Federal Jury Finds Grand Junction Truck Driver Guilty of Sexually Abusing Two Children

Grand Junction – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces a federal jury today found Michael Tracy McFadden, age 51, of Grand Junction, guilty of crossing state lines with intent to engage in a sexual act with a minor under the age of 12, and transportation of a minor with intent to engage in sexual activity.

According to facts presented at trial, McFadden was a long-haul truck driver who took at least two children on multiple trips out of state. Over a span of at least six years, McFadden repeatedly sexually assaulted the children, both in his home in Grand Junction and in his semitruck in other states. Two of his victims bravely testified at trial, relating to the jury the countless times McFadden abused them. 

Judge Christine M. Arguello presided over the five-day trial. The jury returned its guilty verdict on November 14, 2022.  Sentencing is set for March 7, 2023. McFadden faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years in prison and may be sentenced up to life in prison. 

McFadden was previously charged and convicted in state court with sexual assault of six separate children. However, his convictions were overturned on appeal due to a speedy trial violation, preventing any further state court prosecution.  Upon learning this, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Denver Division immediately launched an investigation into potential federal violations. McFadden was indicted by a federal grand jury in 2019, and rearrested on federal charges. 

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is honored to be a small part of bringing justice for the victims in this case. These victims, despite setbacks and delays, courageously faced their abuser and described convincingly the abuses they suffered more than ten years ago. Their bravery and resilience are inspiring. No matter how long it takes, or how difficult the process, our office will continue to seek justice for all victims,” said U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan.

The investigation in this case was conducted by the FBI Denver Division with substantial assistance from the Grand Junction Police Department and the 21^st Judicial District Attorney’s Office. The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Jeremy Chaffin and Andrea Surratt.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc and click on the "Resources" tab on the left of the page.  

CASE NUMBER: 19-CR-243