AURORA | Investigators are looking for possible child-sex assault victims in Aurora, and across the country, as one of two men arrested Tuesday during a sting operation is an airline pilot that may have carried out assaults in other cities, according to Aurora police.
Aurora police arrested Ralph Edward Bledsoe, 68, of Florissant, after officers said he went to an Aurora hotel “for what he thought was a planned meeting to engage in a sexual encounter with a minor,” Aurora police spokesperson Joe Moylan said in a statement.
Bledsoe faces charges of internet luring, internet sexual exploitation of a child, and attempted sex assault of a child. He is being held at the Arapahoe County jail in lieu of $50,000 bond., according to jail records.
“Bledsoe does not have a prior criminal history, however during the investigation, detectives learned that Bledsoe may have had sexual relationships with minors in the past in Denver, Pennsylvania and Phoenix,” Moylan said. “Bledsoe is an airline pilot and investigators have developed information that he flew to Colorado from Canada for the meeting.”
Investigators said they intercepted “gifts” before the alleged meeting, “including lingerie and sex toys.”
Seth Robertson, lieutenant of the Aurora Police Department Special Victims Section, said that details gleaned from the investigation, including the suspect being an airline pilot, is prompting further investigation into other potential victims.
“His arrest does not mean this investigation is over.,” Robertson said. “Our detectives are working diligently with local, state and federal partners throughout the country to try to identify additional victims and to ensure they receive the justice they deserve.”
Police are asking anyone with knowledge of Bledsoe’s travels who might have information about possible sexual assault victims in other cities to contact investigators.
Arrested after investigation of a separate, unrelated case was Gregory Thomas Daniels, 39, of Aurora.
Daniels was arrested April 2, after he, also, attempted to meet who he thought was a minor for a sexual encounter, police said.
He, too, is currently being held at the Arapahoe County jail in lieu of $50,000 bond and faces charges of internet luring of a child and attempted sex assault of a child.
Moylan said the sting operation was a joint effort that included APD, Longmont police, Homeland Security Investigations, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, the Boulder County Computer Forensics Lab and the Boulder County District Attorney Office.
“The operation was designed to identify and arrest predators who use the internet to prowl for child victims to engage in sexual activity and exploitation,” Moylan said.
“As a police officer and father, I am appalled by these disgusting crimes that target children within our community,” said Mark Hildebrand, APD chief of investigations.
Both investigations are active and ongoing.
Police said anyone with information can call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867. Tipsters can remain anonymous and still be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000, police said.
Man, as a father of two girls and a grandfather of a granddaughter, no punishment for these sickos would be too much for me. The trauma inflicted by these jerks haunts victims for years. I love these stings because it always sweeps up creeps that are masquerading as respectable citizens. I lived in Davenport, IA, and they conducted these in the 80s and 90s. I recall that in one sweep, they arrested a prominent priest. He insisted he was “ministering” to these young women. Yeah, right! He did time! Way to go, Aurora Police!
No mention of which airline?