Article
Katharhynn Heidelberg
Daily Press News Editor
NUCLA — Members of this small West End community reacted with disbelief to news their former fire chief had been arrested on sexual assault allegations.
Alan Files, 45, was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust and aggravated incest Wednesday, after an investigation by the Montrose County Sheriff’s Office.
Files appeared in court Thursday, where his bond was elevated from $15,000 to $100,000. The allegations are class-3 felonies that could potentially lead to life imprisonment upon conviction. Formal charges have not yet been filed.
“I don’t believe it at all,” Nucla Fire Chief Mike Zunich said in a telephone interview. “You couldn’t ask for a better person.”
Zunich was unaware of Files’ arrest before the Daily Press contacted him.
“I’m just numb,” Nucla Mayor Roxy Allex said, mentioning other difficulties Files’ family was facing. “That’s a lot to be piled on a family.”
Few details about the alleged assault have been made public. In court Thursday, Deputy District Attorney Wiley Christopher said the arrest bond of $15,000 was too low. He sought for bail above the $60,000 typically set in these types of cases.
“The information we have indicates the abuse took place for nine years,” Christopher said. “She (alleged victim) was so traumatized she would have fits of vomiting when she had to be around the defendant.”
Christopher alleged full sexual penetration was involved and said Files posed a risk to public safety.
Files, who was not yet represented by an attorney, asked for a personal recognizance bond, saying he needed to continue working in order to support his family. “I am not going to leave the area. I do not feel I am a risk,” he said, telling County Judge John Mitchel that he was Nucla’s former fire chief and a member of Nucla’s emergency medical services personnel.
Mitchel agreed with the prosecutor, though, and set bond at $100,000
Earlier in the hearing, Mitchel explained to Files the allegations against him were extraordinary risk crimes. Conviction can bring a four- to six-year prison term and it’s also possible an offender can be confined for his or her natural life. If parole is granted, it can be of lifetime duration.
Zunich told the Daily Press Files was an outstanding firefighter, who had obtained $500,000 in grants for fire trucks in Nucla.
“He’s a great, great person,” Zunich said. “I don’t believe it. That’s terrible. He’s a super good person. There’s nothing I ask him to do that he can’t do.”
Allex asked people to reserve judgment. “Until we hear the facts, it’s not uncommon for charges to be filed over here. Right now, my concern’s for the family. They have a lot on their plate right now. Either way, I want to withhold judgment until I hear something a little more concrete. I want to encourage everyone to wait until we have more facts.”
The DA’s office is to file charges against Files by 4 p.m. Dec. 27. If the case stays in Montrose, he will appear in court again Jan. 4; if it is moved to Nucla, he will appear Jan. 2.
December 28, 2006 at 2:51 am
When,” no one can believe it…they are such nice people…such hard workers…” I call it,” the black-velvet family.” In other words; the perpetrator appears educated, off to the symphony or ballet, well employed, family oriented, community dedicated, volunteer & civic leaders, always kind and good with children, great parents, etc. & so-forth.
They appear as if they could be wearing tux+tails or black velvet to the event…but truly, the are felon criminals who molest children.
It is not what the community thinks that matters, it is what that individual chose to do…”black-velvet, evil & smooth.”
December 29, 2006 at 3:20 am
The news is sad indeed. We are all shocked, being a small town it makes it especially difficult. The Mayor is a survivor herself, as am I. The innocence of a child is a precious gift, and it saddens me how often they have that gift taken from them without a second thought.
Another local woman has written a book on the subject, and I hope you don’t mind sharing it with readers.
TEETER TOTTER~Ruby Sampson~An abused child’s diary
http://www.ebookmall.com/ebook/139121-ebook.htm
November 4, 2007 at 9:30 pm
Alan Files has been doing weird, inappropriate, and criminal sexual behavior for many, many years to many different girls and women in the Nucla area, and probably elsewhere. I have let the police know of my personal knowledge of this.
And now we see he plea bargained and will only get six years for raping his daughter.? It’s a disgrace, and sick what he did to her for years. The only good thing about the plea bargain deal, is it saves his daughter from the trauma of a trial and having to see Alan’s sick watery-blue eyes looking at her again and remembering…
My prayers are with the young victim in this case and her mother. God be with you both.
October 14, 2008 at 6:45 pm
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