JeffCo Caregiver Charged With Sex Abuse Of At-Risk Boys

LAKEWOOD, CO – A man who formerly worked for a Lakewood group home for at-risk boys has been charged with sex assault of at least two minors, the Jefferson County District Attorney's Office said.

Wayne William Sexton, 55, is currently in custody of Jefferson County jail, charged with multiple counts of sexual assault on a child under age 15 by an adult in a position of trust.

Sexton was employed by Savio House, a Jefferson County non-profit paid more than $13 million by various government and charity agencies, including Jefferson County Human Services, to house and mentor underage at-risk youth, KDVR Fox31 first reported.

Sexton who worked as a foster parent and caregiver, allegedly lured youths in his care with gifts, cigarettes, marijuana, meth and pornography, arrest affidavits show. Sexton allegedly had unlawful sexual contact with the boys in his office and in the boys' rooms.

One boy, who had acted out after being sexually abused as a younger child, ended up in the Bridgeway group home at 9820 W. 21st Avenue. He told Lakewood police Sexton sexually abused him beginning when he was 15 years old between March 2015 and January of 2016. Sexton allegedly groomed the boy, who told police he began to see Sexton as a father figure and for example, asked Sexton to teach him to shave. He allegedly lured the boy into his office to smoke marijuana and gave the boy sex toys, the affidavit said.

After allegedly sexually abusing him, Sexton reportedly told the boy "that no one would believe him if he came forward," according to the affidavit.

Another boy said Sexton was in the process of becoming his legal guardian when he allegedly started to have sexual contact with the boy, who was 16, in Lakewood and then at another group home in Parker.

Fox31 reported that Sexton was "quietly fired" by Savio House after his arrest in August.

He remains in the JeffCo jail on $10,000 bond. Sexton is scheduled to appear in Jefferson County District Court on Oct. 30 for a preliminary hearing.

Read the Fox31 investigation here.

Image via JeffCo Sheriff

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