Latest news with #SolomonGalligan
Fox News
4 days ago
- Fox News
Prosecutors plan to drop charges against sex offender in elementary school alleged kidnapping attempt
Print Close By Stepheny Price Published July 14, 2025 Prosecutors in Colorado plan to drop charges against a registered sex offender accused of trying to kidnap a child from an elementary school because he was found incompetent to stand trial. The 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office, which covers Arapahoe County and includes Aurora and Littleton, informed FOX31 on Friday that it intends to dismiss charges against Solomon Galligan. The 33-year-old faces one count of attempted kidnapping after he allegedly tried to take an 11-year-old boy during recess at Black Forest Hills Elementary School in April 2024. Aurora police previously reported that Galligan is a registered sex offender, with his registration tied to the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office. PROGRESSIVE PROSECUTOR LETS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT TEEN OFF EASY AFTER 90-MPH CRASH THAT KILLED 24-YEAR-OLD WOMAN After his arrest, Galligan underwent a mental competency evaluation that determined he was unfit to stand trial. As a result, prosecutors claimed they have no choice but to drop the charges. "When a defendant is found mentally incompetent to stand trial and is being civilly committed for mental health treatment, we are legally obligated to dismiss charges per state law," the district attorney's office told Fox News Digital. "However, we have until the end of the month to file a formal Motion to Dismiss. This has not yet occurred." Galligan's guilt is not the issue for prosecutors. The alleged crime was captured on video that showed a man chasing after and grabbing at a student as other children ran away. "It's super scary to watch," Dante White, whose child encountered the suspect, told FOX31 when the incident happened. "Especially seeing the perpetrator, the pictures of him. I would be freaked out if that guy touched me. It was an attempted kidnapping." FORMER PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHER CHARGED WITH MULTIPLE SEXUAL OFFENSES AGAINST 3 CHILDREN In the aftermath of the incident, parents at the Aurora school submitted a 10-page letter to Cherry Creek School District officials, demanding an independent review of the school's handling of the situation. School district officials conducted an investigation, where former Black Forrest Hills Elementary School Principal Amanda Replogle was replaced, the outlet reported. "The information obtained through this investigation has led us to decide that we need to make an administrative change at Black Forest Hills," a previous statement from the district sent to FOX31 read. "We are making that change now so that we can move forward with the final weeks of the school year in a positive and productive way." MARRIED FLORIDA MATH TEACHER, 32, ACCUSED OF CLASSROOM SEX WITH STUDENT DURING LUNCHTIME Replogle admitted that it was a "clear misstep" that the school was not placed on secure status after the incident. "I, along with district leadership, own that mistake. There was confusion at the time and we did not know all the details of what occurred as we do now," Replogle said in a letter obtained by FOX31 that was sent to the district. The school district told FOX31 that reforms have been implemented since the kidnapping attempt, including security protocol enhancements, increased security presence, and prioritizing student mental health support by offering options for indoor recess as an alternative for safety and comfort. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Fox News Digital reached out to the Cherry Creek School District for comment but did not immediately receive a response. Print Close URL
News.com.au
4 days ago
- News.com.au
Sex offender to walk free after ‘super scary' attempted kidnapping
Prosecutors in Colorado plan to drop charges against a registered sex offender accused of trying to kidnap a child from a US elementary school because he was found incompetent to stand trial. The 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office, which covers Arapahoe County and includes Aurora and Littleton, informed FOX31 on Friday that it intends to dismiss charges against Solomon Galligan. The 33-year-old faces one count of attempted kidnapping after he allegedly tried to take an 11-year-old boy during recess at Black Forest Hills Elementary School in April 2024. Aurora police previously reported that Galligan is a registered sex offender. After his arrest, Galligan underwent a mental competency evaluation that determined he was unfit to stand trial. As a result, prosecutors claimed they have no choice but to drop the charges. Galligan's guilt is not the issue for prosecutors. The alleged crime was captured on video that showed a man chasing after and grabbing at a student as other children ran away. 'It's super scary to watch,' Dante White, whose child encountered the suspect, told FOX31 when the incident happened. 'Especially seeing the perpetrator, the pictures of him. I would be freaked out if that guy touched me. It was an attempted kidnapping.' In the aftermath of the incident, parents at the Aurora school submitted a 10-page letter to Cherry Creek School District officials, demanding an independent review of the school's handling of the situation. School district officials conducted an investigation, where former Black Forrest Hills Elementary School Principal Amanda Replogle was replaced, the outlet reported. 'The information obtained through this investigation has led us to decide that we need to make an administrative change at Black Forest Hills,' a previous statement from the district sent to FOX31 read. 'We are making that change now so that we can move forward with the final weeks of the school year in a positive and productive way.' Replogle admitted that it was a 'clear misstep' that the school was not placed on secure status after the incident. 'I, along with district leadership, own that mistake. There was confusion at the time and we did not know all the details of what occurred as we do now,' Replogle said in a letter obtained by FOX31 that was sent to the district. The school district told FOX31 that reforms have been implemented since the kidnapping attempt, including security protocol enhancements, increased security presence, and prioritising student mental health support by offering options for indoor recess as an alternative for safety and comfort. Fox News Digital reached out to the Cherry Creek School District and Arapahoe County District Attorney's Office for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
New York Post
5 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Colo. DA 'will be recalled' in case of trans sex offender accused of trying to kidnap boy
A Democratic prosecutor in Colorado 'will be recalled'' for moving to dismiss charges against a transgender sex offender accused of trying to kidnap a boy from a schoolyard, a local pol told The Post on Monday. The district attorney's office in Colorado's 18th Judicial District told Fox31 that it is planning to drop the raps against Solomon Galligan, 33, after he allegedly attempted to snatch the 11-year-old during recess at Black Forest Hills Elementary School in Aurora in April 2024. 3 Suspected wannabe child-snatcher Solomon Galligan looks eerie in his mugshot. Aurora police department Advertisement Galligan underwent a competency evaluation after his arrest and was found 'mentally incompetent,' the DA's office said. 3 Arapahoe County District Attorney Amy Padden is moving to dismiss charges against the alleged kidnapper. Office of the District Attorney for the 18th Judicial District Prosecutors said they're now 'planning to drop charges against the defendant, which is required by law when they are found mentally incompetent to stand trial.' Advertisement But Aurora City Councilwoman Danielle Jurinsky disputed that stance and told The Post an 'effort' to 'recall' Democratic DA Amy Padden 'is well under way and will begin this week' — and ensured that it will be successful. 'The conduct of the 18th DA over the past six months is beyond deplorable. This is simply the icing on the cake,' said Jurinsky, a Republican. 'The progressive attitude will not be tolerated,' she said. 'While certain state laws highlight deeper issues in the state of Colorado, Amy Padden will be recalled for her part in not upholding the laws and punishing criminals.' 3 Security footage of the kidnapping attempt outside an elementary school shows children running from the criminal. KDVR Advertisement The suspected sex fiend's older sister, Sarah Galligan, even told 9News in April 2024 that her brother has been in and out of jail for 12 years and that it's not safe for community or himself to be out on the streets. She said her sibling, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder when he was 16, was deemed unfit to stand trial in previous instances and wasn't institutionalized because of a shortage of beds in mental-health centers. 'It just really sucks he had to do something so eye-catching for everybody to see he's not well, and he's not OK to be out and be on his own,' she said at the time. Amanda Morris, Solomon's niece, added, 'This has been like the fourth time that we're sitting here thinking, 'How the hell did he get released? Who's letting him out?' ' Advertisement Solomon Galligan shared the news of his gender transition in a 2011 Facebook post and later identified as a woman. That same year he was placed on the sex-offender registry after he was convicted of non-consent sexual contact. 'So im starting my hormone shots and i relly cant wait im on my hormone pills ive been on them for almost 4 months i wake up all depressed and crying but in the end its gonna be totally worth it you know what io mean im really excited my measurements are already changing and im super thrilled,' he wrote at the time. During his latest alleged crime, Galligan was captured on surveillance video approaching students playing in a field just moments before they scattered and screamed, 'Stranger danger!' Galligan allegedly grabbed one of the youngsters but lost his grip when he tripped on a white blanket he was carrying, according to a police report. The young child later told cops that Galligan had white powder smeared on his face and reeked of alcohol. Galligan fled the scene but was located by cops at a nearby Walgreens. The DA's office told The Post in a statement, 'We have not yet filed the formal motion to Dismiss. Advertisement 'We have until the end of the month to do so. The defendant is being civilly committed into mental health treatment. However, we are legally prohibited from discussing the details surrounding his competency beyond saying that he's been found mentally incompetent to proceed. 'When a defendant is found incompetent to proceed, we are legally obligated to dismiss charges. Our hands are tied based on the findings of competency. However, they are not being released to the public.'
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Daily Mail
Transgender sex offender with terrifying mugshot to walk FREE after trying to abduct child from school
A transgender sex offender who was arrested for trying to kidnap a young boy outside a Colorado school will not be charged with a crime after authorities determined he was mentally incompetent. Solomon Galligan, 35, was arrested in April 2024 after allegedly walking onto the grounds of Black Forest Hills Elementary School in Aurora and tried to grab an 11-year-old boy during fifth-grade recess. He was arrested and charged with one count of attempted kidnapping. Now, in a shock move, prosecutors have announced that they plan to drop charges against Galligan because he is 'mentally incompetent,' FOX31 reported. A spokesperson for Colorado 's 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office told the Daily Mail on Monday that it has yet to file a formal motion to dismiss the case, but noted that Galligan is being 'civilly committed into mental health treatment.' 'Bottom line: When a defendant is found incompetent to proceed, we are legally obligated to dismiss charges,' the spokesperson said, adding that prosecutors have until the end of the month to file the motion. 'Our hands are tied based on the findings of competency.' The decision came after Galligan underwent an evaluation following the arrest that determined him unfit to stand trial. Galligan, who is a registered sex offender in Pueblo County, Colorado, was convicted in 2011 for nonconsensual grabbing, touching or groping another person's intimate body parts, per the affidavit. Surveillance video of the 2024 incident showed him chasing after and grabbing the 11–year–old child as other students fled the scene. Other children on the scene yelled 'stranger danger' to alert adults to an unwanted person on school grounds, an arrest affidavit stated. The youngster was able to escape when Galligan tripped over a blanket he was carrying. The child reported that he had white powder on his face and wreaked of alcohol. Galligan's competency has been raised in previous criminal cases, prosecutors said. According to public records obtained by the Daily Mail, Galligan has an extensive criminal arrest record, including for assault, trespassing, theft and unlawful sexual contact. He was arrested twice, in 2012 and 2024, for failing to register as a sex offender, FOX31 reported. In 2011, Galligan shared photos and details online relating to his gender transition. 'So I'm starting my hormone shots and I really can't wait I'm on my hormone pills I've been on them for almost 4 months,' one post read. 'I wake up all depressed and crying but in the end its gonna be totally worth it you know what I mean I'm really excited my measurements are already changing and I'm super thrilled.' After the alleged 2024 kidnapping, parents of students at the Aurora Elementary School wrote a 10–page letter to Cherry Creek School District Leaders, calling for an independent investigation into the school's response to the concerning incident. The parents' action led to a change in leadership at the school, with the principal departing in May – just weeks after the incident. Principal Amanda Replogle was replaced with an acting principal through the end of the school year. In a letter to the school community on April 24, Replogle admitted it was a 'clear misstep' to not place the school on secure status after the incident. 'I, along with district leadership, own that mistake. There was confusion at the time and we did not know all the details of what occurred as we do now,' Replogle said in the letter.
Fox News
5 days ago
- Fox News
Prosecutor to let registered sex offender walk free after elementary school kidnapping attempt
Prosecutors in Colorado plan to drop charges against a registered sex offender accused of trying to kidnap a child from an elementary school because he was found incompetent to stand trial. The 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office, which covers Arapahoe County and includes Aurora and Littleton, informed FOX31 on Friday that it intends to dismiss charges against Solomon Galligan. The 33-year-old faces one count of attempted kidnapping after he allegedly tried to take an 11-year-old boy during recess at Black Forest Hills Elementary School in April 2024. Aurora police previously reported that Galligan is a registered sex offender, with his registration tied to the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office. After his arrest, Galligan underwent a mental competency evaluation that determined he was unfit to stand trial. As a result, prosecutors claimed they have no choice but to drop the charges. Galligan's guilt is not the issue for prosecutors. The alleged crime was captured on video that showed a man chasing after and grabbing at a student as other children ran away. "It's super scary to watch," Dante White, whose child encountered the suspect, told FOX31 when the incident happened. "Especially seeing the perpetrator, the pictures of him. I would be freaked out if that guy touched me. It was an attempted kidnapping." In the aftermath of the incident, parents at the Aurora school submitted a 10-page letter to Cherry Creek School District officials, demanding an independent review of the school's handling of the situation. School district officials conducted an investigation, where former Black Forrest Hills Elementary School Principal Amanda Replogle was replaced, the outlet reported. "The information obtained through this investigation has led us to decide that we need to make an administrative change at Black Forest Hills," a previous statement from the district sent to FOX31 read. "We are making that change now so that we can move forward with the final weeks of the school year in a positive and productive way." Replogle admitted that it was a "clear misstep" that the school was not placed on secure status after the incident. "I, along with district leadership, own that mistake. There was confusion at the time and we did not know all the details of what occurred as we do now," Replogle said in a letter obtained by FOX31 that was sent to the district. The school district told FOX31 that reforms have been implemented since the kidnapping attempt, including security protocol enhancements, increased security presence, and prioritizing student mental health support by offering options for indoor recess as an alternative for safety and comfort. Fox News Digital reached out to the Cherry Creek School District and Arapahoe County District Attorney's Office for comment but did not immediately receive a response. Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration, and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to
