Trial Dates Set For Joshua Winters Of Colorado In Child Kidnapping And Sex Crime Case
A Colorado man and former carnival worker accused of taking a young boy from a bowling alley and having sexual contact with him will have his day in court.
A four-day trial starting on May 15th has been set for Joshua Winters, who has pleaded not guilty to one count of kidnapping, one count of first degree sexual abuse of a minor, and one count of second degree sexual abuse of a minor.
He originally pleaded not guilty by reason of mental illnesses, but withdrew that plea.
Investigators with the Casper Police Department say while at the El Marko Lanes Bowling Alley in middle July 2016, Winters approached a group of juveniles playing video games, gave them some money and later joined in.
A friend of the young male victim said Winters wanted the boys to help him find his missing money and not tell their mother.
Other friends went home, and the victim said Winters took him to the river, got undressed, went into the water and pulled the victim in, submerging him.
Afterwards Winters put the victim on the riverbank, removed his clothing and had sexual contact.
The victim was found a short time later by a person who took him to the Mills Police Department.
The person who found the victim said that the victim had a lot of sand on him and the victim said if he screamed or told anyone what had happened, Winters would kill him.
When interviewed, Winters allegedly said he was pursuing a thief who had taken his backpack, and the thief had fallen into the river, so he saved him.
Winters reportedly said he passed out a short time later.
When asked about the victim's claims about what had happened, Winters said he didn't care.
Earlier on the day of the incident, he had quit his job as a carnival worker for the company that was at the Central Wyoming Fair and Rodeo.
Winters is being held on $250,000 bond awaiting trial.
He could face 20 years to life in prison on the kidnapping charge, 25-50 years in prison on the first degree sexual abuse of a minor charge and up to 20 years in prison on the second degree sexual abuse of a minor charge if convicted.
The carnival company that he was working for operates independently.
Company employees are not actual employees of the Central Wyoming Fairgrounds or the fair itself.