Five Arrested in Mesa County Undercover Internet Predator Operation
A three-day multi-agency operation in early August targeted suspects alleged to have used the internet to solicit underage individuals for sex, leading to five arrests in Mesa County, Colorado.
During the first week of August, the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office, working with Grand Junction, Fruita and Palisade police, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Colorado State Patrol, the 21st Judicial District DA’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations, conducted a three-day undercover operation targeting people who use the internet to solicit minors. Five men were arrested and booked into the Mesa County Detention Facility: Eric Muesch (46) charged with soliciting for commercial sexual activity with a child, sexual assault on a child under 15 and criminal attempt — $100,000 personal recognizance bond; Marlin Alvarez Carcamo (33) charged similarly — $10,000 cash-only bond; Alejandro Vazquez Bonilla (42) charged with internet luring, criminal attempt and sexual assault on a child — $10,000 cash-only bond; Robert Callaway (72) charged with soliciting for commercial sexual activity with a child, sexual assault on a child and criminal attempt — $50,000 cash or surety bond; and Alex Knoll (37) facing multiple counts including internet luring, pandering, human trafficking of a minor and sexual exploitation — $100,000 cash-only bond. Authorities emphasized these arrests serve as a warning that such crimes are not tolerated in Mesa County and noted that charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent.