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 2700 block of Robinson Street, a trailer park in unincorporated El Paso County.
Manitou Springs Police Officers conducted a neighborhood canvass, and a neighbor reported a belief the individual was inside a particular trailer.
Officers knocked on the door, and a 69-year-old adult male identified as Eugene Romero refused to open it but spoke with Officers through a bedroom window.
During questioning, Romero admitted another person was inside.
Officers visually located and positively identified the missing individual inside the trailer and asked them to come outside.
Romero denied any wrongdoing and said he would “never risk his freedom.”
The victim, who has an intellectual disability, could not articulate details of events but displayed signs of sexual assault and was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Due to the nature of the investigation, the Manitou Springs Police Department requested assistance, and Detectives with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office began work on the case.
On September 30th, 2025, Detectives secured search warrants for Romero’s residence and for his body to collect DNA swabs.
The DNA swabs and other evidence were sent for testing.
Additionally, Detectives conducted interviews with the victim, who provided details which indicated sexual assault and kidnapping.
On May 14, 2026, Detectives received DNA results from swabs collected from the victim and suspect, confirming a match to other evidence collected in this case.
On May 22, 2026, El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Patrol deputies arrested Eugene Romero at his residence. He was booked into the El Paso County Jail on the following charges:
-Second Degree Kidnapping
-Crimes Against At-Risk Persons
-Sexual Assault
-Unlawful Sexual Contact
-False Imprisonment
El Paso County Sheriff Roybal stated, “If you bring harm to the innocent and vulnerable, you will lose your freedom in El Paso County. Anyone who preys on members of our community, especially individuals placed at greater risk, should expect relentless pursuit by law enforcement and full accountability through our criminal justice system. We stand with victims, we protect our community, and we will not stop until offenders face consequences.”
Romero is being held on a $75,000 bond.