Decorated Army officer faces child sex charges

A commissioned Army officer at Colorado’s Fort Carson faces 23 charges involving sex crimes against young girls that could put him in prison for more than 100 years.

1st Lt. Aaron G. Lucas is accused of crimes in 14 incidents that date back to 2010.

Lucas has not entered a plea and his lawyer did not return phone calls seeking comment.

With the help of Army officials, Lucas was arrested at Fort Carson on Oct. 23. He is an Afghanistan veteran who was awarded the Bronze Star.

Court records show Lucas is free on $730,000 bond. An Army spokesman said he is back on duty at Fort Carson and that officials are taking legal and prudent measures to ensure public safety. The spokesman did not elaborate.