A Moffat County man was sentenced to 23 years in prison in Moffat County District Court. Richard Barnes pleaded guilty to felony Knowing or Reckless Child Abuse Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury and to felony Attempt to Commit Sexual Assault on a Child. According to the Colorado 14th Judicial District, the plea and sentence relates to Mr. Barnes’ admission of sexual abuse on his child. “This kind of predatory behavior against a child demands a strong reaction,” shares District Attorney Matt Karzen. “Mr. Barnes thought he could run from the law, but through the cooperation of multiple agencies he was brought to justice. While a prison sentence can never restore the victim to her former self, today’s sentence brings closure and allows her to focus on healing and moving forward while the defendant serves a lengthy sentence in the department of corrections. Special thanks to the Moffat County Sheriff’s Office, the Moffat County Attorney, Moffat County Department of Human Services and Heather Cannon, the Guardian Ad Litem, for their work on the case and their attention to the victim.”
