Daniel Quinn was sentenced today to Sexual Assault in the 3rd Degree. Mr. Quinn was a former deputy district attorney for the 8th Judicial District Attorney's Office in the 1990s. This case was handled by the Weld County District Attorney's Office and further details of the agreement are available through their office. Per the rules of special prosecutions, our office was not involved in the resolution. We have and continue to stand with the victim in this case and fully support their efforts to receive justice.

In December 2022, our office was made aware of a potential civil lawsuit regarding the sexual abuse of a minor who was interning in the office in 1999 by a former employee, Daniel Quinn. Our office immediately asked the Larimer County Attorney, who represents the District Attorney in civil matters, to investigate the claims. The County Attorney conducted a preliminary investigation and determined there was evidence of abuse. Soon after, we approved a civil settlement, including the removal of the name of the District Attorney at the time of the conduct from a conference room. There was no request for confidentiality as we believe the victim should be free to tell their story if they choose.

Our office works tirelessly to ensure justice for victims and our staff were outraged and heartbroken that a former member of the office had used their position to victimize a young member of the community. We commend the courage of this victim in coming forward to confront their abuser and seek justice.

Following the preliminary civil investigation, our office referred the matter to Fort Collins Police Services for a full criminal investigation. Given the age of the conduct, the investigation was complex. FCPS presented their case for criminal filing in October 2023 and our office filed two counts of Sexual Assault on a Child by One in a Position of Trust, class 3 felonies. Our office also filed a complaint with the Colorado Attorney Regulation Counsel as Mr. Quinn was a practicing attorney.

Mr. Quinn’s criminal defense attorney filed a motion to remove our office and appoint a special prosecutor, arguing a conflict existed due to the financial settlement and their intent to call members of our office as witnesses. Our office agreed that a special prosecution was in the best interest of the integrity of the case as we believe that the prosecution needed to remain on the defendant’s criminal conduct, not on the terms of the civil settlement.

The Weld County District Attorney’s Office and our office are special prosecution partners and routinely handle potential conflicts. The case was therefore transferred to Weld County who has handled all aspects of the case since that time.

As the conduct took place twenty-five years ago, and Mr. Quinn was terminated shortly after, no current employees were working in the District Attorney’s office during that time and our current administration first learned of the conduct through the civil action in 2022. However, the conduct remains deeply horrifying to this office’s public servants who have dedicated their professional lives to protecting and restoring victims.

All staff of the District Attorney’s Office are held to a high standard of conduct, and all its current employees understand their duty to report any instances of workplace misconduct. We find the lack of action by some members of the office in 2000 reprehensible. We fully stand with and believe the victim in this case.