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Colorado Springs church staffer confesses to child sexual assault, luring

Police in Colorado Springs and Fountain said that a church communications director in Colorado Springs has confessed to illegal and inappropriate conduct with an underage girl.

According to a court document obtained by KRDO NewsChannel 13, police arrested Stephen Houlihan, 28, a week ago on suspicion of sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust, Internet luring of a child and obscenity.

The document states that some of Houlihan’s behavior occurred while he was in his church office, when he asked the victim to send him a nude photo of herself.

KRDO NewsChannel 13 has confirmed that Houlihan is married and works at Fellowship of the Rockies church in southwest Colorado Springs.

The document indicates that the victim, who turned 16 last month, lives in Fountain and was 15 when much of the behavior in question occurred.

According to the document, police began investigating last week, after the victim’s mother found inappropriate messages from Houlihan on her cell phone.

Police said Houlihan and the victim communicated primarily on Instagram, and that he sent her several sexually explicit photos and repeatedly expressed a desire to have sex with her.

According to the document, Houlihan and the victim spent some at his house on her birthday, and they kissed twice.

The document also indicates that Houlihan was preparing to move to Texas for a new job and wanted to continue the relationship with the victim.

During his confession to police, Houlihan said he and the victim became close when she was having trouble at home.

Stewart McWilliams, a senior pastor at the church for 21 years, said he and his congregation are shocked by the situation.

“I was out of town when I first heard the news,” he said. “I immediately got on a plane to return and make a statement to our church in person. We’re going to continue to be transparent because the name of God deserves transparency.”

McWilliams said Houlihan is on unpaid leave until the case is over.

“I firmly believe that God will bring healing and restoration to the people involved in this tragic circumstance,” he said.

Child sexual assault and Internet luring of a child are Class 4 felonies in Colorado, each punishable by a maximum prison sentence of six years and a maximum fine of $500,000.

Obscenity is a lesser Class 6 felony, punishable by a maximum prison sentence of 18 months and a maximum fine of $100,000.

Houlihan is free on bond and is scheduled for a court appearance Monday.

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