120-Year Sentence for Weld County Man Who Sexually Assaulted Two Minors
A Weld County judge handed down a sentence of more than a century to 48-year-old Christipher Shafer.
Shafer was convicted in June of five counts of sexual assault on a child in a position of trust of a victim less than 15 years old and as part of a pattern of abuse.
Weld County District Court Judge Timothy Kerns sentenced Shafer to 24 years for each count, totalling 120 years behind bars, and ordered them to be served consecutively.
There were two young girls who were found to be Shafer's victims, both assaulted by Shafer since 2016. When the assault started, the youngest victim was seven years old and the other was just nine years old.
According to the report from the Weld County DA, Shafer would not just sexually assault the two young girls, but if they refused, he would hit them in the head. He would also force them to watch pornography with him.
In 2018, the two girls finally came forward.
According to the release from the Weld County District Attorney's Office, they doubt that either of the girls' families truly knew who Shafer was. They explain that Shafer was much like any other sex offender: incredibly manipulative.
Judge Kerns commended the girls' bravery in testifying against Shafer. Sitting only feet away from the defendant, the girls told their stories, having to explain and relive the abuse Shafer put them through.
Judge Kerns commented further of the girls' futures and boldness, saying:
My hope for you girls is that you recognize that you have the ability to do and become whoever you wish to be in life. I view you girls as survivors and extremely strong young women.
Shafer will serve his 120-year sentence in the Colorado Department of Corrections.
In Colorado, there are several large names serving time in the supermax prison: