Springs man convicted of assaulting girl A Colorado Springs man was convicted late Monday of felony sexual assault on a child after jurors determined he had molested a 9-year-old girl. Marcus A. Fontana, 27, was convicted of two felonies, sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust and pattern of conduct. Jurors found Fontana molested the girl once a week for about five months after she turned 9. The girl, now 10, testified in the trial, according to a release from the 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. “I admire her courage,” senior Deputy District Attorney Debbie Pearson said in the release. “Because she told, she has, quite possibly, stopped abuse of other children.” Fontana is scheduled to be sentenced July 10. He faces a minimum of eight years in prison, with a maximum life sentence possible. He was taken into custody after the verdict. County’s nurturing grade bumped up A new analysis of data presented in the State of the Rockies Report Card pushed El Paso County from a C-minus to a C-plus for nurturing youth. The third annual Report Card, issued by Colorado College last week, contained incorrect data for El Paso County’s dropout rate in 2000. It originally reported 30 percent. The correct figure is 11 percent. The study, which covered eight states in the Rocky Mountain region, was based on teen involvement, family support, educational opportunities, healthy surroundings, safe neighborhoods and engaged communities. Woman found dead was pregnant A woman found dead in her Fort Carson home was seven months pregnant, the Army said Tuesday as an investigation into her death continued. Jessica Andrews’ body was found Sunday after a relative called Fort Carson officials because her family hadn’t heard from her. She was alone in the home, and her husband, a soldier with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, was in Iraq, investigators said. The Army released Andrews’ name Tuesday, but not her age. Investigators said they haven’t ruled out the possibility of foul play. An autopsy was under way Tuesday afternoon, but results were not available, the Army said. Meeting with council members planned Colorado Springs City Council members and staffers will be at the Stetson Hills Police Substation to hear residents’ concerns at 7 p.m. Thursday. Mayor Lionel Rivera and councilmen Darryl Glenn and Bernie Herpin will participate in the city’s first of four “Takin’ It to the Streets” programs planned for 2006. Attendees can ask questions and share their thoughts on neighborhood and citywide issues.
Marcus Fontana: Could get life in prison at July 10 sentencing.
