GOLDEN, Colo. (June 26, 2026) – Last week, First Judicial District Court Judge Ryan Loewer sentenced James Albert Maestas, 41, to 30 years to life in the Colorado Department of Corrections for the sexual assault and robbery of an employee at a Westminster business in 2025.
On April 30, 2026, following a four-day trial, a Jefferson County jury convicted Maestas of all five counts, including Second Degree Kidnapping (two counts), Sexual Assault with Force, Robbery and Theft.
Just before 9:30 a.m. on Feb. 22, 2025, Maestas, with his face covered, entered a business in the 7000 block of 92nd Avenue in Westminster, where he demanded money from a female employee who was alone inside. The victim later testified she gave him approximately $1,000 in cash before Maestas then forced her into a back room and sexually assaulted her.
During this incident, an employee at a neighboring business called 911 after she saw the victim be pulled into the store by an unknown male (later determined to be Maestas).
Westminster Police responded immediately, interrupting the crime in progress. Officers safely recovered the victim, who was transported to a local hospital, and took Maestas into custody.
At trial, jurors watched Ring camera footage from inside the business that captured Maestas entering with his face fully covered and forcing the victim into a back room. Additional evidence presented at trial included DNA testing of swabs collected from the victim, which confirmed the presence of Maestas’ DNA and further corroborated the victim’s account of the assault.
“Had it not been for an employee at a neighboring business who trusted her instincts and reported what she believed was a dangerous situation, law enforcement may not have been able to interrupt the crime while it was still in progress. This good Samaritan’s vigilance led to a quick response by Westminster Police that no doubt saved the victim from further harm and exemplifies the importance of strong community partnerships with law enforcement,” said lead prosecutor, Deputy District Attorney Ben Hepler.
On the date of the crime, Maestas was a convicted sex offender out of a case from 2007, where he was designated as a Sexually Violent Predator. Maestas had completed his sentence in that case before committing this crime.
At sentencing on June 18th, Hepler argued for the maximum sentence, emphasizing the danger Maestas posed to the community and the harm caused to the victim from a vulnerable community.
Ultimately, the Court sentenced Maestas to an indeterminate prison term of 30 years to life under Colorado’s Sex Offender Lifetime Supervision Act. The Court also designated Maestas a Sexually Violent Predator, marking the second time he has received that designation.
Maestas was sentenced as follows:
Count 1: F2 Second-Degree Kidnapping (victim of sexual assault) – 24 years DOC
Count 2: F2 Second-Degree Kidnapping (victim of robbery) – 24 years DOC
Count 3: F3 Sexual Assault with Force – 12 years to life DOC
Count 4: F4 Robbery – 6 years DOC (to run consecutive to all other counts)
Count 5: M1 Theft – 364 days in jail, to be served in DOC
Presentence confinement credit: 482 days
Counts 1, 2, 3, and 5 will run concurrently.
Total sentence: 30 years to life in the Colorado Department of Corrections.
Further statement from Deputy District Attorney Ben Hepler:
“While cases like this reveal the darkest side of our community, they also remind us of what is possible when people work together. Thanks to a vigilant citizen, a brave victim, the outstanding investigation by the Westminster Police Department, and the unwavering support of our victim advocates, a very dangerous individual has been removed from our community.”