Clovis Police: Man Accused of Bestiality and Child Sexual Exploitation

CLOVIS, N.M. — A man arrested as part of an investigation into online solicitation faces charges including bestiality and child sexual exploitation.

According to the Clovis Police Department, a group called the Colorado Ped Patrol was in Clovis on Saturday, August 17, and contacted a person identified as Timothy Conrad Harper, 53.

“The group had contact with Harper, who believed she was a 13-year-old girl, with whom he had contact via text messages with the intention of initiating a sexual relationship,” a press release said.

Police said members of the Colorado Ped Patrol arrived at 709 E. 4th St. and made contact with Harper. The group then notified Clovis police of the situation and officers responded, prompting a request for a detective to investigate the complaint. A detective arrived to examine information provided by the group, including a record of Facebook Messenger and the TextNow application. The information provided matched a cell phone number associated with Harper, police said.

“During an interview with a detective, Harper admitted that he had been communicating with a young girl named Molly, who he believed lived here in Clovis. Harper admitted that the original purpose of meeting with Molly was to have sex so that she could learn more about sex. Harper admitted that he believed Molly was only 14 years old. Harper admitted that he sent pictures to Molly during the communication and planning of the meeting,” the press release stated. “Harper also admitted to engaging in sexual activity with his dog and provided the detective with information about the dog.”

Harper was previously arrested and convicted of having sex with a 13-year-old girl in 1991, police said, and must register as a sex offender for life. However, he admitted to officers that he has lived in Clovis for the past six years and has not registered as required by the state.

Harper was arrested and taken to the Curry County Adult Detention Center, where he was booked on a warrant for sexual exploitation of children, bestiality and registration as a sex offender, all fourth-degree felonies.

The investigation is ongoing. The Clovis Police Department is asking the public for any information they can provide regarding this investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the non-emergency hotline at 575-769-1921. Information can also be provided anonymously through the Clovis Police Department’s tip411 program, which can be accessed at www.police.cityofclovis.org and also through Curry County Crime Stoppers at 575-763-7000.