16 Victims Identified in Disturbing Colorado Hypnosis Sexual Abuse Investigation of Former Teacher

By Sarah Horbacewicz | CBS Colorado

A man who says he is one of at least sixteen victims in an elaborate and disturbing criminal ring that was busted in Colorado is hoping sharing his story could inspire other potential victims to come forward. On Tuesday, the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office announced they had arrested former Colorado teacher and 39-year-old suspect, Patricio Illanes on Monday night. Illanes is facing 50 charges of sexual exploitation of a child after more than a decade of working with children.

North Carolina resident Diego Pantojas told CBS Colorado he was 16 in 2022 when he joined communities online about hypnosis. But Pantojas says he quickly found himself in an inappropriate conversation with a man in his 30s in Colorado that was allegedly Illanes.

“He reached out to me. He said that I look good. He was asking me for my name, for information,” said Pantojas.

Pantojas said Illanes would allegedly send sexual messages online and encourage Pantojas to send his own.

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