(Douglas County, CO) On May 13, 2025, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Detectives with the Special Victims Unit arrested Michael Palestino, a 33-year-old resident of Castle Pines, in connection with an ongoing child exploitation investigation. Palestino was arrested on the following charges:
- 1 count of Sexual Assault on a Child by One in a Position of Trust (Felony 3)
- 1 count of Sexual Exploitation of a Child (Felony 3)
- 1 count of Sexual Assault on a Child (Felony 4)
- 1 count of Sexual Exploitation of a Child (Felony 4)
Subsequent investigation and evidence led to the identification and arrest of Gianna Worley, a 28-year-old resident of Centennial, CO, also connected to the case. On June 4, 2025, Worley was arrested on the following charges:
- 1 count of Sexual Exploitation of a Child (Felony 3)
- 11 counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Child (Felony 4)
Palestino is currently being held without bond at the El Paso County Jail on an unrelated matter and will be transported to Douglas County at a later date. Worley was booked into the Douglas County Jail and given a $100,000 bond.
This remains an active and ongoing investigation. No additional details will be released at this time.
Note: A charge is merely an accusation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
