Richard Koca, founder of charity "Stand Up For Kids," arrested for sexually assaulting child, say Colo. police

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

Richard Lee Koca Sr.

/ CBS Denver/Aurora Police Dept.

(CBS) AURORA, Colo. - The founder of a children's charity was arrested last weekend on suspicion that he sexually assaulted an Aurora child under his supervision, CBS Denver reports.

Aurora police Sgt. Cassidee Carlson said officers arrested 69-year-old Richard Lee Koca Sr. Saturday on charges of sexual assault by a person in position of trust. Koca is the founder, former CEO and a current board member of Stand Up For Kids, a national nonprofit volunteer outreach organization for at-risk homeless youth.

"Due to Koca's extensive contact over the past several decades with persons under the age of 18 through his work with several nonprofit organizations that primarily serve children, there are concerns that there may be additional victims," Carlson said in a statement.

Carlson said Koca served in the Navy and visited locations around the world. Police said there's a possibility some victims could be from his time in the Navy and requests anyone with more information to call Aurora police.

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by Mandhwall September 25, 2012 3:41 PM EDT: My husband & I have known Rick for decades & anyone who thinks that this man is capable of this is an idiot!! Rick saved my husband's life more times than we can count. Gave him a place to stay during a blizzard, saving him from freezing to death! He's gotten us jobs, fed us when we has nothing to eat. Rick has held & played with all of my children & NOT ONCE DID WE EVER SEE ANYTHING INAPPROPRIATE!!! This man has saved THOUSANDS of children & young adults THAT THE REST OF YOU THREW AWAY!! He helped abused teens find counseling, gave them a shoulder to cry on when no one else even cared if they lived or died! He's met presidents & served his country with honor & divinity. I can't believe anyone would believe these FALSE accusations! This is a GREAT man & he will be found NOT GUILTY, mark my words.; Reply to this comment


by blackroseMD1 September 24, 2012 3:03 AM EDT: I met Rick when I was 15 years old and living on the streets of San Diego. I like to think I was an attractive young man back then, and never once did he so much as make an inappropriate comment or make me feel uncomfortable. He worked with me on an almost daily basis for 6 years, until I was 21, helping to get me food and clothes and an ID for me to get a job. He also paid for the Greyhound ticket, out of his own pocket, that got me off the streets for good. There were a couple of times where, after suicide attempts, Rick found me and rushed me to the hospital, literally saving my life. A lot of us kids out there were victims of abuse (mental, physical and sexual), and we would have sniffed out a pedophile. Rick didn't do this, no matter what the media and internet commenters might want people to believe, and I can give you at least a couple hundred "kids" from over the last 20+ years that will say the same; Reply to this comment


by KendraHayes September 23, 2012 8:56 AM EDT: I don not care what anyone says about Rick. I know in my heart that he is innocent. These horrific charges just have to be fabricated. There is no way Rick would dare to hurt a child. There are thousands of us that Rick has helped. I have known this man for over a decade and I am one of the kids that he helped. He never once made any kind of sexual move, sexual innuendo, or crossed the line in any way what so ever. Rick stood up for me so now it's my turn to stand up for Rick.; Reply to this comment

by Southmough September 21, 2012 3:53 PM EDT

I'm sure it must be coincidence, but someone stuffed a solicitation letter for "stand up for kids" under my apt. door exactly 2 hrs. ago.

Something is very wrong here.

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by KendraHayes September 23, 2012 8:57 AM EDT: He is innocent.


by blackroseMD1 September 24, 2012 3:17 AM EDT: Yeah, except they didn't. StandUp For Kids doesn't do door to door stuff. If you got a solicitation letter, then someone is trying to rip you off.

Besides, Rick Koca is an individual. StandUp For Kids is a non-profit organization. Two different things.

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