MESA COUNTY, CO — Five men were arrested during a three-day, multi-agency undercover operation targeting individuals who use the internet to solicit minors for sex in Mesa County.
During the first week of August, the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office collaborated with the Grand Junction Police Department, Fruita Police Department, Palisade Police Department, Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Colorado State Patrol, 21st Judicial District Attorney’s Office, and Homeland Security Investigations to conduct the targeted sting.
A total of five individuals were arrested, booked into the Mesa County Detention Facility, and face numerous felony charges:
Eric Muesch, 46, of Grand Junction
Muesch was issued a $100,000 personal recognizance bond. He faces the following charges:
- Soliciting for Commercial Sexual Activity with a Child (Felony 3)
- Sexual Assault on a Child / Victim <15 Years / At Least 4 Years Difference in Age (Felony 4)
- Criminal Attempt (Felony 5)
Marlin Alvarez Carcamo, 33, of Aspen
Alvarez Carcamo was issued a $10,000 cash-only bond. He faces the following charges:
- Soliciting for Commercial Sexual Activity with a Child (Felony 3)
- Sexual Assault on a Child / Victim <15 Years / At Least 4 Years Difference in Age (Felony 4)
- Criminal Attempt (Felony 5)
Alejandro Vazquez Bonilla, 42, of Basalt
Vazquez Bonilla was issued a $10,000 cash-only bond. He faces the following charges:
- Internet Luring of a Child / Intent of Sexual Contact / Exploitation (Felony 4)
- Sexual Assault on a Child / Victim <15 Years / At Least 4 Years Difference in Age (Felony 4)
- Criminal Attempt (Felony 5)
Robert Callaway, 72, of Grand Junction
Callaway was issued a $50,000 cash or surety bond. He faces the following charges:
- Soliciting for Commercial Sexual Activity with a Child (Felony 3)
- Sexual Assault on a Child / Victim <15 Years / At Least 4 Years Difference in Age (Felony 4)
- Criminal Attempt (Felony 5)
Alex Knoll, 37, of Grand Junction
Knoll was issued a $100,000 cash-only bond. He faces the following charges:
- Human Trafficking of a Minor (Felony 2)
- Soliciting for Commercial Sexual Activity with a Child (Felony 3)
- Pandering of a Child – Arrange Commercial Sexual Activity with a Child (Felony 3)
- Internet Luring of a Child / Intent of Sexual Contact / Exploitation (Felony 4)
- Sexual Assault – Internet Sexual Exploitation of a Child (Felony 4)
- Sexual Assault on a Child / Victim <15 Years / At Least 4 Years Difference in Age (Felony 4)
- Criminal Attempt (Felony 5)
All law enforcement agencies involved in the operation emphasized that these arrests serve as a strict warning that such crimes will not be tolerated in Mesa County. Authorities note that charges in a criminal case are allegations, and all defendants maintain a presumption of innocence until proven guilty.