1-10-2007 Colorado:
CRAIG, Colo. -- A youth minister who had worked at First Christian Church since 2000 and was arrested on allegations he sexually assaulted two girls, was found dead in his home Tuesday, authorities said.
John Graler, 53, was arrested Monday for investigation of felony charges of sexual assault, sexual assault on a child and sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust, Moffat County sheriff's investigator Sgt. K.C. Hume said.
Graler was released after posting $50,000 bail. In a statement released to the Craig Daily Press, Moffat County sheriff's officials said deputies were called to Graler's home shortly after 7 p.m.
Foul play was not suspected in Graler's death and officials declined to comment on a cause.
Investigators said they identified two alleged victims, both of whom were between 13 and 18 years old when the alleged assaults occurred.
Hume said in a statement that several people have provided information to investigators about the alleged crimes, which occurred within the past six years.. He declined to be more specific because the investigation was still under way. ..more.. by The DenverChannel.com
Youth Minister's Death Ruled Suicide
1-12-2007 Colorado:
CRAIG, Colo. -- The death of a church youth minister accused of sexually assaulting two teenagers has been ruled a suicide.
The Moffat County Sheriff's Office and Craig Police Department had been investigating the Tuesday death of John C. Graler at his home. Graler's body was found in his home the day after he was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault, sexual assault on a child, and sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust.
Investigators said that the two alleged victims were 13- and 18-year-old girls who were in a youth group that Graler led at First Christian Church in Craig. He had worked there for six years.
Graler had not been formally charged but a statement issued Thursday said, "investigators are confident that the evidence collected and information gathered during the course of the investigation would have proved to be irrefutable if the criminal case had been filed by the district attorney's office and tried in a court of law."
An autopsy revealed that Graler died from carbon monoxide poisoning, county coroner Owen Grant said.
A sheriff's investigator would not say if a note was found, but told the Craig Daily Press that aspects of the case were still under investigation.
Graler's funeral service will be held Sunday afternoon at First Christian Church where he worked. ..more.. by The Denver Channel
1 comment:
The John Graler case has the very same principle as the Gus Meins case. Meins took his own life and was accused of assaulting young children.
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