A man previously charged with sexually assaulting a minor in New Mexico and who was teaching children at a Lakewood city recreational center has been charged with child molestation, officials say.
Police say 31-year-old Michael David DiPalma, who used Legos as a tool to teach science to children, was a contract employee at the center for one year and has worked at rec centers and schools across the Denver area.
DiPalma was arrested late last week for investigation of sexual assault by someone in a position of trust, false imprisonment, kidnapping and child abuse, said Steve Davis, Lakewood police spokesman.
DiPalma was released on a $50,000 bond Monday, said Jim Shires, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office spokesman.
In 2000, DiPalma was charged in New Mexico with sexual assault on a child, kidnapping, two counts of false imprisonment, and two counts of bribery or intimidation of a minor, according to the Bernalillo County District Court in Albuquerque.
He pleaded guilty to the felony false-imprisonment charge and was placed on three years probation on April 24, 2000, completing his probation in the state in 2003.
DiPalma moved to Colorado in the past year and was working for Computer Tots/Computer Explorers, a contractor from Arvada that teaches classes at the city-owned Lakewood Link Recreation Center, 1295 S. Reed St., according to Davis and DiPalma’s mother, Suzanne Love.
DiPalma used Legos to teach robotics and engineering to 32 children between the ages of 8 and 12 in three classes, said Lakewood spokeswoman Stacie Oulton.
At any one time, hundreds of children and adults are participating in educational and sports activities at the center, Davis said.
In late July, DiPalma took an 8-year-old boy outside the center and off city grounds after one of his classes and sexually assaulted him, Davis said.
The boy told his parents, who reported the incident to police, Davis said.
“We are outraged because of this situation,” Oulton said.
The city canceled the last of three courses taught by Computer Tots/Computer Explorers and has asked the company why someone with DiPalma’s background was hired, she said.
Phone messages left with officials from the company, which began the classes this year, were not returned Wednesday.
After completing probation in New Mexico, DiPalma taught at an Albuquerque charter school for troubled teens, but was fired when his record came to light, DiPalma’s mother said. She also said her son had been falsely accused in New Mexico and was incapable of harming children.
Staff writer Kirk Mitchell can be reached at 303-820-1206 or kmitchell@denverpost.com.
