DU’s Department of Campus Safety (DCS) does not believe the man who was arrested last Tuesday near campus in connection with a series of sexual assaults is the same man suspected of forcibly fondling four DU students last fall quarter.
“Unfortunately, he is a separate individual,” said DCS Sgt. Stephen Banet.
According to Banet, the suspect who was recently apprehended, 26-year-old Juan Hernandez-Vargas, did not match the description of the suspect who forcibly fondled DU students last fall while they walked alone at night. That suspect is described as white or Hispanic, with a thin-to-medium build, 5-feet-7-9 inches tall and anywhere from 19-29 years old. In contrast, Vargas is described as approximately 6-feet tall with a heavy build.
In addition, Banet said Vargas struck predominantly in the daytime hours and would wait in alleys for his victims to pass by, and then run up and grab them. The forcible fondling suspect from last fall would follow victims or pass them walking in the opposite direction, grope their buttocks and then run off.
“The descriptions are different and this person was operating in a different manner,” said Banet.
According to the Denver Police Department (DPD), Vargas is accused of sexually assaulting at least seven women during August and early September. These attacks occurred in North Denver, Washington Park and east of DU’s campus, near Evans and I-25. Banet said he was not aware if Vargas attacked any DU students.
“If there were DU students assaulted, then we have no knowledge whatsoever,” said Banet. “If it did happen, it’s a sexual assault and it’s very common that the victims would go to Denver police and they wouldn’t release that to us.”
Banet said he was glad DPD apprehended Vargas because he was concerned that he would attack students near campus once the school quarter began. DPD took Vargas into custody last Tuesday following an under-cover surveillance operation in areas where attacks had occurred, including several alleys near campus.
“When he struck near campus, I remarked in a meeting that he was starting to work his way down toward our direction and briefed our patrol officers to make them aware and be on the lookout,” said Banet.
Vargas was reportedly driving a dark Nissan sedan with a device or tinted plate to mask his license plate number.
“My biggest concern was that [Vargas] would eventually find his way onto our campus and start his pattern here,” said Banet.
Banet said as a result DCS also stepped up patrols along the South High Street corridor where the forcible fondlings occurred last fall.
“I’m glad to hear they are being more vigilant,” said a victim who was groped by the suspect last fall.
Banet said DCS did not assist DPD with the under-cover operation that led to Vargas’s arrest. DPD has not released Vargas’s mug shot because investigators are still waiting to see if any other victims will come forward and are waiting for victims to identify Vargas in a photo lineup.
Vargas, who is being held in Denver City Jail on $20,000 bond, is scheduled to appear in court today.
He is charged with one felony count of unlawful sexual contact with the use of force, one felony count of sexual assault on a victim under 15 years old and three misdemeanor charges of unlawful sexual contact.
Any DU student who believes they were victimized by Vargas should call Denver police at (720)913-2000.
