Former Adams County teacher convicted of sex assaults on children
A former elementary school teacher in Adams County has been convicted of sexual assault on a child involving two female students.
Gilbert Joseph Trujillo, 67, was convicted Tuesday of four felony criminal charges involving assaults that took place at Dupont Elementary School, 7970 Kimberly St. in Commerce City, from 2005 to 2011, according to a district attorney’s news release.
Trujillo was convicted of one count of sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust as a pattern of abuse, one count of sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust, one count of attempted sexual assault by a person in a position of trust and one count of attempted sexual assault on a child.
Trujillo was charged in June 2015 with sexually assaulting six girls from August 2005 to May 2011 when they were students at Dupont, where he taught third, fourth and fifth grade. The victims were ages 9, 10 and 11, according to the DA’s office. The charges were filed based on an Adams County Sheriff’s Office investigation that began in November 2013.Victims told jurors that Trujillo gave them gifts, including candy, stuffed animals and jewelry, and that he wrote notes and “love letters,” according to prosecutors. Trujillo arranged to be alone with them in his classroom at recess or after school, often with blinds closed and the door locked. Victims said Trujillo hugged, kissed and touched them inappropriately on their buttocks, breasts and thighs. One victim testified that Trujillo had her sit on his lap and kissed her. A victim also testified that Trujillo exposed himself to her and attempted to digitally penetrate her.
“What you expect to hear from children is how their teacher taught them math skills or reading skills or how to love science, but that is not what these girls were taught,” senior deputy district attorney Yvette Guthrie told the jury during closing arguments. “The defendant taught them fear, shame and guilt.”
Sentencing is scheduled April 18. Trujillo, who is being held without bail, faces a prison sentence of eight years to life.