Colorado DA faces recall after seeking to dismiss charges against trans sex offender accused of trying to kidnap 11-year-old boy

In the wake of a Colorado district attorney’s office moving to dismiss charges against a sex offender who has been accused of attempting to kidnap a boy from a schoolyard, a local city councilwoman has said that efforts to recall the DA are underway.

The 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office told Fox 31 on Friday that they plan to "drop charges" against 33-year-old Solomon Galligan, who was charged in April 2024 with one count of attempted kidnapping for allegedly attempting to snatch an 11-year-old boy from Aurora’s Black Forest Hills Elementary School.

After Galligan’s arrest, a competency evaluation was administered and it was found that Galligan was "mentally incompetent." The DA’s office told the outlet that they were "planning to drop charges against the defendant, which is required by law when they are found mentally incompetent to stand trial."

Aurora City Councilwoman Danielle Jurinsky told the New York Post that an "effort" to "recall" Democrat DA Amy Padden "is well under way and will begin this week."

"The conduct of the 18th DA over the past six months is beyond deplorable. This is simply the icing on the cake," Jurinsky said. "The progressive attitude will not be tolerated. While certain state laws highlight deeper issues in the state of Colorado, Amy Padden will be recalled for her part in not upholding the laws and punishing criminals."

In April 2024, after Galligan’s arrest, Galligan’s niece Amanda Morris told 9 News, "He was known for acting out, making impulse decisions, running away... not knowing where he was going." Galligan was diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder at the age of 16, his family said, and has been in and out of jail for 12 years.

Galligan’s sister, Sarah, told the outlet, "It just really sucks he had to do something so eye-catching for everybody to see he's not well, and he's not okay to be out and be on his own."

In 2011, Galligan shared news on Facebook stating that he identified as a woman and had begun taking hormone shots. That same year, Galligan was placed on the sex offender registry after being convicted of non-consensual sexual conduct. 

"So im starting my hormone shots and i relly cant wait im on my hormone pills ive been on them for almost 4 months i wake up all depressed and crying but in the end its gonna be totally worth it you know what i mean im really excited my measurements are already changing and im super thrilled," Galligan wrote at the time. It is unclear if he still identifies as transgender, and Galligan’s Facebook account has been inactive since 2018. Recent news reports refer to Galligan with male pronouns. 

The DA's office told the New York Post, "We have not yet filed the formal motion to Dismiss. We have until the end of the month to do so. The defendant is being civilly committed into mental health treatment. However, we are legally prohibited from discussing the details surrounding his competency beyond saying that he’s been found mentally incompetent to proceed. When a defendant is found incompetent to proceed, we are legally obligated to dismiss charges. Our hands are tied based on the findings of competency. However, they are not being released to the public."