(COLORADO) — A multi-agency effort has led to the sentencing of a sexual offender who had previously escaped the country.

On Oct. 19, 2020, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of sexual crimes involving a minor at a home in unincorporated El Paso County. The case was assigned to detectives from the Special Victims Unit (SVU) who launched an extensive and complex investigation.

By 2022, detectives had developed probable cause to arrest 49-year-old Bobby Allen Stark on multiple charges, including Sexual Assault on a Child, Retaliation Against a Witness or Victim, Intimidation of Witness or Victim, Bribing a Witness or Victim, and multiple counts of Child Abuse.

Detectives learned that Stark had adopted the victim and subjected her to repeated abuse, including threats involving a firearm. After losing custody, he attempted to kidnap her, claiming he intended to take her with him so she could “be his wife.” During the investigation, detectives further found that Stark tracked the child’s location, waited for an opportunity to kidnap her, and even provided her with a phone to maintain communication despite her being relocated for safety.

On April 30, 2022, he was taken into custody and booked. He was initially held without bond, but following his first court appearance, his bond was reduced to $25,000.

After posting bond, Stark left the U.S. For several months, his whereabouts remained unknown. Authorities later received information that Stark was hiding in Guyana, a country in South America next to Venezuela.

On May 12, 2023, the Guyana Police Force Criminal Investigations Department arrested Stark. The arrest was the result of a coordinated effort involving the Guyana Police Force, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in Guyana, the U.S. Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), and the United States Marshals Service.

Stark was then extradited back to the U.S. in late May 2023 and transferred to El Paso County Jail in May 2024 to face charges.

On May 9, 2025, Startk was sentenced to 10 years to life in the Colorado Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to Sexual Assault on a Child by One in Position of Trust.

“This case underscores the critical importance of law enforcement agencies working together with our federal and international partners to bring child predators to justice,” said El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal. “This individual shattered the innocence of a child and should never have had the chance to leave jail, much less continue trying to manipulate and reach his victim. I’ve said before, our commitment at the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office is unwavering when it comes to protecting our most vulnerable and pursuing justice. I am proud of the relentless work done by our investigators and partners to ensure this predator is held fully accountable.”