An El Paso County judge on Thursday sentenced a former Colorado public defender to 10 years to life in prison after a jury found him guilty in March of sex assault on a child involving a pattern of abuse, according to a news release.
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The former public defender, Thomas Cushing, will also serve 20 years to life on parole for the felony, should the state parole board release him at some point after he serves 10 years. He is required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
The abuse, which police said involved a 14-year-old, happened between July and November 2024.
Prosecutors pursued the case after the victim’s father “was alerted to the crimes committed” and reported the case to the Colorado Springs Police Department, according to the news release. Cushing, who was 26 at the time, then turned himself in after a judge issued a warrant for his arrest.
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“This case centered on the minor victim and the lasting impact these events have had on their life,” said Michael Allen, the district attorney for the 4th Judicial District, according to the news release. “Today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of the defendant’s heinous crimes and sends a clear message: if you commit a crime like this in our community, you will be held accountable and you should expect to be sent to prison for a very long time.”
Public defenders are lawyers appointed to represent people in court who have been accused of a crime and who cannot afford to hire their own counsel.
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