Loveland Church Volunteer Accused of Sexual Assault on Child

By Robert Allen
The Åðó Coloradoan
February 2, 2012

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120201/UPDATES01/120201013/UPDATED-Loveland-church-volunteer-accused-sexual-assault-child?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

A Loveland church volunteer accused of sexually assaulting a child has a previous criminal record including child abuse and domestic violence.

Robert Kirchhoff, 54, was advised by videoconference from Larimer County Jail today regarding offenses alleged to have occurred Jan. 27.

Kirchhoff, who until recently was a volunteer with preteens at Resurrection Fellowship church, remains in custody on a $100,000 bond.

He worked with the kids in a group setting, and the volunteer work never involved trips with children away from the church property, said Deborah Kline, administrative assistant to Senior Pastor Jonathan Wiggins.

"Our pastor is the father of four kids, and his heart goes out to the family involved," she said. "No one wants to hear a story like that about a church member."

There is no information indicating the alleged incidents occurred at the chuch, according to Loveland Police Department.

Charges against Kirchhoff include sexual assault on a child and sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust. He's in Larimer County Jail on a $100,000 bond.

Kline said she wasn't aware of the previous child-abuse case. Asked whether volunteers are screened with background checks, she said the church has "certain policies" but declined to elaborate.

Wiggins is expected to address the Kirchhoff matter during church services this weekend, she said.

Kirchhoff's previous guilty plea to misdemeanor domestic violence and child abuse, negligently causing bodily injury, was made regarding charges out of Jefferson County. That offense occurred in December 2006, and he was given a deferred sentence the following year.

Anyone with information about Kirchhoff or the case is asked to call Loveland police Det. Brandon Johnson at the tips line, (970)