Aurora police, in collaboration with federal agents, have arrested a Denver man accused of serious crimes involving a minor.
John Vincent Custer, 48, faces charges related to child sexual assault and child enticement, stemming from an investigation launched earlier this year.
Investigation into Online Communication
The Aurora Police Department began investigating Custer in August after receiving a tip about concerning online activity.
According to police, Custer used a messaging app to communicate with a 14-year-old victim.
Investigators discovered that these interactions led to two separate in-person meetings at the victim's home.
The Internet Crimes Against Children Unit worked swiftly to confirm the tip and gather evidence of a pattern of abuse.
This evidence formed the basis of the charges filed against Custer.
Suspect Arrest and Charges
Custer was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service on two felony charges: child sexual assault with a pattern of abuse and child enticement.
Both charges carry severe penalties, highlighting the serious nature of the case.
After being taken into custody, Custer was booked into Denver County Jail.
However, he was released shortly after posting a $50,000 bond, raising concerns among community members about the safety of others.
Ongoing Investigation and Community Support
This case is part of the ongoing work by the Colorado Cyber Guardian Task Force, a group of law enforcement agencies tackling child exploitation.
The task force combines efforts at the local, state, and federal levels to combat these types of crimes.
Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.
Tips can be submitted anonymously through Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP (7867), with the possibility of earning a reward of up to $2,000 for useful information.
