Woodland Park Sonic General Manager fired following allegations of sexually assaulting employee

WOODLAND PARK, Colo. (KRDO) -- Court documents detail allegations against the former General Manager of a Sonic Drive-In facing charges for the sexual assault of a minor who worked for him.

The arrest affidavit for 30-year-old Johnathan Burress alleges that he would bring an underage employee into work hours before the restaurant opened. He would allegedly turn off the lights, lock the doors, and assault the employee.

Woodland Park police believe Burress groomed the employee for weeks before assaulting them in late April of 2022. Police also believe Burress assaulted the minor several times before the allegations were brought to police on Friday. Officers arrested Burress less than 24 hours later.

"I had folks here on a weekend on a Saturday, finishing this case to make sure we got this thing resolved as quickly as possible," Woodland Park Police Chief Chris Deisler said. "To get somebody off of the streets that's even involved in allegations like this is of critical importance."

Burress is charged with three felony counts of sexual assault on a minor and one misdemeanor count unlawful sexual contact with a minor.

A spokesperson from Sonic issued the following statement to KRDO:

We take these matters very seriously. Once we were made aware of the allegations, we began an immediate investigation and are cooperating fully with local authorities. The individual is no longer employed at Sonic, and we defer any further comment to the Woodland Park Police Department.

Sonic Drive-In Spokesperson

Burress is being held in the Teller County Jail on a $20,000 bond.

KRDO reached out to Burress's representation at the Office of the Colorado State Public Defender but has not heard back.