Creative Director of Group Publishing Pleads Guilty to Abusing Minor
Michael Paustian sentenced to 8 years to life for sexually assaulting 6-year-old in early 2000s
A Colorado man has been sentenced to at least eight years in prison for sexually abusing a child, with the possibility of life behind bars.
Michael Paustian / Photo via LinkedIn profile
According to the Loveland Reporter Herald, Michael Paustian, age 53, pleaded guilty to sexual assault of a child from a position of trust for a victim under the age of 15. He also pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child. Both are class 3 felonies.
Several other charges, including seven other sexual assault charges, were dismissed as part of a plea agreement Paustian made with the District Attorney’s Office.
The sentence is considered an indeterminate sentence, meaning he will first become eligible for parole after the eight-year sentence, but can be held in custody for the rest of his life.
Paustian was employed by Group Publishing as the company’s creative director. Group Publishing is widely known for publishing curriculum used by churches.
The Larimer County Sheriff’s Office first learned of the allegations when the victim, who is now an adult, came forward to police in September 2022. She was 6 years old when the abuse began. During the investigation, police discovered the victim had disclosed the assaults to several family members, but they never notified authorities.
During sentencing, the victim expressed dismay that the adults in her life had not advocated for her as a child, and the courage it took for her to grow into the adult she needed her family members to be.
“I did what I was supposed to do. I told multiple adults but now I am here still having to advocate for myself and any other children that might be in harm,” she said, according to the release. “I have waited 17 years to get justice for my 6-year-old self and I can’t wait to bring her peace and justice.”
Thom Shultz, the founder and CEO of Group Publishing, told ChurchLeaders that Paustian, who began working at Group Publishing in 2005, informed “company leaders in 2023 that he was being accused of incidents that allegedly happened in his home 18 years ago, not related to his work at Group.”
When Group Publishing leaders learned of “Paustian’s guilty plea, his employment was terminated.”
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