A former TSA agent at Denver International Airport (DIA) pleaded guilty to two counts for sexually assaulting three girls in Winter Park, according to the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
Matthew Paul Barnett, 33, pleaded guilty to attempted sexual assault on a child and first degree assault on Feb. 24 through a plea agreement.
Barnett was originally arrested by Fraser Winter Park Police after the department received information from the Littleton Police Department of a possible child sexual assault that had occurred March 26 in Winter Park, according to an affidavit in support of warrantless arrest filed with Grand County District Court.
Littleton police told an officer that a man currently in Winter Park, identified as Barnett, had been found in bed with three young girls, ages 6 and 7, and reportedly engaged in criminal sexual conduct, according to the affidavit.
Barnett was reportedly visiting Grand County and staying at the Winter Park Mountain Lodge, according to the affidavit.
Fraser-Winter Park Police Officer Malchow also found that Barnett was the boyfriend of the girls’ mother. Malchow spoke with the mother who said her daughters, when asked about the incident, disclosed Barnett had been sexually assaulting them for a certain period of time.
The investigation revealed some of the alleged assaults, according to the affidavit, had occurred at the victims’ home in Adams County.
Barnett was arrested by Thornton Police in April at DIA. He was charged with 12 felony counts, including sexual assault on a child, sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust and sexual assault on a child as a pattern of abuse.
Ultimately, both the Grand and Adams County charges were prosecuted by the 17th Judicial District.
Barnett will be sentenced at 1:30 p.m. May 1 at the Adams County District Court. His plea agreement stipulates 18 to 32 years in prison.
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