25 years for sex offender who tried to grab girl off Aurora street

A registered sex offender who tried to grab a schoolgirl off an Aurora street will spend the next 25 years in prison.

Tyler Mark Christensen, 33, pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual exploitation of a child, a Class 3 felony; other charges were dismissed as part of the plea agreement that meant his 11-year-old victim would not have to testify.

Arapahoe County District Court Judge Michael Spear sentenced him Oct. 25 to 25 years in the Department of Corrections.

“This is the nightmare scenario that haunts parents — the one we try to reassure ourselves will not happen to our children. Here, it did. Or almost did. The bravery of this 11-year-old girl cannot be overstated in defeating the desires of a prior sex offender who sought to rip her out of our community for whatever horrible uses about which we can only speculate,” said District Attorney George Brauchler. “As the legislature flirts with further reducing the sanctions and supervision for sex offenders in our state, they should take note of this case — one in which a previously convicted and incarcerated sex offender who had already been through treatment was sent back onto our streets.”

On Oct. 11, 2018, an 11-year-old girl rode the bus home from Prairie Middle School in Aurora. She got off the bus and was walking home on the sidewalk when Christensen approached. He grabbed her and covered her mouth as she tried to scream. The brave girl bit his finger. He let her go, and she ran home. Christensen ran off in the other direction.

A homeowner’s security camera recorded video of Christensen as he ran.

An Aurora police officer recognized him the next day at an RTD bus stop.

“The defendant previously sexually assaulted an 82-year-old woman, and this time he tried to sexually assault an 11-year-old girl. Due to her quick thinking and courageous actions, she was able to escape and save countless other women and girls from becoming victims,” said Deputy District Attorney Laura Robilotta, who worked the case along with Deputy District Attorney Lisa Gramer. “Helping survivors like her is the reason I come into work each day.”

Christensen has a criminal record that includes assault and trespassing from 2006, attempted sexual assault and assault from 2008, and felony menacing from 2010. He was released from prison in October 2017.