Lafayette man guilty of sex assault on a child

After a 90-minute deliberation Tuesday, a jury found a Lafayette man guilty of two counts of sexual assault on a child, according to a press release by the Weld District Attorney's Office.

Firestone Police arrested Charles Ellis, 60, on Sept. 17, 2007 after the victim's mother reported the abuse, which occurred over three years.

According to police reports, the abuse occurred while the victim and his family lived with Ellis in Firestone from June 2000 to September 2003. In August 2007, the victim told his mother about the abuse, according to the press release.

Ellis faces a minimum of eight years to life in prison. This being his second sexual assault conviction, the Weld DA's office plans to pursue a habitual sexual offender charge. If Ellis is deemed a habitual sexual offender, he could face a minimum of 48 years to life in prison, according to the press release.

Ellis' next court hearing is on June 4.