A former Boulder therapist will soon go on trial on charges he sexually abused two young clients decades ago.

The process begins December 3and if Hochwender were found guilty, Colorado’s sentencing rules for sex crimes could call for life in prison.

Case overview

Mark Hochwender is accused of a pattern of abuse and is charged with two counts of sexual assault of a child by a person in a position of trust.

Under Colorado law, which imposes severe penalties for sex crimes involving minors, these charges are classified as 3rd degree murder.

If convicted, Hochwender faces an indeterminate sentence, meaning he could spend the rest of his life in prison.

The trial will be overseen by a jury and is expected to last five days.

Hochwender, who pleaded not guilty to the charges, is now free on a $25,000 personal recognizance bond.

This indicates that he agreed to appear in court when required, but was not required to pay cash bail.

Allegations and accounts of victims

The allegations against Hochwender come from two sisters who say he groomed and sexually assaulted them while he was their family therapist.

According to the affidavit, Hochwender initially treated the sisters’ father before moving into the role of family counselor.

Over time, he began engaging in inappropriate acts, including massages and nude baths, which escalated to sexual abuse.

The abuse allegedly began when the sisters were in junior high or high school.

They described feeling manipulated and betrayed by someone they were supposed to trust.

The sisters stated that they were not aware of the other’s abuse until years later when they shared their experiences as adults.

Their revelations led them to report Hochwender to the authorities.

Investigations and Judicial Proceedings

The story originally broke in 2020, when the sisters reported the abuse to Boulder police and wrote a letter to the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies.

This sparked a lengthy investigation that included several families who interacted professionally with Hochwender.

Hochwender left the profession and surrendered his license in 2021 rather than contest claims of unethical customer interactions.

Although the investigation has raised concerns about the potential for more victims, he has not yet been charged with any further crimes so far.

The specifics of these allegations should be clarified at Hochwender’s trial.

Attorneys can still make legal arguments that could affect the outcome of the trial at a motion hearing that is arranged before trial.

Background and public concerns

The reported events occurred in Hochwender’s home offices of Boulder and Westminster after 1999.

These circumstances and the reputable position of a family therapist added to the weight of the claims.

Concerns about grooming and exploitation by those in positions of power were brought to light by the sisters’ testimonies.

Law enforcement officials have expressed concern that more victims are likely yet to come forward.

However, despite their efforts, no further claims have emerged publicly.

The case has attracted a lot of community interest as many people are watching it closely as the trial builds.

For now, Hochwender remains free on bond while awaiting jury trial.

Authorities continue to encourage anyone with information to contact them, stressing the importance of disclosing the full scope of the allegations.

This process is a crucial opportunity for victims to seek justice and accountability for alleged abuse.