Boulder County, Colo. - In January of 2023, following an intensive investigation by the Longmont Police Department, Boulder County Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office, three (3) adults were indicted for providing drugs to public school students in exchange for money and sexual acts. The investigation included the use of records and evidence obtained from social media, bank, and phone companies through the use of judicially-approved search warrants. Through these records and witness interviews, investigators uncovered a wide-ranging drug dealing operation by Mario Moreno, Angelo Torres, and Aldair Garcia Rodriguez. Specifically, these individuals would sell drugs, namely cocaine, MDMA, marijuana and marijuana concentrate, to students attending various public schools throughout the St. Vrain Valley School District. Further investigation revealed that Mario Moreno, Angelo Torres, and Aldair Garcia Rodriguez coerced underage women to perform sexual acts in exchange for drugs.

The District Attorney’s Office presented the case to the Grand Jury. On January 12, 2023, the Grand Jury returned indictments on Moreno, Torres, and Garcia Rodriguez.

Mario Moreno was indicted on fifty-nine (59) charges, including: one count of an indeterminate F4 Sex Assault on a Child; four counts of F2 Human Trafficking of a Minor for Sexual Servitude; three counts of DF1 Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance; one count DM1 Possession of a Controlled Substance; two counts of DF3 Possession of a Controlled Substance with intent to Distribute; twenty-two counts of DF1 Distribution of a Controlled Substance to a Minor; seven counts of M3 Child Abuse; nine counts of F4 Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor; four counts of DF1 Special Offender; two counts of F4 Tampering with a Witness; one count F5 Possession of a Weapon by a Previous Offender; one count F3 Money Laundering; and one count F5 Tax Evasion.

On April 14, 2025, Mario Moreno pled guilty to Possession with Intent to Manufacture or Distribute a Controlled Substance Schedule I/II (DF1) and Human Trafficking of a Minor for Sexual Servitude (F2). The defendant was sentenced to 50 years in the Department of Corrections.

In February of 2024, Aldair Garcia-Rodriguez pled guilty to Human Trafficking of a Minor for Sexual Servitude (F2) and Distribution of a Controlled Substance to a Minor Schedule I/II (DF1) and was sentenced to 35 years in the Department of Corrections.

The case of Angelo Torres is still ongoing and set for a Jury Trial on September 23, 2025.

Deputy District Attorney Alex Zowin stated, “We want to thank the victims and families for their courage and strength, as they have continued to be involved in the prosecution of this case. Their engagement and willingness to participate in the court process has been difficult, but critical to doing justice. We are very grateful to them.”

District Attorney Michael Dougherty stated, “Fifty years in state prison is the appropriate sentence for a man who preyed upon kids. He used drugs to lure kids in and then coerce them into sexual acts. This sentence was made possible by the outstanding team effort that went into this extensive investigation and prosecution. I am grateful to law enforcement and our DA team for fighting for justice for these young victims.”

Longmont Police Sergeant Josh Townsend of the Special Investigations Unit stated, “This sentence reflects the serious harm caused by Mario Moreno and those who exploit vulnerable youth. We’re proud of the dedicated work by our officers, detectives, and partners in the DAs Office who brought this case to justice. The Longmont Police Department remains fully committed to protecting our community and will continue to aggressively pursue those who traffic drugs, engage in human trafficking, and prey on minors.”

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