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A former Department of Corrections officer accused of sexually assaulting a child accepted a plea agreement Monday in district court.
Jeremy Gifford, 38, of Cañon City, was taken into custody after pleading guilty to charges of sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust and unlawful sexual contact.
As part of the plea agreement, Gifford will be required to follow a no-contact protection order with the victim, who was 9 years old when Gifford was arrested in March.
However, Gifford's attorney, Theodore McClintock, said treatment may require contact between Gifford and the victim, if the victim requests it. District Judge Lynette Wenner acknowledged the possibility to change the order but said the no-contact order will stay in place unless that happens.
According to the probable cause statement, the victim was living with Gifford part-time when the assaults were taking place. In interviews with police officers, the victim said Gifford would start "tickling" before moving on top of the victim.
In his interview with officers, Gifford said he couldn't figure out when there had been an attempt to touch the victim inappropriately.
"We horseplay ... we're an active family," he said.
Later in the interview, Gifford said that while he couldn't remember the assault happening, he didn't want to call the victim a liar.
Gifford will appear in court again March 28 for sentencing.
Sara Knuth: 719-276-7644, knuths@canoncitydailyrecord.com
