James Wendell Dean, 54, was sentenced to 188 months in prison, more than 15 years, for transporting a minor across state lines with intent to engage in sexually explicit conduct with the minor. Dean, who lives in Boulder, was given the sentence two weeks ago. He is currently serving time for a state-level probation violation and will begin his federal sentence when the first sentence is completed.
Dean’s son went to the same school as the minor who he transported across state lines. The minor started spending the night at Dean’s house beginning in 2020. She stayed at Dean’s house regularly and kept her own belongings in the house. Investigators said the girl was a sexual abuse victim and had an unstable home life. They described her as “vulnerable.”
In 2022, the sexual relationship was reported by a friend of the girl to school administrators. A protection order was filed by the girl’s parents and Boulder began a criminal investigation which uncovered text messages indicating a sexual relationship began between the girl and Dean in late 2021.
On May 11, 2022, the protection order was denied by a Boulder judge. The girl was reported missing hours later. She was found hiding under a bed at Dean’s home the next day, after a search warrant was granted. Authorities also found nude photographs of the girl and sex toys in Dean’s home.
After four months spent in jail for charges related to the May 22 incident, Dean received a plea deal of 118-days. He was given credit for time served and was released. Dean moved to a Phoenix, Arizona suburb and continued communicating with the girl.
Dean paid his friend to drive the girl to the Denver airport on June 19, 2023. An airline ticket for the girl was purchased by Dean and he was listed as the girl’s parent. The girl sent photos of herself to her family so they knew she was in Arizona. Authorities asked Dean to return to his home four days after the girl arrived, but he didn’t comply. On June 30, 2023, Dean and the girl were located and during an interview with authorities, Dean said he hoped to marry the girl when she turned 16. The girl was sent back to her guardians in Colorado.
“Crimes against children are the most despicable in our society,” said United States Attorney Matt Kirsch. “Our office will aggressively prosecute anyone who harms a minor.”
FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek said that Dean’s sentence serves as a reminder that protecting children from predators is a top priority for the FBI. “We will continue to support victims of child sexual exploitation and work with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who prey upon children,” Michalek said.
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