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Colorado Parole Board Member Busted for Child Porn
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Custer County (Colorado) sheriff launched an investigation in early December, 2001, into allegations that Larry Schwarz, a former Colorado Congressman and parole board member, dealt child pornography out of his home.
Schwarz was a member of the Colorado House of Representatives from January, 1995, until August, 1997, when he resigned to accept an appointment to the parole board from former Governor Roy Romer. He was fired by current Governor Bill Owens on December 4, 2001, while authorities executed a search warrant for the suspected pornography at Schwarz's home.
No charges were filed on the first day of the search, though officers did seize several boxes of material from the home, as well as a computer. The warrant for Schwarz's house was aimed at finding "any and all pornographic materials, video tapes, films, magazines, books, written material, photographs, computer files and disks (about) sexual abuse of any child or juvenile. . ." The officers indicated that they would have to return to the home, perhaps for another day or two, to conclude the search.
Governor Owens said that he fired the 61-year-old Schwarz for "providing false information to the governor on his application requesting reappointment to the board." Apparently the false information concerned whether anything in Schwarz's background would be embarrassing if it became public.
Don Van Pelt, chairman of the Parole Board, said Schwarz could have interviewed about 50 sex offenders a month during his four years on the board. According to the governor, a sampling of the hearings conducted by Schwarz found no irregularities. However, it is unclear whether this is actually the case or if it is the board's way of protecting the integrity of the hearings against legal challenges from the prisoners it affected.
The investigation by the CBI and Custer County sheriff continues and it is unclear what charges Schwarz will face. The Parole Board will continue with the six remaining members until someone is appointed to replace Schwarz.
Source: The Pueblo Chieftain
Schwarz was a member of the Colorado House of Representatives from January, 1995, until August, 1997, when he resigned to accept an appointment to the parole board from former Governor Roy Romer. He was fired by current Governor Bill Owens on December 4, 2001, while authorities executed a search warrant for the suspected pornography at Schwarz's home.
No charges were filed on the first day of the search, though officers did seize several boxes of material from the home, as well as a computer. The warrant for Schwarz's house was aimed at finding "any and all pornographic materials, video tapes, films, magazines, books, written material, photographs, computer files and disks (about) sexual abuse of any child or juvenile. . ." The officers indicated that they would have to return to the home, perhaps for another day or two, to conclude the search.
Governor Owens said that he fired the 61-year-old Schwarz for "providing false information to the governor on his application requesting reappointment to the board." Apparently the false information concerned whether anything in Schwarz's background would be embarrassing if it became public.
Don Van Pelt, chairman of the Parole Board, said Schwarz could have interviewed about 50 sex offenders a month during his four years on the board. According to the governor, a sampling of the hearings conducted by Schwarz found no irregularities. However, it is unclear whether this is actually the case or if it is the board's way of protecting the integrity of the hearings against legal challenges from the prisoners it affected.
The investigation by the CBI and Custer County sheriff continues and it is unclear what charges Schwarz will face. The Parole Board will continue with the six remaining members until someone is appointed to replace Schwarz.
Source: The Pueblo Chieftain
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