Assault occurred in the area of Caribou Road and Forest Service Road 505

Boulder County, Colo. - On July 25, 2023, the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office was made aware of a sexual assault and an assault that occurred around the area of Caribou Road and Forest Service Road 505 in unincorporated Boulder County, outside of the town of Nederland.

The victim reported that she was hiking in the area when she was contacted by an unknown male driving what she described as a, “search and rescue” vehicle. The male offered her a ride to a different trail in the area. While with him, she was sexually and physically assaulted. Ultimately, she was able to leave the male and immediately reported this incident to the sheriff’s office.

She described the suspect as a white male in his 50’s, bald, with a mostly grey beard and was wearing a green collared shirt styled to look like a search and rescue uniform shirt. She believed the male to be a part of an official search and rescue organization.

The investigation continued and detectives obtained an arrest warrant for 50-year-old William Tidwell, a resident of the City of Northglenn. Tidwell was arrested on this warrant by the Idaho Springs Police Department on August 7, 2023.

Based on the investigation to date, sheriff’s office investigators believe there may be additional victims and witnesses both in and outside of Boulder County. Anyone with information should contact Detective Garrett Eastman with the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office at 303-441-3633, or via email at: geastman@bouldercounty.gov.

TIDWELL is currently being held at the Boulder County Jail for the Charges of Unlawful Sexual Contact by Force (Felony 4), Second Degree Assault (Felony 4), and Impersonation a Public Servant (Misdemeanor 2).

Agencies who assisted with this investigation include the Boulder County Digital Forensic Lab, Northglenn Police Department, Idaho Springs Police, Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office, Boulder County District Attorney’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The associated Boulder County Sheriff’s Office case number is 23-04025.

As in every criminal case, these charges are merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty.

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/s/ Sgt. Connor Pontiakos