The head of Denver’s Toys for Tots campaign has been arrested in California on charges of sexually assaulting a child.
U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Kelly Farrington , 35, was arrested last Thursday by San Diego, Calif., police on charges of felony sexual assualt on a child, according to a warrant recently issued by the Arvada police.
“The crime allegedly occurred in 2001, but it was reported recently,” Arvada police spokeswoman Susan Medina, said tonight.
Farrington is an Ault native who joined the Marines in 1992. He served in Operation Restore Hope in Somalia and recently completed his second tour in Iraq.
In August last year he transferred to the Marine Air Control Squadron 23 at Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora and became head of Denver’s Toys for Tots drive. In that position, he directed 15 fellow Marines in the task of collecting and distributing several hundred thousand toys.
The San Diego Sheriff’s Department is holding Farrington without bail. Arvada police are seeking his return to Colorado for arraignment, Medina said.
Jason Blevins: 303-954-1374 or jblevins@denverpost.com
