All people are presumed innocent until proven guilty, but Chris “Birdman” Andersen is going to have a hard time shaking his new reputation.
The Nuggets forward’s home was searched on Thursday as part of an investigation by the sheriff department’s Internet Crimes Against Children unit. Property from his home (likely computers and other devices with Internet access) was seized for investigation, but he has not been arrested nor charged with a crime.
There aren’t any specifics about the investigation, but you really don’t need much when it comes to sexually exploiting children.
“It could include many different things. Right now we’re not saying. They literally just got the property this morning,” Douglas County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Deborah Sherman said on Thursday. “The Sheriff’s Office did contact him this morning while he was at his house, and he cooperated fully.”
The Denver Post reports that another person could live at the home, so it would be possible for him to be not guilty even if there were crimes committed at his house.
Another disturbing aspect of the investigation is that Birdman’s media guide profile lists his involvement in several children charities.
Andersen has a history of helping out charities during his time in Denver and New Orleans, where he played from 2004-08. According to the Nuggets’ media guide, Andersen raised money for Mount Saint Vincent, a home for troubled and abused children, and was honored at the home’s 2009 Silver Bell Ball. He’s also involved with Alliance for Choice in Education, which provides scholarships for low-income families to use in private schools.
His middle name is Claus, and he dressed up as Santa to raise money for ACE in 2009, according to his media guide bio. He also helped with hunger initiatives while with the Hornets.
You really hope someone who has raised money to help troubled and abused children wouldn’t be involved in sexually exploiting children. You just really hope that isn’t the case.
Photo Credit: Spruce Derden-US PRESSWIRE
