LARIMER COUNTY, Colo. — A former youth pastor in Larimer County is accused of sexually assaulting multiple children - with some of the alleged assaults dating back to the 1990s, according to the Larimer County Sheriff's Office.
Hipolito Gomez-Perdomo, 65, was arrested last month and faces five counts of sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust and one count of sexual assault on a child. Additional charges are pending.
Early last year, a woman reported that Gomez-Perdomo assaulted her in the early 2000s. She told investigators she did not initially report the abuse out of fear of possible repercussions. According to the sheriff's office, she decided to come forward after learning that other teens had experienced similar abuse by the suspect.
While investigating her case, the sheriff's office found a 2019 report involving alleged abuse by Gomez-Perdomo involving a different victim. At the time, the district attorney's office declined to file charges, the sheriff's office said.
That case has been reopened in conjunction with the latest allegations. As those cases were investigated, an additional victim came forward, the sheriff's office said. She described a similar pattern of abuse that occurred in the late 1990s when she was a young child. She shared that Gomez-Perdomo met her family through church and, after becoming a trusted family friend, sexually assaulted her.
Gomez-Perdomo was involved with the Vida Abundante church in north Fort Collins and served as a youth pastor, the sheriff's office said. After the 2019 allegations were reported, he left the congregation. Prior to living in Fort Collins, he lived in Fort Morgan, Colorado, and Houston, Texas.
“Sexual assault inflicts serious physical and mental harm on victims. It can be difficult to come forward, especially if the perpetrator is in a position of trust,” Sheriff John Feyen said. “I’m grateful for the courageous young women who spoke up in this case. Their voices matter. At LCSO, we believe survivors deserve to be heard and supported."
Investigators are concerned that there may be other victims. Anyone with information about incidents involving this suspect should contact Investigator Travis Fischer at 970-498-5585. People who want to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers of Larimer County at 970-221-6868 or www.stopcriminals.org.
SUGGESTED VIDEOS: Investigations & Crime