A Lakewood minister has been charged with four felonies of sexually assaulting two children who were under his wife’s care more than 10 years ago.
Stephen J. Hesse, 51, was charged last month with two counts of sexual assault on a child by a person in position of trust with a victim under 15, and two counts of sexual assault on a child in a pattern of conduct, according to the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office.
Investigators suspect Hesse of assaulting a brother and sister between 1992 and 1994, when the boy was between the ages of 6 and 8 and the girl between the ages of 3 and 5.
The two alleged victims came forward in March of 2006, when the boy was 19 and the girl 16, according to the district attorney’s office.
Hesse, who has a preliminary hearing set for Tuesday, could not be reached for comment.
A person who answered the phone at a church where Hesse currently serves declined comment.
Hesse has denied the allegations, according to an arrest affidavit written by a Lakewood police agent.
Investigators took a computer as evidence from the Hesse home, but it contained no child pornography, according to court documents.
“Numerous” pictures of teen girls “that were sexually themed” were found on the computer, the affidavit said.
The girl told police that Hesse had threatened to kill her if she told anyone about the alleged assaults.
Police believe there may be additional victims. Anyone with information can call Lakewood investigators at 303 987-1111.
