Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Aggravated Sexual Assault in Colorado
DURANGO, COLORADO – Merle Denezpi, 39, of Shiprock, New Mexico, has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for committing aggravated sexual assault in Towaoc, Colorado.
According to court documents, Denezpi used physical force and death threats to sexually assault the victim, who was left with significant bruising and injuries. A DNA test conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigations revealed Denezpi’s DNA was present on the victim.
Denezpi fled from the scene by jumping out a second-story window when he saw police approaching the residence. He then hid underneath a bush for 13 hours before being apprehended.
At trial and at sentencing, Denezpi admitted to lying to federal agents when questioned. A Sexual Assault Nurse Exam (SANE) was conducted, which showed the extent of the victim’s injuries.
“Our office is committed to vigorously prosecuting crimes committed on the Ute Mountain Ute Indian Reservation,” said U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn. “Mr. Denezpi wrongly believed that he could commit a violent assault, silence the victim with threats, and lie his way out of accountability. Thanks to the work of our prosecutors and law enforcement partners, he was proven wrong.”
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, with the assistance of their Victim Witness Specialist. The defendant was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeff Graves and Tim Neff.
The judge presiding over the case was U.S. District Court Judge Robert E. Blackburn, who sentenced Denezpi to 360 months (30 years) in federal prison, followed by 10 years on supervised release.
The crime occurred on an unspecified date, but Denezpi was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 7, 2018, for one count of Aggravated Sexual Assault within the exterior boundaries of the Ute Mountain Ute Indian Reservation, near Towaoc, Colorado. A federal jury found Denezpi guilty of the crime following a week-long trial on March 1, 2019.
Mandatory facts include:
- Defendant: Merle Denezpi
- Criminal charges: Aggravated Sexual Assault
- City and state: Towaoc, Colorado
- Exacting date: March 1, 2019 (sentencing)
- Sentence: 360 months (30 years) in federal prison, followed by 10 years on supervised release
Key Facts
- State: Colorado
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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