(September 30) Detectives began investigating a case involving Leopoldo Zapata-Valdenegro (08/04/1958) on September 23, 2021, when a young girl reported a sexual assault to a trusted adult. During their lengthy and thorough investigation, Aurora Police Crimes Against Children Detectives identified multiple children who were victims of Mr. Zapata-Valdenegro.
Detectives obtained an arrest warrant on September 19, 2022 and on September 21, 2022, Mr. Zapata-Valdenegro was arrested on suspicion of multiple counts of sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust, with a pattern of abuse. Those charges were filed into the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office in Adams County, Colorado, where this case will be prosecuted. Any additional information about this case will come from their office. A booking photo of Mr. Zapata-Valdenegro is provided below.
Detectives believe there may be more children who were victimized by Mr. Zapata Valdenegro, possibly going back ten years or more. Anyone with information about the above incident, or if you are wishing to report an incident involving Mr. Zapata Valdenegro, you are urged to call the police agency where the incident is believed to have occurred.
Information and/or tips can also be provided anonymously to Metro Denver Crime Stoppers by calling 720-913-STOP (7867) or by reporting them online at https://www.metrodenvercrimestoppers.com/.
Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Public Affairs Unit
720.432.5095
|