EX-SHAMBHALA MEMBER WILL BE SENTENCED TO PRISON

A former member of Boulder’s Shambhala Center accused of sexually assaulting a child he was introduced to through the Buddhist community in 1997 will be sentenced to prison after taking a plea deal.

Michael Smith, 55, pleaded guilty Wednesday to firstdegree assault and attempted sexual assault on a child before Boulder District Judge Bruce Langer.

Boulder Senior Deputy District Attorney Laura Kinde said attorneys agreed that Smith will serve 15 to 25 years in prison on the firstdegree assault charge, a Class 3 extraordinary risk felony. He also will serve three years on the attempted sex assault charge, a Class 5 felony, but that sentence will be served alongside the assault sentence.

A sentencing hearing was set for May 6.

Prosecutors dismissed the original count of sexual assault on a child, and the scheduled trial on that count was canceled.

Smith’s attorney, Steven Louth, waived factual basis on the assault and attempted sexual assault counts, saying Smith pleaded to the charges to avoid trial on the charge of sexual assault on a child.