Ryan Carter, 29, submitted his jailhouse resignation letter on July 24, the day after charges were filed against him, said Cortez Police Lt. Andy Brock.
“It was a basic resignation letter effectively immediately,” said Brock.
Court records show Carter is now out of custody after posting a $100,000 bond on July 26. He is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing Aug. 20.
Carter was arrested under suspicion of the crimes on July 11, and placed on paid administrative leave, said Brock.
“(Carter) received eight days of pay before being formally charged on July 23,” said Brock. “He was not paid afterwards.”
Six of the charges allege the defendant was in a position of trust over the child, including two that stipulate the victim was less than 15 years old. Two others charge a pattern of abuse.
The charges are based on incidents that allegedly occurred between June 19 and July 11.
At his initial court appearance on July 14, County Court Judge JenniLynn Lawrence told Carter that if he were able to post bond, he’d have to prove he was financially eligible for a public defender. On Thursday, officials said Carter remained represented by a court-appointed attorney.
Described by prosecutors as “egregious,” The case surfaced after a 15-year-old confided to a friend that she lost her virginity to Carter. According to investigators, she said that she and Carter had unprotected, consensual sex on three separate occasions.
When interviewed by a Colorado Bureau of Investigations agent last month, Carter denied the allegations.
Court records reveal Carter previously guilty to harassment as an act of domestic violence after he shoved his ex-common law wife to the ground in 2007. The guilty plea was withdrawn, and the misdemeanor charge dismissed after a two-year deferred judgment and sentence.
Carter joined the Cortez Police Department in 2011.
tbaker@cortezjournal.com
