Whitwater man arrested for sexual exploitation of child in undercover operation

WHITEWATER, Colorado (KJCT) – A man is behind bars after allegedly arranging a meeting with a young girl for sex over the Internet. In fact, the girl turned out to be Mesa County Sheriff's officers conducting an undercover operation.

Richard Lemus, a 56-year-old Whitewater man, was charged with multiple counts of sexual exploitation of a child after his arrest by Mesa County Sheriff's officials.

According to officials, Lemus believed he was chatting online with a 14-year-old girl who was actually an adult police officer working undercover as an investigator for the sheriff's office. He was immediately arrested.

Lemus is accused of the following:

• Luring a child via the Internet with the intention of sexual contact or sexual exploitation
• Sexual exploitation of a child on the Internet
• Criminal attempt
• Sexual abuse of a child

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