Last week, local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies conducted a two-day operation in an effort to locate internet child sex predators in and around  Mesa County.

The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with the Grand Junction Police Department, the Palisade Police Department, the Grand County Sheriff's Office of Utah, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Colorado State Patrol, the 21st Judicial District Attorney's Office, and Homeland Security Investigations, conducted a two-day operation targeting suspects who use the internet to solicit underage persons for sex. 

Throughout the two-day operation, ten people were arrested and booked into the Mesa County Detention Facility.

Pablo Cristobal-Apitzagco, age 35, of Rifle, was arrested for Internet Luring of a Child F4 and Attempted Sexual Assault on a Child F5.

Cameron Gallegos-Shawcroft, age 31, of Grand Junction, was arrested for Soliciting for Child Prostitution F3; Pandering of a Child F3; Criminal Attempt to commit Patronizing a Prostituted Child F4; and Attempted Sex Assault on a Child F5.

Kevin Martin, age 68, of Loma, was arrested for Soliciting for Child Prostitution F3 and Attempted Sex Assault on a Child F5.

Anthony Martinez, age 37, of Grand Junction, was arrested for Soliciting for Child Prostitution F3, Pandering of a Child F3, and Criminal Attempt to commit Patronizing a Prostituted Child F4.

Yogesh Patel, age 56, a part-time resident of Grand Junction, was arrested for Soliciting for Child Prostitution F3 and Pandering of a Child F3. 

Andrew Peterson, age 34, of Grand Junction, was arrested and charged with Attempted Sex Assault on a Child F5 and Attempted 2nd-degree Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor.

John Rentie, age 39, of Grand Junction, was arrested for Soliciting for Child Prostitution F3; Pandering of a Child F3; Criminal Attempt to commit Patronizing a Prostituted Child F4, and Attempted Sex Assault on a Child F5.

Russell Sheley, age 39, of Grand Junction, was arrested for Internet Luring of a Child F4 and Attempted Sex Assault on a Child F5.

Matthew Stieb, age 28, of Grand Junction, was arrested for Enticement of a Child F4, Internet Luring of a Child F4, and Attempted Sex Assault on a Child F5.

Kevin Walters, age 34, of Grand Junction, was arrested for Soliciting for Child Prostitution F3, Pandering of a Child F3, and Criminal Attempt to commit Patronizing a Prostituted Child F4.

All Law Enforcement Agencies involved in this operation want these arrests to serve as a warning to those who knowingly and willfully solicit underage persons for sexual acts that these crimes are not tolerated in Mesa County.