Man arrested in undercover operation, sentenced to prison for child solicitation

LARIMER COUNTY, Colo. – A man arrested during a two-day sting operation in Larimer County has been sentenced to five years in prison for soliciting a child.

The Larimer County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) conducted a child prostitution operation in June 2023.

The men asked investigators for sex via online forums, posing as underage sex workers. When the men arrived at an agreed location, they were met by law enforcement officers, the sheriff's office said at the time.

Luis Son Gonon was one of five men arrested during the operation. According to LCSO, he thought he was contacting a 14-year-old girl for sex, but ended up chatting with investigators instead. He was arrested for solicitation of a child, attempted patronization of a child, cybercrime – solicitation/procurement of a minor and attempted sexual assault of a child.

Son Gonon pleaded not guilty and his case went to trial in July 2024. He was found guilty of solicitation of a child, according to the sheriff's office.

According to LCSO, both the district attorney's office and Son Gonon's defense team requested during his hearing that he be sentenced to intensive supervised sex offender probation. The judge sentenced Son Gonon to five years in prison.

“We will not tolerate child abusers in Larimer County. This heinous crime ruins lives and targets our most vulnerable community members. I greatly appreciate the efforts of our investigative team. If this man had not contacted undercover officers, he could have easily sexually abused a child,” Larimer County Sheriff John Feyen said in a statement. “I am disappointed that some thought the best solution to protect our children was probation; However, I want to thank Judge McDonald for removing this man from our community and working to protect innocent children from future harm.”

The sheriff's office said legal proceedings against the other four people arrested are ongoing.