Boulder County, Colo. - On July 31, 2023, 57-year-old Mitchell James CLUTE was arrested for possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Clute resides in the 800 block of Dewey Avenue in the City of Boulder.

The investigation began after detectives with the Boulder County Digital Forensics Lab (BCDFL) downloaded CSAM from an IP address within Boulder County while conducting proactive investigations. Upon further investigation, it was found the CSAM was downloaded from a device connected to the internet associated with Clute’s residence. A search warrant was executed on May 22, 2023, at Clute’s residence where multiple electronic devices were seized. During later digital forensic analysis of devices belonging to Clute, thousands of files were found in violation of sexual exploitation of a child.

Boulder County Sheriff’s Office houses local members of Colorado ICAC task force, comprised of Boulder County Digital Forensics Lab investigators from 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, plus digital forensics expertise and analysis on a wide range of cases.

Clute was booked into the Boulder County Jail on an arrest warrant with no bond for one count of §18-6-403(3)(b), Sexual exploitation of a child-distribution, a Class 3 Felony, and ten counts of §18-6-403(3)(b.5), Sexual exploitation of a child-possession, five Class 4 Felonies and five Class 5 Felonies.

The associated Boulder County Sheriff’s Office case number is 23-01775.

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

About ICAC:

The Colorado Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), is a group of local and federal law enforcement agencies, as well as 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/Sergeant Jeff Pelletier