Today, May 20, 2021, the Colorado Springs Police Department arrested 34-year-old Joshua Silverthorn for Internet Sexual Exploitation of a Child (a class four felony).
Silverthorn, who is a physical education teacher at Monterey Elementary School, was taken into custody following an undercover operation by the Durango Police Department in partnership with the Colorado Springs Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC).
About the Investigation
On May 17, 2021, ICAC was contacted by the Durango Police Department, who had been conducting an online, undercover operation over the last two months. During the investigation, law enforcement personnel, operating in an undercover capacity, communicated on the internet through various websites with individuals interested in having sex with children, one of which was identified as Silverthorn. It was later learned that Silverthorn resided in Colorado Springs. At that point in the investigation, the Durango Police Department requested assistance from the Colorado Springs ICAC Task Force to continue the investigation. The Colorado Springs ICAC Task Force applied for and was granted arrest and search warrants.
Earlier this morning, around 6:45 A.M., members from the ICAC Task Force took Silverthorn into custody and executed a search warrant for his home as well as his place of work.
This is still an active investigation. Any updates will be released as appropriate.
About ICAC
The Colorado Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), is a group of local and federal law enforcement agencies, as well as prosecutors located in and around the state of Colorado who are trained and dedicated to protecting children online by investigating and prosecuting crimes committed against children, facilitated by the internet, technology and computer usage. Colorado ICAC is a member of the National ICAC Task Force.
The CPSD has been the ICAC Task Force Lead Agency for more than 20 years and is responsible for performing initial investigations on Cyber tips assigned to the State of Colorado that are received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
The Colorado Springs ICAC Task Force is made up of detectives with the Colorado Springs Police Department, El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, and Special Agents with Homeland Security Investigations. Learn more on their website.
If you suspect a child is being sexually exploited online, you can report it by clicking here or by calling 1-800-THE-LOST.
Notes to the Media
Please refer all questions regarding the initial investigation to the Durango Police Department.
Please refer all employment questions to the correct school district.
Mr. Silverthorn’s mugshot will be released on Twitter when it becomes available.