Felipe Salazar-Varela Sentenced to 27 Years

On Monday, Felipe Salazar-Varela was sentenced to 27 years in the Department of Corrections after he was found guilty of the following charges:

• Burglary in the 1st Degree - Assault/Menace (F3)
• (2) Burglary in the 2nd Degree- Of Dwelling (F3)
• Attempted Burglary in the 2nd Degree (F5)
• (6) Violation of a Protection Order (M1)
• Assault in the 3rd Degree (M1)
• Harassment- Strike/Shove/Kick (M1)
• Child Abuse-Knowing Reckless (M2)
• (2) Obstructing a Peace Officer (M2)

Many of these charges included a Domestic Violence Sentence Enhancer. 

Mr. Salazar-Varela was found guilty following a seven-day trial in late January of this year. 

These charges represent several different incidents where the victim was repeatedly harassed and terrorized by Mr. Salazar-Varela, including breaking into her home on two occasions, physically assaulting her, including in front of a child, and repeatedly contacting her despite multiple court orders. 

This prosecution was led by the 8th Judicial District Attorney’s Domestic Violence Unit (DVU), a specialty team in our office that works to prosecute our most complex domestic violence cases. The DVU selects cases based not only on the severity of charges but also by evaluating cases using their expertise in domestic violence to identify underlying factors that may make an offender more dangerous or present heightened risks to victims. 

“The expertise of our Domestic Violence Unit was critical in successfully prosecuting this case,” said District Attorney Gordon McLaughlin. “These cases are complex, with victims facing significant hurdles in reporting domestic violence crimes and attorneys needing to overcome many obstacles at trial. I am proud of our team for working to hold Mr. Salazar-Varela accountable.”

If you or someone you know is experiencing intimate partner violence, help is available:

Alternatives to Violence: 970.669.5150

Crossroads Safehouse: 1.888.541.SAFE (7233)

Estes Valley Crisis Advocates: 970-577-9781

Violence Free Colorado: www.violencefreecolorado.org/

National Domestic Violence Hotline: www.thehotline.org/