By Robert Sanchez, News Staff Writer
January 20, 2001, Saturday
Copyright 2001 Denver Publishing Company
Denver Rocky Mountain News
January 20, 2001, Saturday
(DOUGLAS COUNTY, Col.) -- Three deputies received misdemeanor citations Friday in the sex scandal at the Douglas County sheriff’s department.
The deputies were cited on suspicion of failing to report the alleged sexual assaults on a teen-age Ex cadet by two fellow deputies, the sheriff’s office said Friday.
Sgt. John C. Rose, 36, the Explorer program’s lead adviser and an 11-year veteran, was one of the deputies charged. Rose earned a community service award in May for his work with the cadets.
The other two are Sgt. Darren L. Lantz, 31, and Deputy Kurt Scheuermann, 32.
They will appear in court Feb. 6 on misdemeanor charges of failing to report child abuse or neglect and second-degree official misconduct, sheriff’s Sgt. Tim Moore said.
The charges came a day after the sheriff’s office recommended felony sex- assault charges be brought against Deputies Mark K. Conrad, 34, and William A. Steinmeyer, 36. They are suspected of having sex with a 17-year-old female cadet at separate times in Denver and Gilpin counties.
In addition to the felony, Steinmeyer could face a misdemeanor sexual assault charge.
The Denver District Attorney’s office and the 1st Judicial District are reviewing the cases. Douglas County sheriff’s investigators also could pursue more charges, Moore said.
Steinmeyer has been placed on leave without pay. The other four are on paid leave. Rose and Scheuermann have been removed from the Explorer program.
None of the five deputies was available for comment Friday.
News4 reported Friday that Conrad has a criminal record. Prior to his time on the Douglas County force, he reported a misdemeanor conviction in a job application for the Lamar police.
During a 1989 trip to Florida, he explained on the form, he was arrested for soliciting a prostitute. He was sentenced to three months’ probation and a fine.
An investigation into the alleged sexual encounters began two weeks ago after rumors circulated in the sheriff’s office about improper conduct.
A separate internal investigation into the incidents could continue for three weeks, Moore said. An administrative hearing will follow.
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