A multi-day undercover sting in western Colorado ended with four arrests, after investigators say adults tried to solicit sex from people they believed were minors.
The Mesa County Sheriff's Office, working with Homeland Security Investigations' Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, ran the operation from Feb. 27 through March 2 across Mesa County. The suspects were arrested during the sting, taken into custody, and booked into the county detention facility. For now, officials are keeping the finer operational details under wraps.
Who Was Arrested And Booked Into Jail
According to CBS Colorado, four people were booked into the Mesa County Detention Facility: Max Jones, Jose Suarez‑Tavera and Angella Garcia, all of Grand Junction, along with Clifton resident James Kellerby. Booking photos and arrest details were released by the sheriff's office and reported by local media.
Felony Counts Laid Out By Sheriff’s Office
Per a release from the Mesa County Sheriff's Office, the four face a string of felony charges tied to alleged online contact with minors.
Jones, 49, is listed on counts that include internet luring of a child with intent of sexual contact or exploitation (a class 4 felony), criminal attempt (class 5 felony) and sexual assault on a child. Suarez‑Tavera, 42, is booked on criminal attempt and sexual assault on a child.
Garcia, 28, and Kellerby, 66, are each charged with internet luring, enticement and internet sexual exploitation, according to the sheriff’s release.
How Investigators Ran The Operation
Authorities said the sting relied on undercover online personas to identify people allegedly trying to solicit minors, a tactic that has become standard in Internet Crimes Against Children operations. The work was carried out in partnership with Homeland Security Investigations' Internet Crimes Against Children task force, CBS Colorado reported.
The sheriff's office has made it clear it will not be releasing additional operational details at this time, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation and pending prosecutions.
What Comes Next In The Case
According to the Mesa County Sheriff's Office release, the agency later updated one suspect's age and added a recently obtained mugshot as part of its ongoing case information.
All four defendants remain in custody awaiting prosecution. They are presumed innocent unless and until they are found guilty in court.
