Thus far, law-enforcement sources have been extremely cautious about releasing information about the case against Ford. Indeed, prosecutors shared one detail only to ask the media not to divulge it.
As we previously reported, Ford, who's 37, had worked as a deputy with the Adams County Sheriff's Office for eight years.
Most recently, he'd been assigned to the jail division.
But that was before he was arrested at his home in Strasburg.
A day later, Adams County Sheriff Doug Darr spoke publicly about Ford's arrest. In remarks shared at a press conference, he avoided specifics about the case against Ford, preferring to speak in general terms.
"This is a violation of the public trust. We have a responsibility to make sure that the people who work within this agency are qualified, that they have the character and the ability to do the job, and to do it well," he said. "It's always disappointing when one of our own is accused. It's always disappointing when we have to stand in front of the camera like we are today to tell a story like this one."Yesterday, Ford appeared in court to hear the charges against him: sexual assault on a child as a pattern of conduct, sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust, sexual assault on a child and aggravated incest.
The crimes are said to have taken place between August 1, 2015 and April 9, shortly before Ford was taken into custody.
In announcing the charges, the 17th Judicial District DA's office also released the age of the victim. But then, five minutes later, public information officer Sue Lindsay sent out a followup note about the information. It reads: "I know this fact was contained in the news release, but the prosecutors and victim advocate are asking if media can refrain from identifying the victim's age because this will identify her in the small community in which they live. I would appreciate your honoring this request."
Ford's arrest report remains sealed. He's expected back in court on May 2 for a preliminary hearing, as well as a request for bond reduction.
Here's a CBS4 report about his bust and the comments of Sheriff Darr. That's followed by our previous coverage.
Continue to see our previous coverage of Henry Ford's arrest, including more photos. Original post, 6:33 a.m. April 11: It's always disturbing when a person tasked with enforcing the law is arrested for allegedly breaking it -- especially when the offense is something like sexual assault on a child, for which Denver Deputy Mark Davis was busted in 2010.Henry Ford, an Adams County deputy, now faces the same allegation -- and he's due in court this morning after being cuffed last night.
Authorities are keeping a tight hold on information at this writing. But here's what we know so far.
The Adams County Sheriff's Office has been in the news of late, and the coverage hasn't always been flattering. Note that last week, the family, friends and loved ones of RaeLyn Gonzales and her grandson, Fabian Gonzales, publicly protested the lack of progress in the investigation into their murders, which took place back in January. The fifty-year-old and the eighteen-month-old were stabbed to death.
Only after the protest did the ACSO post a new crime alert about the case on its Facebook page. The next day, April 9, the page's overseer shared posted an item noting that this week has been set aside to honor crime victims.However, there's nothing about the arrest of Ford, a deputy since 2006 currently assigned to the jail division. Sheriff Doug Darr is expected to elaborate later today.
In the meantime, Fox31 reports that Ford was busted at his home in Strasburg on Thursday.
The allegation: sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust.The station also spoke to a neighbor, who said Ford was known for yelling loudly at his wife and kids.
Presumably, Ford will be circumspect at his court hearing, scheduled for 8 a.m.
Send your story tips to the author, Michael Roberts.
More from our Colorado Crimes archive circa October 2010: "Mark Davis, Denver Deputy Sheriff, busted for investigation of sexual assault on a child."
