Larimer County Man Sentenced to Probation for Sex Offender for Sexual Exploitation of Child – Loveland Reporter-Herald

Mark DeGregorio, the Larimer County man who pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child, has been given a suspended sentence specific to sex offenders.

Mark DeGregorio, 67, appeared before 8th District Judge Juan Villaseñor for sentencing Monday afternoon, just over a month after he pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child by possession of images, a fifth-degree felony.

Both Deputy District Attorney Leeah Lechuga and DeGregorio’s attorney Derek Samuelson asked Villaseñor to accept the agreed-upon plea agreement, with Samuelson adding that his client is “deeply ashamed” of his behavior.

However, he also said that DeGrorio demonstrated insight into his wrongdoing in his written statement, which was part of the pre-sentence investigation report.

“This was someone who from the beginning expressed a desire to be accountable … and to take full advantage of treatment,” he said.

DeGregorio said nothing on his own behalf.

Villaseñor ultimately accepted the plea deal — adding that he believes DeGregorio has a good attitude toward his plea and the required sentencing requirements — and sentenced him to five years of intensive supervised sex offender probation. As part of his sentencing, DeGregorio must complete sex offender treatment and register as a sex offender.

Last May, the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office received a cybercrime tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about an unidentified suspect living in unincorporated Larimer County who was in possession of images depicting child sexual abuse, according to previously released information.

After what it called an “extensive investigation,” the sheriff’s office identified the man as DeGregorio and searched his home in January, the news release said. After processing the evidence, the sheriff’s office issued an arrest warrant for DeGregorio, who was arrested in March at the Larimer County Jail on charges of sexual exploitation of a child via video of extreme risk, a class 4 felony; sexual exploitation of a child via images of extreme risk, a class 4 felony; and sexual exploitation of a child via images, a class 5 felony.

The remaining charges were dropped as part of the agreement.

Originally published: August 19, 2024 at 4:22 pm