Summit County Sheriff’s Office arrests three men on child prostitution and exploitation charges following undercover operation

According to the Summit County Sheriff’s Office, three men were arrested last week on suspicion of attempted sexual abuse of a child.

The Sheriff’s Office said in a press release Monday, August 19, that it conducted the undercover operation in partnership with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, the Colorado 5th Judicial District Attorney’s Office and the Summit County 911 Center.

During the operation, about 100 people indicated that they were initially interested in approaching a prostitute, the press release said. Of these, about 10 men indicated that they wanted to perform sexual acts with children.

On Thursday, August 15, law enforcement claims three men who planned to pay for sex acts with children arrived “separately and independently” at prearranged locations in Summit County, the news release said. Officers immediately arrested, transported and booked the three men into the Summit County Jail, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Summit County resident Isaiah Rapheal Brown was arrested on charges of soliciting child prostitution, attempting to visit a prostituted child, attempted sexual assault of a child and cybercrime, all felonies, the statement said. Brown was also reportedly arrested on a charge of attempting to contribute to the delinquency of a minor, a misdemeanor.

Twin Lakes resident Andrew James Wright was arrested on suspicion of soliciting child prostitution, attempting to solicit a child acting as a prostitute, attempted sexual assault of a child and cybercrime, the sheriff’s office said.

Denver resident Mark Saeyoon Kim was arrested on suspicion of luring a child over the internet with the intent to exploit the child and attempted sexual abuse of a child, both felonies, according to the press release.

According to the sheriff’s office, the operation was conducted by police and no children were involved.

“While we wish these crimes did not occur, we know they do, and we are working tirelessly to address this reality,” Sheriff Jaime FitzSimons said in a statement. “I thank the team at the Sheriff’s Office and our partner agencies for the safe and successful execution of this operation.”

He added: “It is crucial to know who your children are interacting with online and to talk openly about internet safety and potential dangers.”

Anyone who suspects a child is being sexually exploited should contact Summit County non-urgency dispatch at 970-668-8600 or call 911 for emergencies. 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 at 800-843-5678.