncovered indicate that there could be other victims.
Suspect wanted in Vail for alleged $3K damage to ice sculpture
Moore is facing two felony charges:
Sexual assault – victim is physically helpless
Sexual assault – victim is unable to appraise their conduct
He is scheduled to appear in Larimer County Court on Feb. 25.
Anyone with information about this or other incidents is asked to contact Fort Collins Police Services Criminalist David Blake at dblake@fcgov.com. Anyone who would like to remain anonymous should contact the Larimer County Crime Stoppers at 970-221-6868 or stopcriminals.org.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Washington Post
a day ago
- Washington Post
Tensions in Maryland juvenile justice circles erupt over scathing audit
Three top officials overseeing Maryland's juvenile detention facilities were fired this week after a state ombudsman published a report containing allegations of numerous problems inside those buildings, including contraband drugs, food quality concerns, staffing shortages and a sexual incident among three young people who were incarcerated. The report, a mandated quarterly update on oversight work by the Juvenile Justice Monitoring Unit (JJMU), was published on Monday and is based on observations from the first six months of the year, when former juvenile services secretary Vincent Schiraldi was still leading the department. The report lays blame for the alleged problems, some of which have been chronic for decades, at the feet of Schiraldi's team and encourages state officials to 'determine a new direction,' a recommendation that underscores tensions between Schiraldi and Gov. Wes Moore's (D) administration since the former secretary left his position in June. Schiraldi did not respond to a request for comment, but his former chief of staff, Marc Schindler, said the report contains inaccuracies that their team was not allowed to address before it was published, including context regarding allegations that their team tried to withhold information from the ombudsman. State law mandates that JJMU reports include a written response from the Department of Juvenile Services, but this one did not — deviating from a practice that has existed for decades across dozens of watchdog evaluations. 'Fair-minded people who look at this report will have lots of questions,' said Schindler, who was also Schiraldi's deputy secretary. Acting Department of Juvenile Services Secretary Betsy Fox Tolentino said in a statement that she received a copy of the report on July 29, the day after it was published, and the firings — which the corrections watchdog recommended — happened July 30. 'The report confirms, with some truly appalling detail, many of the same challenges that I have learned about during my first weeks in my role as acting secretary as I visited facilities, spoke directly with staff, and assessed urgent operational changes,' Tolentino said in a statement. 'I am deeply troubled by the unacceptable conditions that some of our young people are facing in our care and it is absolutely unacceptable that some of our staff do not feel safe at work.' Adina Levi, deputy secretary of residential services, was terminated, as were two of her team members, according to a letter obtained by The Washington Post and interviews with people who have knowledge of the firings. Levi did not respond to a request for comment. The report was published at a politically fraught time for Moore's administration, as a fractured coalition of state officials, lawmakers, law enforcement and advocates grapple with how to best care for the children in the state's juvenile justice system. Moore appointed Schiraldi to reform the department in 2023, a move hailed by youth justice advocates as a bold step forward for an embattled agency that was once investigated by the Justice Department. But after two and a half years on the job, Schiraldi resigned in early June amid intense scrutiny from Republicans, prosecutors and some community members who worried his approach was too soft amid a spike in juvenile crime that has since subsided. Moore initially praised Schiraldi's work, then later said he had 'ordered' his resignation. The governor immediately appointed Tolentino, who Schiraldi said he had recommended to succeed him and who had worked within the department for many years. She also worked closely with Schiraldi's team through her most recent role at the Roca Impact Institute. The JJMU audit is the first quarterly report to publish since the department's change in leadership and since Nick Moroney, the longtime director of the JJMU, resigned this spring. The JJMU, which has existed for decades, was housed under the Office of the Attorney General until last year, when the Maryland General Assembly passed legislation creating a new, independent Office of the Correctional Ombudsman. The juvenile monitors were relocated under the ombudsman's umbrella, and the governor appointed Yvonne Briley-Wilson to lead the office. The report — which combines two quarters — was overseen by Briley-Wilson because the JJMU director role has been vacant since the departure of Moroney. He said he left because he did not agree with Briley-Wilson's 'methodology' or the direction she was taking the unit he had led for more than a decade. Both Moroney and Schindler said that it's impossible to get a full picture of the incidents and allegations documented in the report because the ombudsman did not follow the state law that requires prepublication response from the department. The report includes potentially identifying information about children in the state's care, including details from their private medical files, which Moroney called inappropriate. He said the exclusion of a DJS response — and the call for specific individuals to lose their jobs — in the report was 'unprecedented.' He oversaw the assembly of dozens of such reports during his more than 17 years with the office, he said, and all included a written response from the department. The law requires the quarterly reports from the JJMU to include 'actions taken by the Department resulting from the findings and recommendations of the Unit, including the Department's response.' Briley-Wilson said in a statement that the JJMU 'regularly conducted investigations and submitted debriefing reports to DJS,' and that the report released this week was 'submitted appropriately and as required by law. We stand by the content and recommendations of the report.' Spokespersons for the governor and the Department of Juvenile Services did not respond to questions about the state statute requirements. Moore said in a statement on Wednesday that the findings were 'unconscionable, unacceptable, and must be addressed in the swiftest and most certain terms.' Tolentino, the governor said, 'is deeply engaged in the full-scale work to correct the systemic failures that contributed to the report's findings.' Among those findings was a May incident at Green Ridge Youth Center in Western Maryland, where three students had engaged in sexual activity with one another in a dorm sleeping area. The sexual conduct had taken place in a bunk bed behind a sheet that had been draped from the upper wrung, which violated the department's policy regarding privacy screens, according to the report. Surveillance video footage of the incident shows a Green Ridge staff member lifting up the sheet and walking away without removing it, though it is not clear from the report what the staffer saw behind the sheet. One of the involved young people had previously told staff he felt unsafe and had asked to be moved, according to the report, though it did not specify what had made him feel unsafe. The incident was reported by a young person to a case manager, and the department's inspector general and the JJMU were notified. In the report, Briley-Wilson said Schiraldi's team delayed providing the video footage and other requested documents to the ombudsman, writing that she had requested for numerous video files to be shared by email and was denied. Schindler said that department officials told Briley-Wilson's team that their requests were 'inconsistent with long-standing and mutually accepted practices' and that they could view the video in person at the facility to protect the confidential information of juveniles. He said that the ombudsman did not respond to numerous requests to meet with DJS leaders. 'Failure to include this information in the report resulted in an inaccurate portrayal of DJS's willingness to share information and its commitment to transparency,' Schindler said. The report outlined widespread issues with contraband and drugs in four of the state's juvenile facilities, including suboxone strips and vape pens. The report said that 'systemwide staff shortages have created potentially unsafe environments for both staff and students,' including situations where low staffing meant girls at Western Maryland Children's Center were put in 'pseudo-seclusions' in their rooms. The state employee union, AFSCME Maryland, has voiced similar concerns about staffing shortages. Criticisms regarding facility cleanliness, tattered clothing, spoiled food and the handling of an evacuation at Green Ridge during heavy rainfall in May were also documented in the report. On Wednesday, Tolentino sent Briley-Wilson a six-page response letter to the report, thanking the ombudsman for 'continued oversight and partnership' and saying she is 'fully committed to transparency.' That letter included a response to the report's many recommendations and what actions the department has taken so far to address them. 'The JJMU report provides a strong foundation for us to move forward,' she wrote, 'and address long-standing challenges that arose under previous leadership.'
Fox News
2 days ago
- Fox News
White House makes statement after Brooke Slusser comes forward with SJSU volleyball allegations
EXCLUSIVE: The White House provided an exclusive statement to Fox News Digital after former San Jose State volleyball player Brooke Slusser came forward with allegations related to her final college volleyball season in 2024 — a season that involved a transgender teammate being investigated for allegedly conspiring to have Slusser harmed during a game. "Women deserve to play sports without fear of being violated and harassed by biological men. President Trump is returning integrity to women's sports by ending the deranged left's policies that demean and endanger women," White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers told Fox News Digital. The statement came after an inquiry into a response to Fox News Digital's reporting on a Mountain West Conference investigation into allegations that former SJSU trans athlete Blaire Fleming conspired with a Colorado State player to have Slusser spiked in the face during an Oct. 3 match. President Donald Trump's Department of Education opened a federal Title IX investigation into San Jose State in February over the situation involving Fleming and the university's handling of the trans athlete. Slusser issued a response to the White House statement. "I love the steps the White House has taken to eliminate men in women's sports, but as of now, there is so much change that still needs to be made. We have seen baby steps in the right direction, but we still have girls out there having to deal with men on their teams and in their locker rooms," Slusser said. "I feel this needs to be a massive priority so we can stop this madness sooner rather than later. Girls are still suffering every day until we can put a complete stop to these people's false reality and put them where they belong, which is with men's sports." Slusser previously alleged in a lawsuit, signed by 10 other current or former women's college volleyball players against the Mountain West and representatives of SJSU, that Fleming and other teammates snuck out of the team hotel the night before an Oct. 3 game against Colorado State and met with an opposing player. The lawsuit alleged a teammate who snuck out with Fleming later told players and coaches of an alleged plan by Fleming, in a conspiracy with the Colorado State player, to have Slusser spiked in the face during a match. The lawsuit and complaint alleged the players who snuck out told other players and coaches they saw Fleming also hand over an SJSU scouting report with an agreement to throw the match in Colorado State's favor. In November, the Mountain West Conference launched an investigation into the allegations but concluded "sufficient evidence" could not be found. Slusser now claims she had a conversation with a teammate who was interviewed as part of the conference's investigation into Fleming's alleged plan. Fox News Digital is not disclosing the identity of the teammate. "Based on what I was told, exactly what one of my teammates had seen go on that night — about talking about the scouting report and leaving the net open — was told to those lawyers. So, that should have been sufficient evidence [of the alleged plan by Fleming]," Slusser told Fox News Digital, adding she wants to see the investigation reopened. "People are telling you this happened, and it's not second-hand information. She sat there and heard the conversation between Blaire and [former Colorado State volleyball player] Malaya [Jones]. So, to me, just from what I know without even having to dig deep into this investigation, there is sufficient evidence, and they were told sufficient evidence." Fox News Digital cannot independently verify that Slusser's teammate corroborated the allegations against Fleming when speaking to investigators. Slusser has alleged university officials hid knowledge of Fleming's birth sex from her while allegedly frequently pairing the two in the same bedroom on overnight trips. "I'm openly changing in front of this person, thinking that it's a woman, and … I could have had the chance to take myself out of that situation and at least go to a different room and request to be switched to another room and didn't," she said. "So, I got that opportunity of my choice to be taken away from me." Slusser said after she joined Riley Gaines' lawsuit against the NCAA in September, citing her experience with Fleming, interactions with trans athletes quickly turned hostile. "After I joined the lawsuit, Blaire did not like me whatsoever. There was a time where Blaire said, 'I never want to speak to you again.' And I said, 'OK, that's fine,'" Slusser said. "I just knew there was hatred toward me from Blaire." Fox News Digital interviewed San Jose State athletic director Jeff Konya to inquire about Slusser's claims and other details of the investigation. However, Konya stood up after just around five minutes of related questions and walked away, saying "I'm done." Fox News Digital played a video clip of Slusser reciting these allegations to Konya at Mountain West media days July 15. "I have no idea if she's telling the truth or not," Konya said of Slusser's claims. Konya could not confirm or deny whether any of the witnesses interviewed corroborated the allegations against Fleming. When asked if he was satisfied with how the university handled the controversy involving Fleming in 2024, Konya said, "I think everybody acted in the best possible way they could, given the circumstances." Slusser made an attempt to return to play one season of beach volleyball in the NCAA, which she had a year of eligibility for, entering the transfer portal this past spring around the time of her graduation from SJSU. However, after communicating with several Division I coaches about potential offers, she pulled herself out of the transfer portal and abandoned the idea. Slusser cited concern about her well-being and potential retaliation for her beliefs and public profile, citing her experience with SJSU, Fleming and the controversial investigation into the trans athlete's alleged plan to harm her. "I could have gotten there and could have had a lot of retaliation from just students or staff or the athletes even, and I didn't know if that was something I could handle going through again," Slusser said, adding she had no faith "at all" she would be protected in the event of retaliation. "I was never shown that at an institution I thought I could trust … so I could really trust no one. … There was a lot of fears going through that transfer process." Education Secretary Linda McMahon previously told Fox News Digital that the Trump Education Department will continue working to address the SJSU investigation. "Our investigation will continue," McMahon said. Fox News Digital has reached out to the Mountain West, Willkie Farr & Gallagher, San Jose State University, Kress, Colorado State University and Jones' current school, Southern Methodist University (SMU), for a response to all reported findings and the allegations by the Slusser family and Batie-Smoose. Jones transferred to SMU after the end of last season. When asked if Mountain West would disclose any evidence from the investigation, particularly if any of the witnesses interviewed corroborated the allegations against Fleming, the conference declined. "With litigation ongoing, the Mountain West will have no further comment," a conference spokesperson said. San Jose State has declined to respond to Slusser's claims as well. "Due to ongoing litigation and federal investigation, we are unable to respond to your inquiry," a university spokesperson told Fox News Digital. Fox News Digital has attempted to reach Fleming via social media for comment.
Boston Globe
4 days ago
- Boston Globe
Amherst middle school counselor to be reinstated after being fired for allegedly misgendering students
The district failed to document disciplinary measures against the counselor over the alleged actions, and the arbitrator lacked evidence, documents, and key witnesses during arbitration, according to a recent statement from the superintendent. Dykes and her attorney did not respond to requests for comment. However, Dykes's attorney, Ryan P. McLane, who also represented two other employees, in 2023 told the Globe in an e-mail the allegations are unfounded. Advertisement 'My clients did not engage in 'conversion therapy' or any Title IX violation,' he wrote at the time. 'They are Christians, but that does not mean that they are somehow not entitled to a fair investigation. While the law prohibits discrimination based on sex, it also prohibits discrimination based on religious beliefs.' As Dykes is likely to return to the middle school for the new school year in a few weeks, students, parents, and advocates are calling on the district to prevent Dykes from interacting with students. Related : Advertisement Superintendent E. Xiomara Herman, who joined the district in July 2024, said she's working to build transparent systems and to ensure accountability. 'We cannot change the past, but we can and must learn from it. We will use this moment to build stronger systems, reset expectations, tighten guardrails, and create clearer pathways forward,' Herman said. The superintendent acknowledged many oppose Dykes's reinstatement, and asked the community to be understanding and not divisive. 'While we are complying fully with the legal requirements outlined in the arbitration ruling, our long-term focus remains on building systems that reflect our values, protect our students, and holds us all to a high standard of professional conduct,' she said. The district's legal team is working with Dykes's attorneys to ensure the arbitrator's order is implemented, Herman said. Related : During a School Committee meeting July 22, dozens of parents, students, and advocates asked the board and Herman to prevent Dykes from interacting with students. Some pointed to Dyke's alleged behavior documented in a 'If there is no other option, and we have to allow her back into the schools, I ask you to make sure that she not be put into any position where she'll be interfacing with any students at all,' Amber Cano-Martin, who has two children in the district, told School Committee members. She said she planned to write letters to staff indicating her children can have no contact with the counselor. Advertisement Jill Brevik, an Amherst resident and parent of a transgender child, said her family is 'devastated' by the news Dykes will be reinstated. 'While the arbitrator ruled that her termination was flawed procedurally, that does not erase what the investigation actually found,' Brevik said. 'How can someone with this depth of bigotry be returned to a role of authority and trust over vulnerable children? Especially if there's no apology, no recognition of wrongdoing or reconciliation with everybody that has been harmed.' Laura Jane Hunter, whose husband is a teacher at the middle school and two children attend the district's high school, said she doesn't want any of her children near Dykes. 'I don't think she should ever be allowed to be near any student. She should not be in any student-facing position,' Hunter said. 'I don't understand what happened, what went wrong. I want transparency. I want to understand fully where the district failed.' Many who spoke at the meeting acknowledged Herman is a new superintendent, but they still want an explanation of how the district could let Dykes win her appeal due to procedural errors. 'Within your role, you have the purview of setting policies. It is your responsibility right now to review all your policies in relation to bullying, LGBTQIA, racism, so forth and so on,' said Jed Proujansky, a member of the select board of Leverett. 'You need to address those policies, review them with complete transparency, so the community once again has faith and trust in the board and the school district.' Proujansky then addressed Herman directly, stating she has the responsibility of monitoring Dykes's actions as the counselor returns to the district. Herman should make sure Dykes's relationships with students and colleagues are appropriate, he said. Advertisement After public comment, Herman said she's spent a great deal of time reflecting about the district's systems. 'The arbitration decision highlighted long-standing gaps in how we document, communicate, and enforce expectations related to personnel,' Herman said. 'These issues didn't appear overnight. They point to a deeper problem—a system where practices around supervision, performance management, and accountability have too often been informal or inconsistently applied." Change is often uncomfortable, she said, but fear of retaliation will no longer be an excuse to avoid mandatory reporting. Ahead of the school year, Herman will release a complaint and communication guide 'to bring clarity, consistency, and transparency.' Marcela Rodrigues can be reached at
