A man identified by authorities as a former pilot for the Heritage Christian Center is being sought on allegations he repeatedly sexually assaulted two brothers over a period of years.
Jefferson County officials said Wednesday that after a search last week of the Jefferson County home of James Craig Bird, 62, they have reason to believe there may be additional victims.
According to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, there is an active warrant for Bird on multiple counts of sexual assault on a child and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. He is believed to be overseas.
Jacki Kelley, Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman, said the allegations are that Bird had sexual contact with juveniles and provided drugs and alcohol to his alleged victims.
Investigators allege that Bird first met his victims at the Heritage Christian Center.
According to court documents, a woman and her three sons attended the church and met Bird there in 2004. At the time, Bird was the church’s pilot, the family told investigators.
A person answering the phone at the Heritage Christian Center on Wednesday said the church has not had a plane for a number of years and that Bird is not a current member of the staff.
Over a period of time, Bird — known to the family as Craig Bird — provided care and financial support for the three boys.
During the course of the friendship, Bird began spending a great deal of time with the boys, who were 14 to 17 years old, according to Kelley. The mother eventually allowed the boys to spend some nights and weekends at Bird’s houses in Aurora and Jefferson County.
According to an arrest-warrant affidavit for Bird, one of the boys said he was sexually assaulted by Bird at least 100 times in the past three years.
The teenager said he had lived with Bird during that time and did not pay rent. He told investigators that Bird bought him anything he wanted, took him on trips, paid for his schooling and bought him a Toyota Camry.
The teenager said Bird also physically assaulted him many times by slapping and punching him and once held a knife to his throat during an argument.
The alleged victim said that after each argument, Bird would apologize and then sexually assault him.
Anyone with information regarding Bird is asked to contact investigator Matt Clark at 303-271-5640.
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com
