Chair of Weld County Republicans among men arrested in connection with Northern Colorado child predator operation
Two men in Northern Colorado, including Weld County Republicans Chair Hunter Rivera, were arrested on Thursday for allegedly trying to buy sex from children.
The Larimer County Sheriff's Office said investigators were conducting an operation targeting child predators by posing as minors selling sexual acts on local websites. The sheriff's office says that, while several dozen people responded to the listings, two men showed up at the location agreed upon to buy sex, where deputies were waiting to arrest them.
Deputies arrested Rivera, who lives in Windsor, and Fort Collins resident Ismaaeel Abdur-Rahmaan and booked them into the Larimer County Jail. Both men are facing charges of soliciting a child prostitute, internet luring of a child, cybercrime-soliciting to arrange a minor prostitute and attempted sexual assault on a child.
"Children are not property to be bought or sold," said Sheriff John Feyen. "Human trafficking is modern day slavery, and we won't tolerate it in Larimer County. I hope this operation sends a strong message. It doesn't matter who you are, if you try to hurt kids in our community, you will be held accountable."
Rivera's profile on the Weld County Republicans website says he has worked for several legislators, including State Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer and State Reps. Mike Lynch and Ryan Armagost.
On Friday night, a statement released by the Colorado House and Senate Republicans called for Rivera's immediate resignation from his position as the Weld County Chair, calling the charges "sickening, horrifying and beyond reprehensible."
They asserted that "there is no defense for anyone who preys on children, no excuses, and no place for that anywhere near public life in our party," adding "there is no room in our party for these types of charges."
The legislators thanked law enforcement for working to protect children and bring predators to justice and said they stand with the victims and their families.
"These are the people we fight for every single day, and crimes against children deserve the strongest possible condemnation and accountability," the statement read.