Charges Dropped for Colorado Man Found Mentally Incompetent

The 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office has announced that a Colorado man, accused of attempting to lure an 11-year-old boy, will not face trial due to being deemed “mentally incompetent.” Solomon Garrigan, 33, was charged in April 2024 after an incident at Black Forest Hills Elementary School in Aurora, where he allegedly tried to grab a child during a break.

Although the DA’s office has not yet officially dismissed the charges, they are required to do so by the end of the month. It’s interesting to note that Garrigan, who is identified in court documents with female pronouns and referred to as “Mr. Garrigan,” has a complex background.

A DA spokesperson mentioned, “We are legally obligated to dismiss the charges when the defendant is found to be incompetent in proceeding. Our hands are tied based on the discovery of capabilities.” This situation certainly raises some eyebrows.

Aurora Police have confirmed that Garrigan is a registered sex offender with prior involvement with the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office. Following his arrest, an assessment determined he was not fit for a trial.

Looking at Garrigan’s public Facebook profile, he began hormone therapy back in 2011 as part of his gender transition. Latest images from 2018 depict him with a wig and painted nails, capturing a different side of his identity.

Video of the alleged 2024 incident shows Garrigan approaching children in the schoolyard. Reports indicate that students scattered towards a teacher, managing to alert them as they chased one boy who managed to escape amid the chaos of going over blankets that Garrigan was carrying.

In response to this incident, parents wrote a lengthy letter to school administrators, advocating for improved security measures. This led to an investigation by the school district, which resulted in the dismissal of the principal along with new safety protocols during outdoor activities.

The district stated, “The information obtained through this study has now come to determine that administrative changes are necessary at Black Forest Hills.” It’s a tough situation for everyone involved.

Meanwhile, Republican Aurora City Councilman Daniel Julinski is pushing to hold Democrat Arapahoe County District Attorney Amy Padden accountable, claiming that the law should be enforced more strictly against individuals like Garrigan. Julinski indicated that efforts would ramp up this week.