Lemus, Richard D – Internet luring of a child/intent to commit sexual contact/exploitation F4 and 3 additional charges

Detectives with the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office have obtained an arrest warrant for Richard Lemus, 56, of Whitewater, on suspicion of multiple counts of sexual exploitation of a child.

On Thursday, September 19, 2024, Lemus was arrested after he showed up to meet a 14-year-old girl for sex. Lemus thought he was chatting with the underage girl online; however, she turned out to be an undercover detective with the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office. Lemus was immediately arrested and taken to jail.

Richard Lemus is currently being held in the Mesa County Detention Facility on the following charges:

• Internet luring of a child/intent to engage in sexual contact/exploitation – class 4 felony
• Sexual Assault – Sexual Exploitation of a Child via the Internet – Class 4 Felony
• Attempted Felony – Class 5 Felony
• Sexual assault of a child

For current charges and bail amounts, please visit the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office website: Inmate Locator.