Over the past 2 weeks the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office has received two separate calls of attempted sexual assault at the Monarch Ski area. In both cases the suspect rode the lift with the victims then followed them down the ski run to a point where he then forced them into the trees and tried to sexually assault them. In the second incident the suspect pulled a handgun and fired the weapon in an attempt to coerce the victim to cooperate. In both instances the victims were able to escape and each time the suspect fled the scene.

In both cases the victims were teenage females preparing to get on the ski lift alone.

The suspect is believed to be a teenage Caucasian male, approximately 5’8” to 6’1”, weighing approximately 140 pounds. He is believed to have red hair and potentially freckles on his face.

The Monarch Ski Area and its management are cooperating fully with the Chaffee County Sheriff’s in the investigation of these incidents.

The Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in identifying his suspect. If anyone has information in regards to these incidents they are asked to contact either Sergeant Andy Rohrich at 719-207-0056, or Detective Claudette Hysjulien at 719-239-1600.

For any further information please contact Undersheriff John Spezze at 719-207-3199.