Pastor Jason Roberson Pleads Guilty in Vinelife Church Sexual Abuse Case
By Mitchell Byars
Jason Roberson, a VineLife Church youth pastor accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a teenage church member over several years, could be sentenced to more than a decade in prison after pleading guilty to sexual exploitation of children and stalking. Roberson, 35, entered the plea last week in exchange for prosecutors dropping charges of sexual assault on a child in a position of trust and unlawful sexual contact, plus an additional charge of sexual exploitation of children. VineLife Church — 7845 Lookout Road in Longmont — released a statement Thursday addressing the plea deal: "It is our hope that the conclusion of this legal process will bring closure to the sad and tragic events originating from several years ago. Our hearts and prayers are with the families and individuals involved and going forward we pray for healing and restoration for all who have been impacted by this situation." The statement did not address Jason Roberson's status with the church. He is not listed on the church website's staff directory. A pre-sentence investigation and psycho-sexual evaluation have been ordered, and Roberson is due for sentencing on July 18. The sexual exploitation of children charge is a Class 3 felony with a presumptive sentencing range of 4 to 12 years in prison, while the stalking charge is a Class 6 felony. He also will have to register as a sex offender. Roberson had been scheduled to stand trial in July after initially entering a plea of not guilty, but the trial has been cancelled as a result of the plea deal. According to police reports, Danielle DesGeorges, 24, went to police in April 2013 and told investigators that she and Roberson had an inappropriate relationship that began when she was 15 and continued for seven years. In an interview with police, officers reported, Roberson admitted to touching the victim inappropriately, but said it only occurred after she began attending classes at the University of Colorado. DesGeorges, who lives in Boulder, also is suing Roberson and VineLife Church in Boulder District Court. The Daily Camera generally does not identify victims of sexual abuse, but does have a policy of naming them in cases in which they initiate civil litigation. Boulder police obtained a warrant for Roberson's arrest in September, and he turned himself in to the Boulder County Sheriff's Office the same day. He is free on $25,000 bond. Five church officials also were issued summons for failing to report alleged sexual abuse of a child: Senior Pastor Walt Roberson, who is Jason Roberson's father, Executive Pastor Robert Phillip Young, Pastor Luke Michael Humbrecht, and church elders Edward Charles Bennell and Warren Lloyd Williams. Humbrecht already pleaded guilty in his case and was given a 12-month deferred sentence. The others all still have open cases.
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