(April 10, 2025) – The Aurora Police Department Internet Crimes Against Children Unit last month participated in a multi-agency online child predator operation that resulted in the arrests of two suspects in Aurora, including an airline pilot who investigators suspect could have victimized minors throughout the country.
Ralph Edward Bledsoe, 68, of Florissant, was arrested Tuesday by members of the Aurora Police Department District 2 Police Area Representatives after he arrived at an Aurora hotel for what he thought was a planned meeting to engage in a sexual encounter with a minor. Bledsoe was booked into the Aurora Municipal Detention Center on charges of internet luring of a child, internet sexual exploitation of a child and attempted sex assault of a child.
Bledsoe does not have a prior criminal history, however during the investigation, detectives learned that Bledsoe may have had sexual relationships with minors in the past in Denver, Pennsylvania and Phoenix. Bledsoe is an airline pilot and investigators have developed information he flew to Colorado from Canada for the meeting. Investigators also recovered several gifts Bledsoe sent ahead of the meeting, including lingerie and sex toys.
“Bledsoe being an airline pilot and the possibility of previous sexual relationships with underaged victims raises significant concerns about the potential of there being victims throughout the country,” said Seth Robertson, lieutenant of the Aurora Police Department Special Victims Section. “His arrest does not mean this investigation is over. 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.”
Investigators are interested in speaking with anyone who might have knowledge of Bledsoe’s travels, illegal activity or who might have information about possible sexual assault victims in other cities. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867). Tipsters can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.
Also arrested during the operation was Gregory Thomas Daniels, 39, of Aurora. He was arrested last Wednesday, April 2, after he too traveled to an Aurora location for what he thought was a planned meeting to engage in a sexual encounter with a minor. Daniels was arrested by members of the Aurora Police Department Direct Action Response Team and booked into the Aurora Municipal Detention Center on charges of internet luring of a child and attempted sex assault of a child.
The joint operation involved resources from the Aurora Police Department, Longmont Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, the Boulder County Computer Forensics Lab and the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office. The operation was designed to identify and arrest predators who use the internet to prowl for child victims to engage in sexual activity and exploitation.
“As a police officer and father, I am appalled by these disgusting crimes that target children within our community,” said Mark Hildebrand, chief of the Aurora Police Department Investigations Division. “It is the truest representation of evil. It is impressive to see so many law enforcement agencies come together for such an important cause to protect our youngest and most vulnerable. I am very proud of our ICAC Unit’s contribution and hard work in this endeavor.”
The Aurora Police Department Internet Crimes Against Children Unit is partnered with Homeland Security Investigations, the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation as part of the Colorado Cyber Guardian Task Force. The Colorado Cyber Guardian Task Force is comprised local, state and federal law enforcement agencies in the Denver-Metro area focusing on child exploitation and child sex trafficking investigations.
Both investigations are active and ongoing. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867). Tipsters can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.
Joe Moylan
Public Information Officer
720.432.5095
AP25-60145
AP25-60556