At-Risk Adults Involved In Ex-Sheriff Scandal

Sullivan Hit With 4 Charges, Including Prostitution


 At-Risk Adults Involved In Ex-Sheriff Scandal

Posted by Kim Nguyen, Web Editor

POSTED: 12:17 pm MST December 2, 2011

UPDATED: 7:00 pm MST December 2, 2011

DENVER -- The ex-sheriff in the middle of a sex-for-meth scandal was charged Friday with three felonies and a misdemeanor.

Former Arapahoe County Sheriff Patrick Sullivan has been charged with distribution of a controlled substance, attempt to influence a public servant, possession of methamphetamine, and prostitution.

Sources familiar with the case say that the ex-sheriff may also later be charged with assaulting and taking advantage of an at-risk adult. An at-risk adult is defined as anyone elderly or anyone who is physically or mentally disabled.

Records show Sullivan had lived with a 34-year-old man for whom he had power of attorney, William Hadley. Sullivan had access to Hadley's Social Security checks, which Hadley received for a disability.

Once Hadley moved to another home, sources said Sullivan often visited him and others, bringing Hadley food.

Dillon Grilley, who lived with Hadley, called police on Sept. 20 to report that Sullivan was coming to the house regularly with drugs and trying to lure his roommates, who are recovering addicts, back into drugs.

"He had power of attorney for one of them and he was talking about (being) a guardian for all of them, which was a scary thought," Grilley said.

The owner of that Centennial home where Hadley lived told 7NEWS that Sullivan would often go into the bedroom with Hadley and other men and that afterward there was evidence of meth use.

"From what I understood, (Sullivan) had a sexual relationship with them, and he would use meth to get sex from young men," Derek Hendrickson said.

Sullivan, who is married, was arrested Tuesday at an Aurora home after an undercover sting. Officers said they caught Sullivan on hidden camera offering two informants meth for sex.

Sources familiar with the investigation say that there may be more than one at-risk adult involved and that could produce multiple felony counts. That's one of the reasons why Sullivan's bond was doubled from $250,000 to $500,000 earlier this week.

The most serious charge against Sullivan, distribution of a drug, is a class 3 felony which can bring 4-12 years in prison.

Sources Say Sullivan Tried To Use His Power

The attempt to influence a a public servant charge stems from that encounter on Sept. 20 when Grilley called police on Sullivan, saying that the "old man" was getting his roommates back into drugs.

Sullivan was questioned about the incident that night and he allegedly told a deputy he was part of a drug treatment program with the state health department.

A spokesman for the health department said that's not true and Sullivan was not a part of their program.

Sullivan also tried to take his advantage of his position as the former longtime sheriff, according to sources.

Earlier this year, Sullivan tried to gain access to the Arapahoe County Sheriff's criminal database through a current department employee.

The employee refused to give him access and reported the incident.

After that, Sullivan's access to the building was cut.

Although 7NEWS does not know what Sullivan was looking for, sources told 7NEWS the information Sullivan was trying to access is unrelated to issues involving the current case.

Sources also said prior to his access being cut, Sullivan tried to sit in on confidential meetings at the department and had been asked to leave on more than one occasion.

The investigation is ongoing. There is an 11-member task force working on the case.

The 18-year law enforcement veteran remains in the Patrick J. Sullivan Jr. Detention Center, which was named in his honor in 2002
 
Please read complete article at link below:
 
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/29909003/detail.html

Editor's note: This Shark can list many instances where the Probate Court of Cook County has taken advantage of  "At-risk Adults". Lucius Verenus, Schoolmaster,  ProbateSharks.com

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