45-year-old man arrested as result of ICAC investigation

Boulder County, Colo. - On Thursday, November 21, 2024, 45-year-old Miguel Alberto ARANDA was arrested for two counts of sexual exploitation of a child relating to possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The investigation began after the Colorado Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force received information about the suspected CSAM from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). After learning that suspect was likely in the Boulder County area, Colorado ICAC sent the tip to the Boulder County Digital Forensics Lab (BCDFL) for investigation.

The assigned investigator reviewed the contents of the original CyberTip, as well as information provided by various electronic service providers (ESPs) pursuant to court orders. This information led to the issuance of a search warrant for ARANDA’s residence in the 600-block of Quebec Avenue in the City of Longmont, Boulder County, Colorado. Numerous electronic devices were seized during the search warrant service in April 2024. Analysis of seized devices led to the discovery of CSAM evidence, resulting in probable cause to obtain an arrest warrant for ARANDA for possessing CSAM.

The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office houses local members of the Colorado ICAC Task Force, comprised of Boulder County Digital Forensics Lab investigators from the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, Longmont Department of Public Safety, Boulder Police Department, and Boulder County District Attorney’s Office. In addition to other responsibilities, investigators assigned to the Boulder County Digital Forensics Lab are tasked with investigating child sexual exploitation cases and high technology crimes and provide digital forensics expertise and analysis on a wide range of cases.

ARANDA was booked into the Boulder County Jail on an arrest warrant with no bond (until seen by a judicial officer) for 1 count of violating C.R.S. §18-6-403(3)(b.5), Sexual exploitation of a child – possession of a video, a Class 4 Extraordinary Risk Felony and 1 count of violating C.R.S. §18-6-403(3)(b.5), Sexual exploitation of a child – possession of an image, a Class 5 Extraordinary Risk Felony.

Agencies who assisted with this investigation include the: Boulder County Digital Forensics Lab, Longmont Department of Public Safety, Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, Boulder County District Attorney’s Office, and Boulder Police Department.

The associated Boulder County Sheriff’s Office case number for this investigation is 24-01323.

About ICAC:
The Colorado Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force is a group of local and federal law enforcement agencies and prosecutors located in and around the state of Colorado who are trained and dedicated to protecting children online by investigating and prosecuting crimes committed against children, facilitated by the internet, technology, and computer usage. Colorado ICAC is a member of the National ICAC Task Force.

If you suspect a child is being sexually exploited online, you can report it online (link is external) or by calling 1-800-THE-LOST.

As in every criminal case, these charges are merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty.

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/s/Detective Sergeant C. Leak