Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — The District Attorney's Office still has not decided whether to file charges against a former Routt County sheriff's deputy who was fired more than four months ago on allegations that he had sex multiple times with a 17-year-old girl.

Assistant District Attorney Kerry St. James said only that a decision has not been made on filing charges. He would not comment on when that decision would be made.

The sheriff's office fired the 34-year-old patrol deputy April 15, less than two days after the allegations surfaced and the employee was placed on administrative leave.

The sheriff's office handed the case over to the district attorney's office within days of the allegations. Before firing the man, the sheriff's office did its own internal investigation, but turned the case over to the DA's office to investigate potential criminal charges.

The deputy and the girl were involved in a school program together. Officials have said they would not speculate on what charges -- if any -- could be filed against the deputy.

The Colorado's Criminal Code indicates that, depending on the circumstances, it is not a crime for a 17-year-old to consent to sex with a 34-year old. However, it is a crime for an adult who is in a position of trust in relationship to a child younger than 18 to have sexual contact with that child.

In late May, attorney Charles Feldmann, who is representing the former deputy, said he thought a decision would be made by early June.

When that did not happen, Feldmann said he guessed the evidence was taking longer because of the time it takes to process evidence, such as DNA tests.