FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date:  August 9, 2022                                     

Contact: Christine Duplan, Public Information Officer

(970) 423-8901

Christine.Duplan@summitcountyco.gov

SUMMIT COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE ARRESTS LOCAL TEACHER FOR CHILD SEX ASSAULT 

SUMMIT COUNTY, CO – A Summit Middle School (SMS) physical education teacher has been arrested on multiple counts of sexual assault on a child, including three counts of sex assault on a child by a person in a position of trust.

On October 27, 2021, the Summit County Sheriff’s Office received information from the Summit School District, of allegations of sexual misconduct by a teacher involving female students. The teacher was identified by school district officials as Leonard Alan Grams (DOB 11/11/60), a Physical Education and Project Initiative teacher. Upon receipt and review of the information, the Summit County Sheriff’s Office immediately began a criminal investigation.

The initial investigation, conducted by school district officials, alleged that from September 30th, 2021 through October 24th, 2021, school district officials received seven reports of alleged sexual misconduct by Grams. The allegations made by female SMS students, asserted that Mr. Grams had inappropriately engaged in unlawful sexual contact with the victims during class activities. 

During the subsequent Sheriff’s Office investigation, search warrants were served on the school district uncovering and securing hundreds of pages of documents and interviews acquired from the initial investigation conducted by school district officials. In addition, Detectives conducted further interviews with the victims, parents of the victims, possible witnesses, school district officials, Leonard Grams, and others related to this investigation. 

Following an in-depth and comprehensive investigation, an arrest warrant was issued for Leonard Grams that included five counts of Sex Assault on a Child, a Class 4 Felony and three counts of Sex Assault on a Child-by a person in a Position of Trust, a Class 3 Felony. On August 9, 2022, Grams surrendered himself to Detectives at the Summit County Sheriff’s Office Detention Facility and was taken into custody without incident. 

“This case is heartbreaking. I am humbled by the bravery of these young victims to come forward. I am also proud of the Detectives investigating this case. The quality of their work, coupled with their compassion and empathy not just for the victims, but also their families, exemplifies the mission statement of the Summit County Sherriff’s Office. This combined determination by both the victims and the Detectives sends a clear message to predators, and more importantly to the community, that this type of behavior will not be tolerated,” said Sheriff Jaime FitzSimons.

The Summit County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone who might have information on this case or believes they may have been a victim of Grams to please call, Detective Sergeant Mark Gafari at 970-423-8960.

This remains an on-going investigation and no further details will be released at this time.

###