In February 2021, a joint Law Enforcement operation conducted in Colorado Springs identified and arrested persons seeking to pay to have sex with children under the age of 18. This undercover investigation and subsequent arrests were made possible through the efforts of the following agencies:
- Colorado Bureau of Investigation
- Colorado Springs Police Department [Human Trafficking Investigations Unit]
- Colorado State Patrol
- District Attorney’s Office [Fourth Judicial District of Colorado]
- US Department of Homeland Security – Investigations
- El Paso County Sheriff’s Office
The investigation resulted in the arrest of six adult males. All six arrestees were transported and booked into the El Paso County Jail. Their booking photos are attached at the conclusion of this press release.
Patrick Martin, 32-years-old, charged with 18-7-402 Soliciting for Child Prostitution (Class Three Felony)
Joseph Dimes, 31-year- old, charged with 18-7-402 Soliciting for Child Prostitution (Class Three Felony)
Nicholas Fernandez, 42-years-old, charged with 18-7-402 Soliciting for Child Prostitution (Class Three Felony)
Nathanael Martens, 27-years-old, charged with 18-7-402 Soliciting for Child Prostitution (Class Three Felony); 18-8-306, Attempt to Influence a Public Servant (Class Four Felony); and 18-2-201 Conspiracy – to commit Robbery (Class Six Felony)
James Harry, 31-years-old, charged with 18-7-402 Soliciting for Child Prostitution (Class Three Felony)
Johnathan Guenther, 67-years-old, charged with 18-2-201 Conspiracy – to commit Robbery (Class Six Felony)
The public release of these arrests was delayed until now due to on-going investigations at the time.
“Law enforcement agencies across Colorado are committed to working together to protect our state’s children from predators. From all of us at the Colorado Springs Police Department, we would like to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to our partner agencies, without whom this operation would not have been possible,” says Colorado Springs Police Department Chief Vince Niski.
"We will continue to aggressively pursue the predators who seek to harm our most vulnerable. Through this collaboration, our local law enforcement agencies have been able to provide fast, proactive, and comprehensive work to counter all threats of abuse and exploitation to children. From all of us at the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, we would like to thank our partners for their unwavering efforts to combat crimes against children." - Sheriff Bill Elder
"We're proud to be a part of such an important operation with our partner agencies to help combat these horrific crimes," said Capt. Bill Barkley, commander of the Smuggling, Trafficking, and Interdiction Section of the Colorado State Patrol. "What many people don't understand is just how young these victims actually are, and how devastating an impact these events will have for the rest of their lives."
“By partnering with state and local law enforcement agencies we effectively target and prosecute child predators making our community safer,” said Steven Cagen, special agent in charge, HSI Denver. “Protecting children is one of our highest priorities and these arrests send a message to those who seek to prey on children, will find you and bring you to justice.”