Dad pleads guilty to sexually assaulting two sons (Briggsdale, Colorado)

Dad VANCE WILLIAM BAXTER has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for assaulting and sexually abusing his two son.

How the hell did this monster end up with 18 children, only 10 of which were his "natural" children? There is a lot of back story that is not being shared here, that's for sure.

And I get the distinct impression that there was no mother in this home, either....

INVISIBLE MOTHER ALERT.

http://www.greeleytribune.com/article/20110314/NEWS/703149995/1005&parentprofile=1005

Briggsdale dad sentenced to 20 years for sexual assaults

By Sharon Dunn
March, 15 2011 12:40 am
The Greeley Publishing Co.

A Briggsdale father who pleaded guilty to abusing and sexually assaulting two of his sons and another family member since 1996 was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Monday.

Vance William Baxter, 44, will no longer pose a danger to society or young boys, said Weld District Court Judge Thomas Quammen, in sentencing him. Quammen told Baxter he took advantage of children in a way few could understand, abusing his role to protect and care for them.

“At least for a substantial period of time, you’ll be in custody and won’t pose a risk to young males for that period of time,” Quammen said. “After you have finished that sentence, we’ll see how sincere you are at dealing with this situation, and how amenable you are to treatment, and how treatable you are. In the meantime, society is going to be a little safer with you not among this culture that contains young boys.”

Two of Baxter’s sons, who are now out of the home, came forward last year with the accusations so their brothers wouldn’t be subjected to the abuse, said Deputy District Attorney Hollie Wilkinson, who read a letter to the judge from one of the victims. None of the victims wanted to attend the hearing. Baxter had 18 children, 10 of whom were his natural children.

“My childhood memories should have been filled with happy times,” the victim wrote. “You hurt me deeper than you will ever know. Every night or morning you came to my room was just torture, knowing I’d be subjected to being molested again and again, it was almost too much to bear. … I hope that you spend every last second of time in jail. I will make sure and my family will make sure you will not get out early.”

Baxter agreed to the deal that Wilkinson offered — tendered because one victim was deployed overseas and would be unable to come back in time for a trial. Defendants are granted the right to have a speedy trial within six months of entering a not-guilty plea.

The agreement dropped four felonies and one misdemeanor charge in exchange for a guilty plea to felony child abuse and sexual assault. The deal called for 20 years in prison for the child abuse charge, which he could end up serving less given opportunities to earn good time while incarcerated, and the following 10 years to life on sex offender intensive supervised probation for the sexual assault plea. He also will be on parole during the first five years of his probation.

Had he been convicted as charged, he would have faced an indeterminate sentence to prison, meaning he might never get out.

Wilkinson said the abuse started in 1996, when Baxter assaulted his 17-year-old family member, who feared coming forward for years. She said it was one incident of fondling that manifested into the assaults on his children through the years.

According to Weld County Sheriff’s Department reports, Baxter would enter the boys’ rooms at night after the rest of the household was asleep and force sexual encounters. If the boys refused, the reports state, Baxter would give the boys extra chores the next day. The boys said they would often hear Baxter assaulting the others, as they shared rooms.

The victims said the molestations happened from sometimes every night to two to three times a week.

“He actively seeks youth to groom them,” Wilkinson said. “His primary sexual interests are with juvenile males, followed by adult males. He has very little understanding of the magnitude of harm he’s created. It does appear he is remorseful … but is that because he sits before this court today?”

During evaluations in the case, Baxter apparently revealed a fourth victim, who himself is a registered sex-offender. Wilkinson said that is indicative of the cycle of violence, in which those who have been sexually abused sometimes continue the pattern and abuse others.

Defense attorney Andy Gavaldon said all of Baxter’s testing revealed he would do well in a treatment program. He said Baxter wouldn’t have revealed that fourth victim had he been insincere.

“It’s clear he’s making no excuses, he’s showing responsibility for what happened, that he caused a lot of damage, and he knows there’s a price to be paid,” Gavaldon said.

Baxter must register as a sex offender for the rest of his life, but he does not meet the statutory definition of a sexually violent predator.

While some of his family members looked on Monday, Baxter apologized for his actions.

“From the outset when this first came to light, I visited with (one of the victims) on the phone. The sheriff had him call me. At that time, I said what I’ll say now, ‘I’m sorry. I want you to get treatment, I want to get treatment.’ I hope he does heal … I know that God is in control of all, and he has the power to heal everyone.”