Crime & Safety

Shambhala Teacher Faces Accusations of Sexual Assault On A Child

The suspect has been arrested; police believe there may be more victims.

BOULDER, CO -- Boulder police have arrested a teacher and leader of meditation retreats at Boulder's Shambhala on charges of sexual assault of a child by a person in a position of trust, according to a release from the Boulder Police Department. Police believe that William Lloyd Karelis, 71, assaulted the victim multiple times over 13 years, beginning in 2000 when she was 13 years old. Karelis was introduced to the victim through his position at Shambhala, according to the release.

Boulder police believe that over a span of 30 years there may have been additional victims. Anyone who believes they or someone they know was victimized by Karelisis asked to call Boulder Police Detective Ross Richart at 303-441-1833 or Detective Heather Frey at 303-441-3369.

There is no statute of limitations on sex offenses involving children under the age of fifteen.

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