News Flash

Durango, CO: Four men were arrested in Durango last week through an undercover child predator operation that focused on identifying and arresting individuals seeking to engage in sexual activities with minors.   

 The operation was a partnership between the Durango Police Department, Colorado Bureau of Investigation, and the La Plata County Sheriff’s Office.

During the operation, law enforcement officers posted generic advertisements to various electronic platforms. Suspects responded to the advertisements and engaged in sexually explicit conversations with undercover law enforcement officers. Officers established the adult subjects were interested in engaging in sexual activity with minors ranging in age from 12-14 years old.  The undercover law enforcement officers then arranged face-to-face meetings during which they confirmed the suspect’s intent to commit sexual acts with minors and arrested the suspects for various offenses.   

The operation resulted in the arrests of the following individuals: 

• Connor Elliot (35-year-old male) Enticement of a Child, Internet Luring of a Child.
• Anthony Martinez (34-year-old male) Internet Luring of a Child, Enticement of a Child, Driving with Revoked Driver’s License.
• Dustin Ryan (33-year-old male) Soliciting for Child Prostitution (attempted). 
• Kenjok Tenzing Bhotia (31-year-old male) Human Trafficking of a Minor for Sexual Servitude (attempted), Soliciting for Child Prostitution (Attempted) Criminal Attempt.

To avoid these types of encounters, the Durango Police Department would like to remind the community to be cautious of who they allow their children to spend time alone with or interact with electronically. If you are worried a child was a victim of sexual abuse, please call Dispatch at (970) 385-2900 to contact a Durango police officer.

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Media Contact
Sgt. Chris Thomson 
Durango Police Department 
Phone: (970) 375-4738
Email: chris.tomsom@duragnogov.org

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