Proactive investigation led to discovery of exploitative material

Boulder County, Colo. - On December 14, 2024, 37-year-old Joseph Robert ALEXANDER was arrested for four counts of sexual exploitation of a child relating to possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The investigation began as the result of a proactive Peer to Peer (P2P) initiative being conducted by investigators at the Boulder County Digital Forensics Lab (BCDFL). Peer to Peer (P2P) file sharing allows people using special software to download and share files with other users around the world via the internet.

In May of 2024, BCDFL investigators learned that an IP address associated with a residence in the 800 block of Crisman Drive in Longmont, CO had shared over 2,000 files of suspected CSAM with two different undercover investigators in both Colorado and Arizona. Investigators with the BCDFL ultimately served a search warrant at the suspect’s residence in Longmont on July 10, 2024 and seized numerous electronic devices. Detailed forensic analysis of the seized devices, which is a lengthy process, led to the discovery of P2P software and CSAM videos and photos. This resulted in probable cause to obtain an arrest warrant for ALEXANDER 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.

ALEXANDER was booked into the Boulder County Jail on an arrest warrant with no bond (until seen by a judicial officer) for 2 counts 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 2 counts 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, Boulder Police Department, and Weld County Sheriff’s Office.

The associated Boulder County Sheriff’s Office case number for this investigation is 24-02581.

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 Clay Leak