Publish Date: 3/14/2007
Felony charge against Hinton dropped
Vic Vela
The Daily Record
A felony charge will be dropped today against the Royal Gorge Academy co-director arrested in January for suspected assault and other charges. However, several new misdemeanor counts will be added.
Randall Hinton of Ca?on City, 32, will face misdemeanor charges in connection to the January Ca?on City Police Department investigation into allegations that Hinton was abusive toward students at the private boarding school.
Hinton now will face seven counts of third-degree assault, a Class I misdemeanor, and two counts of false imprisonment, a Class II misdemeanor. There are seven alleged victims in the case.
The maximum penalty for third-degree assault is up to two years in jail. The false imprisonment charge carries with it a maximum penalty of one year. However, probation can also be considered, rather than jail time.
Hinton originally was charged with false imprisonment, a Class V felony as well as third degree assault, a Class I misdemeanor and reckless endangerment, a Class III misdemeanor. After its investigation, the District Attorney?s Office chose not to pursue the felony false imprisonment charge.
?Our office feels it?s more appropriate at this time to go forward with misdemeanor charges,? said Fremont County Deputy District Attorney Thom LeDoux.
The D.A.?s office has the final say in determining what charges officially are filed against suspects, not law enforcement agencies like CCPD.
?The District Attorney?s office does an independent review of the case,? said LeDoux. ?We then make a determination on what is appropriate to proceed with.?
An affidavit that followed Hinton?s arrest alleges Hinton forced one female student to ?lie face down on the floor, arms to her side and palms up for hours.? The affidavit also reads Hinton refused to let the girl use the restroom while she was having her period. Staff members interviewed by CCPD said they had sus-pected Hinton of abusing students before.
However, parents and other staff members interviewed have been supportive of Hinton and his work at the school.
Hinton, along with school Vice President Brian Lemons, opened Royal Gorge Academy in the spring of 2006. The boarding school houses boys and girls, ranging from 13-17 of age, who have been sent to the school by their parents for various reasons, including behavioral and academic problems.
Hinton?s attorney, Michael Gillick, said he is pleased his client will not face a felony charge. However, he still hopes to see Hinton acquitted of all charges.
?I certainly agree there were no actions that constituted felonies,? he said. ?We believe all actions taken by Randall Hinton were appropriate given the circumstances. Mr. Hinton maintains his innocence toward any charges.?
Hinton is scheduled to appear in court at 3:15 p.m. today when the new charges will be filed. Because the case no longer carries with it felonious implications, future proceedings now will be held in county court.
Hinton remains free on a $2,500 bond.
Vic Vela can be reached at
vvela@ccdailyrecord.com.