An Adams County jury has acquitted an airline pilot of illegally posting onto the internet nude photos of an ex-girlfriend — a three-time Paralympian who sued him for damages for the alleged conduct.
Along with the misdemeanor criminal charge for posting the image for harassment purposes, which is also known as revenge porn, the jury also acquitted Byron Rodenburg of a stalking charge, a felony.
Rodenburg is accused in a civil suit filed in Denver District Court of circulating nude photos the woman says she shared with him during their relationship. The unidentified 39-year-old woman’s lawsuit against Rodenburg, 41, doesn’t use a new state law that offers guaranteed penalties of at least $10,000. Instead, the case relies on laws aimed at defamation and invasion of privacy.
The civil case is ongoing. It is unclear how Tuesday’s jury verdict will impact the case.
The woman’s lawyer did not immediately return messages seeking comment, nor did Rodenburg’s attorney on the criminal matter.
The Denver Post in September revealed how infrequently criminal charges for revenge porn end up in a conviction or guilty plea. The Adams County district attorney’s office ranked third for the number of revenge porn cases it has filed.
