A mistrial has been issued for a former Fowler church leader accused of child sexual assault

FOWLER, Colo. (KRDO) -- Defendant Gabriel Geringer, a 45-year-old, faced charges of sexual assault on a child, a class 4 felony, as well as a pattern of sexual assault on a child, a class 3 felony. The mistrial is a result of a witness's statements about having also been assaulted by the defendant, according to The Pueblo Chieftain.

The first trial in September 2021 ended in a hung jury when jurors could not reach a verdict after more than 10 hours of deliberation. Now, the second trial has ended in a mistrial.

According to The Pueblo Chieftain, Defendant Gabriel Geringer's defense reportedly motioned for a mistrial, arguing that the statements would unfairly prejudice a jury in favor of Geringer's accuser. Judge Deborah Eyler reportedly granted the motion.

"Mr. Geringer adamantly denies all allegations of impropriety. After the previous trial in 2021 ended with a hung jury 9 to 3 in favor of acquittal, we were looking forward to a final favorable resolution," said attorneys Bradley Smith and Michael Becker, who represented Geringer in the trial, in an emailed statement to the Chieftain. "It is unfortunate that the trial had to be stopped due to the improper action of a family member of the accuser."

Deputy District Attorney Marguerite Bischoff argued in court that even in a small town there are secrets and that Geringer abused the trust placed in him by the victim and her family to prey on a 14-year-old girl.

"She was 14 years old," said Bischoff. "She was homeschooled, the daughter of a single mother, he was in his 30s, a leader in their local church, and a farmhand at their family home,' said Bischoff.

According to The Pueblo Chieftain, Bischoff stated that due to the girl's mother's occupation as a home health specialist, she was away from home much of the time, leaving the girl unsupervised. The girl, Bischoff stated, grew "infatuated" with Geringer. Meanwhile, the defendant's mother trusted Geringer, viewing him as a father figure for her daughter.

The Pueblo Chieftain reported that Geringer met the girl at the Fowler Christian Church when she was about 9 years old, Bischoff said. While in youth group under Geringer, he allegedly made her feel "special," including allegedly buying her gifts, taking her on trips, teaching her how to drive a pickup, confiding in her about fights with his wife, having her sit on his lap to learn to drive a tractor, and finally, taking her to a certain lookout point to "teach her how to kiss." A witness also reports seeing the two of them kissing.

District Attorney Jeff Chostner stated that his office was "evaluating the viability of continuing with the case," and "will do so if legally possible."

Chostner stated, "I can't comment further as this is still an active case, and any comment would be inappropriate."

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