Sex offender at Colorado Springs public housing concerns residents

A Public Housing Authority in El Paso County and its management are under fire after complaints of a registered sex offender living in the complex.

Christian Garcia was convicted of internet sex exploitation of a child in 2011 and had to register as a sex offender. He was also charged with Class 4 felony sexual assault last year which is still pending trial.

Garcia is reportedly living at Hampton Village Apartments, which is mainly comprised of women and children. This violates a federal law that prohibits lifetime sex offenders from receiving Section 8 public housing.

Some residents said Garcia had been living at the public housing complex for more than a year.

“I’m really disturbed and appalled, besides the safety factor,” said Vanessa, a mother and resident at Hampton Village. “We don’t know how this happened, but I’m very concerned for the children.”

Garcia also registered a false address with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. We talked to the woman actually living at that address.

“I couldn’t believe a sex offender is living above me,” said Jamie Busch. “I hope they start paying more attention.”

The false address should have been a red flag, but the Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit didn’t find it.

“Who’s taking responsibility here?” said Vanessa. “This needs to stop.”

Property managers didn’t respond to our multiple requests for a comment. When we showed up for an interview, they locked their doors and told us to leave the property.

Housing and Urban Development’s or HUD’s regional office in Denver is now looking into the situation. There’s no state law restricting where sex offenders may live, though restrictions may be court ordered.