News Release: Eighteen suspects responsible for organized and violent criminal activity throughout the state were recently arrested as part of a two-phase, multi-jurisdictional operation led by the Regional Anti-Violence Enforcement Network. The 13-month investigation targeted 20 members of a local criminal organization responsible for more than 20 criminal episodes affecting 13 jurisdictions, including the cities of Aurora, Bennett, Commerce City, Denver, Frederick, Firestone, Greeley and Parker, as well as Adams, Arapahoe, Denver, Douglas and Weld counties. Investigators obtained 67 search warrants and seized 31 firearms during the investigation. Arrest warrants were obtained for 18 suspects, including 14 adults and four minors, on a total of 185 criminal charges, including 166 felonies and 19 misdemeanors. All 18 suspects are in custody and charged in Denver District Court. “This investigation demonstrates what can be accomplished when law enforcement agencies work together to hold violent offenders accountable and disrupt criminal networks operating across our communities,” said Deputy Chief Mark Hildebrand, who oversees the Aurora Police Department’s Investigations Division, which includes the RAVEN Task Force. “Over 13 months, this regional effort resulted in 18 arrests, 166 felony charges and the seizure of 31 firearms, addressing serious crimes that affected 13 jurisdictions across the Denver metro area and northern Colorado. “These results reflect the commitment of our partner agencies to protecting our communities and ensuring those responsible for violent crime are held accountable for their actions and widespread victimization.” The investigation was led by two task force officers from the Aurora Police Department and the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office. The suspects were arrested during two multi-jurisdictional operations on Sept. 15 and Oct. 7. The first take down operation targeted 12 suspects and all were taken into custody. The second take down operation targeted the remaining six suspects, five of whom were arrested that day. The final suspect was taken into custody days later. The suspects were arrested in Aurora, Bennett, Commerce City, Denver, Greeley and Wichita, Kan. RAVEN agencies and other law enforcement partners that contributed resources or assisted with the operations include SWAT Teams from the Aurora, Commerce City, Brighton, Denver, Englewood, Greeley and the Littleton police departments, SWAT Teams from the Arapahoe County and Douglas County sheriff’s offices, the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Response Team, the Denver District Attorney’s Office, Kansas Highway Patrol, ATF and the U.S. Marshals Service. “RAVEN’s success demonstrates the strength of collaboration among law enforcement agencies and our shared commitment to keeping communities safe,” said Arapahoe County Sheriff Tyler S. Brown. “By combining investigative expertise, resources and coordinated efforts across jurisdictions, our partner agencies helped disrupt this alleged criminal network. “This regional partnership sends a clear message that those charged with violent and organized criminal activity will be pursued across jurisdictional boundaries, while reinforcing our commitment to protecting residents and holding individuals accountable through the justice system.” The adult suspects arrested during the investigation are: Brandon McAfee, 48, faces 11 charges, including unlawfully providing a handgun to a minor, unlawful possession of a large-capacity magazine, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, child abuse, failing to properly secure a firearm and possession of a dangerous weapon. Daniel Lopez, 20, faces 16 charges, including violating the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act, aggravated robbery, conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery, first-degree assault, conspiracy to commit first-degree assault, menacing, attempted first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, attempted first-degree assault and conspiracy to commit first-degree assault. Diego Rodriguez-Balderrama, 18, faces 26 charges, including violating the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act, attempted first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, attempted first-degree assault, conspiracy to commit first-degree assault, menacing, first-degree assault, aggravated robbery, unlawful possession of a large-capacity magazine, criminal mischief, reckless endangerment and illegal discharge of a firearm. Gina Bramlett, 59, faces two charges, including accessory to a crime and attempting to influence a public servant. Griselda Muniz, 38, faces four charges, including unlawful possession of a dangerous weapon, unlawfully providing a handgun to a minor, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and child abuse. Nicole Garcia, 47, faces 11 charges, including unlawfully providing a handgun to a minor, unlawful possession of a large-capacity magazine, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, child abuse, failing to properly secure a firearm and possession of a dangerous weapon. Oscar Aguilar-Rea, 18, faces 14 charges, including attempted first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, attempted first-degree assault, conspiracy to commit first-degree assault, menacing and illegal discharge of a firearm. Guadalupe Lopez, 19, faces 13 charges, including attempted first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, attempted first-degree assault, conspiracy to commit first-degree assault, menacing, first-degree assault, illegal discharge of a firearm and possession of a dangerous weapon. Armando Valdez, 23, faces nine charges, including violating the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act, attempted first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, attempted first-degree assault, conspiracy to commit first-degree assault and menacing. Christian Mayfield, 21, faces five charges, including aggravated robbery, conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery, first-degree assault, conspiracy to commit first-degree assault and menacing. Christopher Smith, 21, faces five charges, including aggravated robbery, conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery, first-degree assault, conspiracy to commit first-degree assault and menacing. Lakeno Conde-Smith, 18, faces eight charges, including violating the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act, attempted first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, attempted first-degree assault, conspiracy to commit first-degree assault, menacing, criminal mischief and reckless endangerment. Tom Cruz-Monfil, 21, faces 11 charges, including violating the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act, aggravated robbery, conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery, first-degree assault, conspiracy to commit first-degree assault, menacing, attempted first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and attempted first-degree assault. Devyn Roman, 22, faces 10 charges, including violating the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act, menacing, first-degree assault, first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, attempted first-degree assault and conspiracy to commit first-degree assault. The juvenile suspects arrested during the investigation include the following. They are not being identified because they are minors. A 16-year-old male who faces 18 charges, including violating the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act, aggravated robbery, conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery, first-degree assault, conspiracy to commit first-degree assault, menacing, attempted first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, attempted first-degree assault, theft and unlawful possession of a handgun by a minor. A 17-year-old male who faces 12 charges, including violating the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act, attempted first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, attempted first-degree assault, conspiracy to commit first-degree assault, menacing, possession of a handgun by a minor, possession of a dangerous weapon, unlawful possession of a large-capacity magazine and unlawfully providing a handgun to a minor. A 17-year-old male who faces 10 charges, including violating the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act, attempted first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, attempted first-degree assault, conspiracy to commit first-degree assault, first-degree assault, illegal discharge of a firearm and possession of a dangerous weapon. A 17-year-old male who faces 10 charges, including attempted first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, attempted first-degree assault, conspiracy to commit first-degree assault, illegal discharge of a firearm, possession of a dangerous weapon and unlawful possession of a large-capacity magazine. The investigation is active and ongoing. Anyone with any additional information about criminal activity involving the above suspects is asked to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867). Tipsters can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000. About the Regional Anti-Violence Enforcement Network The Regional Anti-Violence Enforcement Network, also known as RAVEN, is a regional task force composed of law enforcement partners from the Aurora, Denver, Arvada, Thornton and Lakewood police departments, the Arapahoe County, Adams County, Douglas County and Jefferson County sheriff’s offices, the Adams, Arapahoe, Denver and Douglas district attorney’s offices, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and the Colorado Department of Corrections, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations, Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area and the Colorado U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Aurora Human Trafficking Unit Nets 28 Arrests, 29 Recoveries in Year 1 It’s been one year since the Aurora Police Department’s Human Trafficking Unit was established and already it has proved itself to be a force multiplier in the agency’s mission to reduce victimization and stop exploitative behavior. In its first 12 months of operations, the Human Trafficking Unit launched 53 investigations, arrested 28 suspects and recovered 29 survivors of human trafficking activity, 15 of which were minors. The Human Trafficking Unit has recently grown to three detectives with a supervising sergeant. “When we set out to create a dedicated human trafficking unit, our mission was clear: put survivors at the center of our investigations while taking a targeted approach to identifying and holding traffickers accountable,” said Investigations Bureau Cmdr. Marc Paolino. “In its first year, this small, highly focused team has made a significant impact, particularly in protecting vulnerable victims and disrupting the sexual exploitation of minors. “The work they’ve done has made our community safer and sent a clear message that the Aurora Police Department will aggressively pursue anyone who exploits others for this type of heinous, criminal activity.” Among the 28 suspects arrested is Marshae Wheelock, 24, of Aurora, who is tied to numerous human trafficking and sexual exploitation cases over several years involving multiple child victims. Wheelock currently has three active court cases in Arapahoe and Adams district courts. In Arapahoe District Court, Wheelock is charged with trafficking a minor for sexual servitude, pimping a child, pimping, pandering prostitution and engaging in human trafficking for sexual servitude. Wheelock recently accepted a plea deal with the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office and is scheduled to appear Nov. 6 in court for sentencing where he faces eight to 16 years in prison. Wheelock has two active cases in Adams District Court. In one, he faces similar charges of trafficking a minor for sexual servitude, pimping a child and pimping. Wheelock also has agreed to a plea deal with the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. He is scheduled to appear Nov. 10 in court for sentencing where he faces 10 years in prison. Wheelock is charged with victim intimidation in his second Adams District Court case; crimes investigators determined he orchestrated from jail. Wheelock also accepted a plea deal in this case and faces two to six years in prison. “Marshae Wheelock represents the type of offender the Human Trafficking Unit was created to investigate; someone who repeatedly preys on vulnerable children,” said Deputy Chief Mark Hildebrand, who oversees the Aurora Police Department Investigations Division. “I’m proud of the work our investigators did to identify this pattern of exploitation and build these cases to ensure he cannot victimize another child in our community.” In another case, Human Trafficking Unit investigators engaged in February in an undercover operation involving a 16-year-old girl. Investigators recovered the teenager and later identified three suspects involved in the sexual exploitation of the 16-year-old for financial gain. Investigators arrested Aja Abney, 20, of Centennial, Dasjuan Goode, 38, of Aurora, and Damara Hester, 32, of Denver. All three face charges in Adams District Court. Abney, who is free on $30,000 bond, faces charges of trafficking a minor for sexual servitude, pandering a child and attempted pimping of a child. Goode, who is in custody on $75,000 bond, faces charges of trafficking a minor for sexual servitude and pimping a child. Hester, who is free on $20,000 bond, faces charges of pimping. All three cases are early in the court process. The Aurora Police Department is one of a few agencies in Colorado to create a dedicated Human Trafficking Unit. Established in September 2025, the Human Trafficking Unit is partnered with the agency’s Internet Crimes Against Children Unit to leverage already-established local, state and federal partnerships and investigative resources through the Colorado Cyber Guardian Task Force. The investigations are active and ongoing. Anyone with any information about the above suspects or other victims not yet known to law enforcement is asked to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867). Tipsters can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.

News Release: Aurora Police Internet Luring Operation Nets 13 Arrests for Child Sex Crimes. The Aurora Police Department Special Victims Section recently led a multi-agency internet luring and human trafficking operation targeting child sexual offenders, which ended with 13 arrests. The operation, named Stopping Adults From Exploiting (SAFE) Kids, was motivated in part by the passage of Colorado Senate Bill 26-15, which elevated internet luring of a child for commercial sexual activity to a Class 3 felony from a Class 5 felony. The new law also established mandatory minimum prison sentences of 4-12 years in alignment with similar offenses, such as pimping, procuring and pandering a child. Among the 13 suspects arrested, two were already registered sex offenders, seven brought sexual devices, one brought ketamine, another brought vodka and one brought a firearm. The average age of the suspects was 39 years old, with the oldest being 65 and the youngest 21. “In today’s online world, offenders who seek to sexually exploit children can do so behind closed doors and out of public view, which is why proactive police work is so important in exposing these crimes,” said Lt. Seth Robertson, who oversees the Aurora Police Department’s Special Victims Section. “The people we encountered during this operation knew exactly what they were doing; some arrived with sexual devices, drugs or alcohol they intended to provide to or use with someone they believed to be a minor. “Without proactive investigations like this, much of this criminal activity would remain hidden from the public and, more importantly, these individuals could have gone on to victimize a child.” Planning for Operation SAFE Kids began in May when detectives identified websites where child internet luring and human trafficking activity is taking place. When the operation began in mid-August, detectives used undercover, minor-aged personas to engage with suspects online. Among those 13 arrested suspects, four initially stopped chatting with the undercover personas online once they learned they were underage, only to later re-engage in conversations on their own. “Several suspects traveled from communities across the Denver metro area and many arrived with the exact amount of cash discussed for sexual services, despite being told they were communicating with someone underage,” said Investigations Bureau Cmdr. Marc Paolino. “Their actions, including the time and effort they took to arrange and pursue these encounters, demonstrate the seriousness of their intent.” The 13 suspects arrested during Operation SAFE Kids include: ➡️ Jeffrey Lutsk, 65, of Aurora, was arrested July 17 on felony charges of internet luring of a child, internet sexual exploitation of a child and attempted sexual assault of a child. He is in custody on $50,000 bond at the Arapahoe County Jail. ➡️ Frank Herman, 21, of Arvada, was arrested Aug. 20 on felony charges of attempted sexual assault of a child, internet luring of a child, sexual exploitation of children, patronizing a prostituted child and solicitation of child prostitution. He is free on $25,000 bond. ➡️ Kristopher Dominguez, 29, of Denver, was arrested Aug. 20 on felony charges of attempted sexual assault of a child, internet luring of a child, sexual exploitation of children, patronizing a prostituted child and solicitation of child prostitution. He is free on $50,000 bond. ➡️ Thomas Wohlman, 58, of Denver, was arrested Aug. 27 on felony charges of habitual sexual offender of a child, attempted engaging in commercial sexual activity with a child and solicitation of child prostitution. He is free on $75,000 bond. ➡️ Jonathan Kranich, 41, of Centennial, was arrested Aug. 27 on felony charges of attempted sexual assault of a child, internet luring of a child, patronizing a prostituted child and soliciting for commercial sexual activity with a child. He is free on $75,000 bond. ➡️ Jesus Cedillo, 45, of Aurora, was arrested Aug. 27 on felony charges of soliciting for commercial sexual activity with a child, patronizing a prostituted child and attempted engaging in commercial sexual activity with a child. He is in custody on $25,000 bond at the Arapahoe County Jail. ➡️ Samuel Wahlgren, 32, of Denver, was arrested Aug. 27 on felony charges of attempted engaging in commercial sexual activity with a child, patronizing a prostituted child and solicitation of child prostitution. He is free on $30,000 bond. ➡️ Danny Davis, 62, was arrested Aug. 28 on felony charges of internet luring of a child, soliciting for commercial sexual activity with a child and attempted engaging in commercial sexual activity with a child. He is free on $25,000 bond. ➡️ Devar Lewis, 27, of Aurora, was arrested Aug. 28 on felony charges of internet luring of a child, patronizing a prostituted child and attempted solicitation for commercial sexual activity with a child. He is in custody on $50,000 bond in the Arapahoe County Jail. ➡️ Joshua Tarver, 36, was arrested Aug. 28 on felony charges of patronizing a prostituted child and attempted solicitation for commercial sexual activity with a child. He is free on $25,000 bond. ➡️ Hikmat Hikmat, 23, of Castle Pines, was arrested Aug. 28 on felony charges of attempted sexual assault of a child, patronizing a prostituted child and solicitation for commercial sexual activity with a child. He is free on $25,000 bond. ➡️ Robert Titus, 37, of Aurora, was arrested Aug. 29 on felony charges of internet luring of a child, attempted sexual assault of a child and internet sexual exploitation of a child. He is in custody on $75,000 bond at the Arapahoe County Jail. ➡️ Fermin Rivera-Garcia, 33, was arrested Aug. 29 on felony charges of solicitation for commercial sexual activity with a child and patronizing a prostituted child. He is free on $25,000 bond. Operation SAFE Kids was a multi-agency effort featuring resources from the Aurora Police Department’s Special Victims Section, which is composed of the Sex Crimes, Special Victims, Crimes Against Children, Internet Crimes Against Children, Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking units. Several local, state and federal partner agencies also participated in the operation, including the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office, the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, FBI and Homeland Security Investigations. The investigations are active and ongoing, and detectives are interested in speaking with anyone who might have information about additional criminal activity involving the 13 suspects. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867). Tipsters can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.