APD Leads Multi-Agency Operation Targeting Child Exploitation and Solicitation

Albuquerque –

The Albuquerque Police Department’s Child Exploitation Detail (CED) partnered with the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, New Mexico Probation and Parole and the New Mexico Department of Justice to conduct a one day operation targeting child exploitation and solicitation.

APD’s CED detectives conducted a multifaceted operation beginning early Tuesday morning. CED along with the Santa Fe Police Department served a search warrant and arrested 26-year-old Julian Gunther. Gunther, a local Albuquerque teacher, faces charges of criminal sexual communication with a child, sexual exploitation, and child solicitation via electronic device. The arrest launched a day-long operation involving eight additional search warrants for child exploitation and sexual communication with a child. During a residential search, officers arrested Aaron James Christenson, 19, for possessing and distributing child exploitation materials. APD’s CED received a CyberTip that led to this investigation and search warrant.

As part of the operation, CED detectives posed as minors on chat sites to identify offenders soliciting sex from children. Seven detectives handled the online chatting and initiated over 100 contacts. During one of the chats, Karim Idahir Larios Vargas, 25, agreed to meet with a detective who was posing as an underage girl for sex at a local Albuquerque park. Detectives apprehended Vargas at the local park and charged him with the following:

• Attempted criminal sexual penetration of a minor
• Solicitation by electronic device
• Resisting/evading law enforcement

APD’s Criminal Investigations Division assigned all detectives and professional staff to assist with the operation. APD detectives and staff partnered with Probation and Parole officers to conduct proactive home visits of registered sex offenders. They contacted 69 people and arrested four sex offenders for probation violations. Gregory Allen Ketchum, Jonmichael Seagroves and Phillip Joseph Gabaldon-Mondragon were arrested for violating probation. Joshua Daven Bolles was also in violation and arrested with a new charge of felon in possession of a firearm.

Each month, APD’s Criminal Investigations Division selects a specific crime to target. They design proactive operations to address that crime. This year, they focused on missing persons, human trafficking, and prostitution. They also conducted outreach and operations targeting child exploitation this month.

“Children are some of the most vulnerable members of society, and it is our job to ensure we are proactively searching for those who want to prey on them,” said Chief Harold Medina.

The Albuquerque Police Department continues to take proactive steps to combat child exploitation and the solicitation of minors. If you or someone you know has experienced child exploitation, solicitation, or sexual abuse, please contact APD’s Criminal Investigations Division to file a report. Call 505-242-COPS or ask to speak directly with a detective in the division. Victim advocates and trauma resources are available to support every victim who comes forward.