PARKER, Colo. — A man who worked at a Centennial school was arrested Thursday on multiple felony counts of sexual assault on a child, the Parker Police Department said.
Christopher Ballard, 26, was arrested at his home in the 600 block of Alkire Street in Lakewood. A search warrant was also executed at that home, according to investigators.
He faces the following charges:
- One count of sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust
- Three counts of sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust - pattern
- Five counts of sexual exploitation of a child
- Nine counts of unlawful sexual contact
- Four counts of obscenity
All of those charges are felonies.
Ballard started working at the Journey Academy, located at 7691 S. University Blvd. in Centennial, in May 2021.
He was known to go to their secondary location, Journey Life Center, at 6228 South Carr St. in Littleton.
The Parker Police Department, Douglas County Sheriff's Office and Jefferson County Sheriff's Office are each working with potential victims in their jurisdictions.
At a news conference on Thursday, Parker Police Cmdr. Chris Peters said investigators believe Ballard was a youth counselor and that he was working with youth directly at these facilities. Peters said he did not know whether Ballard had to undergo a background check to work at either facility or if he had any licenses.
A parent reported alleged abuse to Parker Police on March 2, after speaking with their child. Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly said at the news conference that his office identified two more victims from Douglas County, both young children.
"It’s critical that parents talk to their children, have those tough conversations," Weekly said. "We need to determine if we have additional victims or not."
"Parents don’t need to be experts in counseling," Peters said. "They just need to have an open ear and be supportive."
It's possible additional victims have not yet come forward. Anyone who thinks their child may have been a victim or knows someone who was victimized should contact Parker Detective Bev Wilson at 303-805-6561 or bwilson@parkerco.gov or Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Detective Randy Allen at 303-784-7802 or rallen@dcsheriff.net.
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