Douglas County deputy charged with sexual assault

A Douglas County Sheriff’s Department deputy accused of sexually assaulting an 18-year-old man was arrested today and released on bail.

William J. Webber, 55, a full-time bailiff at the Douglas County Courthouse, had been placed on administrative leave prior to the arrest, according to Sheriff Tom Dalbec.

Webber is accused of assaulting the 18-year-old in Superior on the evening of Oct. 14, according to a news release by Capt. Chad La Lor of the Superior Police Department. Police executed a search warrant at Webber’s residence in the Village of Superior the following day.

As a result of the investigation, Webber was arrested today on two counts of fourth degree sexual assault, two counts of obstructing an officer, one count of possession of representations depicting nudity and one count of exposing a child to harmful material, La Lor stated.

The investigation into the case is still ongoing.

A bail hearing was held in Douglas County Court despite the lack of a criminal complaint. Webber appeared via video from the jail, dressed in a striped polo shirt instead of the usual orange jumpsuit. Court Commissioner Paul Baxter ordered a $2,000 signature bond with the condition of no contact with the alleged victim. Webber signed the bond and was released.

As a bailiff, Webber had daily contact with members of the Douglas County Court system. Because of their working relationships, District Attorney Daniel Blank said he has already put in a request for a special prosecutor to take over the case.

“We may end up with a substitute on the bench as well,” said Baxter, who expects to recuse himself from the case.

Webber’s next court appearance was set for Nov. 21.

Tags: crime and courts, sexual assault, news, superior, breakingnews