3 Colorado men arrested in undercover child prostitution operation

DENVER (KDVR) — The Summit County Sheriff’s Office arrested three men last week after an undercover operation targeting people who use the Internet to have sex with children.

According to the agency, about 100 people initially expressed interest in soliciting a prostitute after the online operation began. About 10 of those 100 people “indicated they wanted to perform sexual acts with children.” On August 15, three men arrived separately at the agreed-upon location in Summit County, “with the intent to pay for sexual acts with children.”

There were no children involved in the operation, only law enforcement officers.

“While we wish these crimes didn’t happen, we know they do and we are working tirelessly to address this reality. I thank the team at the Sheriff’s Office and our partner agencies for the safe and successful execution of this operation,” Summit County Sheriff Jaime FitzSimons said in a press release. “It is critical to know who your children are interacting with online and to talk openly about internet safety and potential dangers.”

The three men were arrested, transported and booked into the Summit County Detention Facility on the following charges:

• Suspect one: recruiting for child prostitution, attempting to visit a prostituted child, attempted sexual abuse of a child, cybercrime and attempted contribution to the delinquency of a minor
• Suspect two: recruiting for child prostitution, attempting to visit a prostituted child, attempted sexual abuse of a child and cybercrime
• Suspect three: Internet luring of a child with the intention of exploiting it and attempted sexual abuse of a child

The Summit County Attorney’s Office worked with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, the 5th Judicial District Attorney’s Office and the Summit County 911 Center.

Anyone who suspects a child is being sexually exploited is asked to contact Summit County non-emergency dispatch at 970-668-8600 or dial 911 in an emergency. Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children can also be reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 800-843-5678.