Aspen Police investigators took their time, 19 months, before closing a sexual assault allegation against a Catholic priest as “unfounded” on Wednesday.
There will be no charges filed against Father Michael O’Brien, who served at the St. Mary Catholic Church in Aspen from 2002 to 2011.
The investigation, conducted with the assistance of the 9th Judicial District Attorney’s Office and the FBI, began in September 2021 with an accusation of sexual assault against O’Brien regarding what was reported as a series of up to 300 incidents between 2004 and 2008 in Aspen, allegedly involving a juvenile victim.
Investigators with the Aspen Police Department said they spoke with at least 26 law-enforcement agencies, interviewed more than 80 witnesses and reviewed a polygraph report that O’Brien voluntarily submitted to. In total, the Aspen Police led by Detective Jeremy Johnson invested more than 500 hours into this case in an attempt to find the truth, according to the department.
“We understand the significant impact this case had on (the reporting person), Father O’Brien, St. Mary’s, and our community,” Detective Sergeant Rick Magnuson said. “We appreciate the patience that was given as investigators pursued this case. We are confident that we have reached the proper conclusion.”
“The reason it took 19 months was because there were multiple agencies involved, as well as attorneys on both sides, parties traveling. There were a lot of moving parts,” he said. “We had to get records...
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