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Former Youth Pastor Sentenced To 90 Days In Jail, Supervised Probation

CENTENNIAL, Colo. (CBS4)- A judge in Arapahoe County has sentenced a former youth pastor who worked in Parker and Littleton to jail for sexual assault o a child by a person in a position of trust.

The judge sentenced Christopher Hutchinson to 90 days in jail on Friday, for inappropriately touching a 13-year-old girl. Hutchinson will also spend the next 20 years under "sex offender intensive supervised" probation.

Christopher Hutchinson
Christopher Hutchinson (credit: Arapahoe County)

That means Hutchinson cannot have internet access or contact with children under the age of 18 unless it is approved by a community team.

The victim in the case, who is now 15 years old, spoke to the court on Friday. She explained how at the time of the crime, she was in a low period of her life and depressed.

When she met with the pastor in a park, on one occasion he inappropriately touched her. She said her trust was completely broken.

"The position of trust is really what this case is about. He was her youth minister. He was asked by the family and community to give her counsel and support and help her find her path," said 18th Judicial District Managing Chief DA Leora Joseph.

The defendant had a huge show of support in court on Friday along with 46 letters of support written to the court.

The 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office had asked for four years in prison. The charges did not carry mandatory prison time in Colorado, that decision was left up to the judge.

"This was a 13-year-old who said, 'I felt vulnerable and that's why I reached out to this guy' and this guy exploited that vulnerability," said 18th Judicial District Attorney George Brauchler.

Hutchinson has already served 60 days of his 90 days sentenced.

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