Authorities in Colorado have arrested a 68-year-old airline pilot after an online child predator operation that started last month.
The Aurora Police Department did not name the airline that employs Ralph Edward Bledsoe, an American citizen who lives in the town of Florissant, about 70 miles from Aurora, where he was arrested on April 8.
Bledsoe has been charged with internet luring o a child, internet sexual exploitation of a child, and attempted sex assault of a child.
Detectives believe he has had sexual encounters with children in Denver, Pennsylvania, and Phoenix and was returning from Canada for what he thought was a meeting with a minor at an Aurora hotel. Investigators said they recovered “several gifts” Bledsoe sent to Aurora ahead of the planned meeting for sex, 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 Aurora Police Lt. Seth Robertson. “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 did not provide any details about the sting operation, including how the suspects contacted the supposed minors to solicit sex.
Police ask anyone with information about Bledsoe or a second man they arrested earlier this month as part of the same sting operation — 39-year-old Gregory Thomas Daniels of Aurora — 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.
