Aurora police arrested two men who allegedly tried to meet with children for sex this month, including an airline pilot who they say may have underaged victims in Denver, Pennsylvania and Phoenix.
Ralph Edward Bledsoe, 68, of Florissant was arrested Tuesday after traveling from Canada to an Aurora hotel where he planned to have sexual contact with a minor, police wrote in a social media post.
Bledsoe allegedly sent gifts that included lingerie and sex toys ahead of the meeting.
He has been charged with internet luring of a child and internet sexual exploitation of a child, according to court records, though Lt. Seth Robertson said in the post that police are still investigating whether Bledsoe’s job allowed him to abuse minors in other jurisdictions before he was caught.
“His arrest does not mean this investigation is over,” Robertson said. “Our detectives are working diligently with local, state and federal partners throughout the country to try to identify additional victims and to ensure they receive the justice they deserve.”
Gregory Thomas Daniels, 39, of Aurora was also arrested April 2 after arranging to meet and have sexual contact with a child. He has been charged with internet luring of a child and resisting arrest.
Both men were being held at the Arapahoe County Detention Facility as of Saturday.
Aurora police conducted the sting operation with the help of the Department of Homeland Security, Boulder County District Attorney’s Office and Colorado Bureau of Investigation.
Anyone with information about Bledsoe’s travels or crimes committed by either man is encouraged to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers online or at 720-913-7867.
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