Michael Paustian was the creative director of Group Publishing, a religious publishing house that created curriculum for churches. Group Publishing specializes in “creating experiences that bring Children, Youth, and Adults into a closer relationship with Jesus,” which includes curriculum for “vacation Bible school, ministry resources, Sunday school resources, children’s resources, adult resources, and women’s ministry resources.”
He has pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault of a child from a position of trust for a victim under the age of fifteen and sexual exploitation of a child. He was sentenced from eight years to life. What that means is he will be eligible for parole after eight years but could be held for the rest of his life If and when he is released, he will have ten years of supervised probation.
The victim came forward as an adult, reporting that he had assaulted her when she was six. Moreover, she claimed that she told several adults. Paustian himself revealed his crime during those years. No one told the police so he remained free. Authorities fear that because of his work, there may be several more victims.
- Loveland Reporter Herald: Berthoud man sentenced to eight years to life in prison for child sexual assault
- Church Leaders: Group Publishing Creative Director Pleads Guilty to Sexually Abusing a 6-Year-Old 18 years Ago
- Larimer County: Michael Paustian Sentenced to 8 Years to Life
