Thornton youth pastor sentenced to 13 years to life for child sexual assault

Joshua Lucero, a 29-year-old former youth pastor at Word Alive Church in Thornton, Colorado, has been sentenced to 13 years to life in prison for the sexual assault of a child. An Adams County jury convicted Lucero in May of sexual assault on a child by someone in a position of trust, noting a pattern of abuse.

Prosecutors stated that Lucero developed a secret relationship with a 16-year-old girl in the church’s youth group and engaged in sexual contact with her over several years. During this time, he pressured the victim not to disclose the abuse.

While the victim and her parents reported the incidents to church leadership in 2021, officials noted that the leadership team chose to handle the matter internally rather than notifying law enforcement. This decision led to the resignation of three board members, who subsequently reported the assaults to the Thornton Police Department. Lucero was arrested in March 2025.