Flashing Suspect Caught In West Colorado Springs
Augustine Archuleta, 30, of Colorado Springs, already was serving probation for a sexual offense and had been charged with indecent exposure two weeks ago when he was arrested again Wednesday. A parent of one of the victims demands to know why he’s allowed release from jail.
“This guy’s on bond, and it’s not his first offense,” said Shawna Simkins. “He hasn’t even gone to court for the last offense, and he’s doing it again. Did the justice system fail the citizens of Colorado Springs? Maybe.”
Simkins said her daughter, Christina Gill, 23, was working at the 7-Eleven store at 15th Street and West Colorado Avenue on Aug. 8 when Archuleta entered and acted suspiciously.
“The guy started eyeing her and sticking his tongue out at her,” said Simkins. “He purchased a bottle of water and then pulled his pants down, exposed himself and played with himself.”
Simkins said a customer helped police capture Archuleta an hour later, and Gill identified him as the suspect.
Police arrested Archuleta again on Wednesday morning on a second charge of indecent exposure. A woman said he confronted her, made lewd comments and exposed himself near 30th Street and West Colorado Avenue. Police said they found Archuleta six blocks away and caught him as he tried to run away. He first refused to identify himself and then lied about his name, police said.
Archuleta appeared before a judge Wednesday at the jail to be advised of the charges against him, which include obstructing a police officer, criminal impersonation and two counts of indecent exposure. The judge set bond at $1,000 and told Archuleta to be in court next Wednesday.
The low bond troubles Simkins because she said it makes getting out of jail easier for Archuleta, and that a man with three sexual offense cases on his record should remain behind bars longer.
Archuleta already is on probation for a conviction of sexual contact with no consent. He was charged with the crime in February and pleaded guilty to the charge last week.
“How do we know that his exposing himself isn’t going to progress?” Simkins said. “What if it does and some young kid is hurt? Why is he allowed to be out?”
Police said because indecent exposure is a misdemeanor, authorities are limited in their ability to keep Archuleta in jail during the legal process.
“Sometimes you can get a higher bond,” said police Sgt. Darrin Abbink. “That’s up to the court. The police don’t have any control over that. You’re guaranteed the right to bond. Misdemeanors bond out very easily. Most times we don’t even take them to jail. They get a summons and are released.”
Court records show that Archuleta’s arrest history dates to 1999 and includes charges of underage drinking, trespassing, assault, burglary and illegal drugs. Prosecutors dropped an April 2005 kidnapping charge; instead, he pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and received a two-year prison sentence.
