El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Investigates Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Assault of a Child

On July 25, 2025, a representative from the Department of Human Services contacted detectives with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division regarding a report of sexual assault on a child.

Detectives from the Special Victims Unit launched an investigation into 63-year-old Richard Vasquez. The allegations involve incidents that occurred in the 7000 block of Notre Way in unincorporated El Paso County.

During the investigation, detectives determined Vasquez had access to other children in the Pikes Peak region and believe additional victims may exist. Although the investigation originates in El Paso County, Colorado, Vasquez also has known ties to Tularosa, New Mexico.

On October 23, 2025, Vasquez was taken into custody and booked into the El Paso County Jail on the following charges:

• Sexual Exploitation of a Child
• Sexual Assault of a Child
• Unlawful Sexual Contact
• Sexual Assault on a Child by One in a Position of Trust

Vasquez is being held without bond.

Anyone who believes they or someone they know may have been victimized by Vasquez is urged to contact the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line at 719-520-7777.

The investigation remains active, and additional information will be released when available.

Recent News Articles

El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Regional Training Academy Graduates Class 26-1

Today, El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal administered the Oath of Office to 33 newly certified Class I Colorado Peace Officers during the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Regional Training Academy Class 26-1 Graduation Ceremony at New Life Church in Colorado Springs. The graduates completed an intensive 20-week academy designed to prepare recruits for the challenges and responsibilities of modern

Read More »

Missing At-Risk Adult Investigation Leads to Kidnapping and Sexual Assault Charges

On September 24th, 2025, the El Paso County Regional Communications Center received a report of a missing at-risk adult. The reporting party said the missing individual was last seen around 1:30 PM near their residence. The reporting party raised concerns for their well-being. Using a phone-tracking app, the reporting party believed the missing individual was at a residence in the

Read More »

Convicted Child Sex Offender Sentenced to Prison Following Years-Long Abuse Investigation

In January 2025, detectives with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division arrested 42-year-old Steven Leckenby following an exhaustive investigation into allegations of a pattern of sexual assaults on children. Leckenby faced multiple charges, including sexual assault on a child and aggravated incest, with allegations spanning more than a decade and involving multiple victims. Some of the reported offenses

Read More »

El Paso County Sheriff Encourages Public Review and Feedback on Colorado Specified Semiautomatic Firearms Guidance

On May 15, 2026, the Colorado Department of Revenue (DOR) published official guidance related to Senate Bill 25-003 (SB25-003), identifying specific firearms that fall under the state’s new “Specified Semiautomatic Firearms” (SSF) category. The draft guidance document spans 152 pages and organizes firearms into three categories: Semiautomatic rifles with detachable magazines Semiautomatic shotguns with detachable magazines Gas-operated semiautomatic pistols with

Read More »

Contact Information

Phone
(719) 520-7100

Address
El Paso County Sheriff’s Office
27 East Vermijo Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Office hours
8:00 am – 4:30 pm