COLORADO SPRINGS — Eight men accused of soliciting for child prostitution were arrested in October as a result of a joint law enforcement operation, according to the Colorado Springs Police Department.
The men were arrested on Oct. 23 and 24 following the department's undercover investigation into people seeking to pay to have sex with children under 18 years old.
The investigation was a joint effort with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, CSPD's Human Trafficking Investigations Unit, Colorado State Patrol, 4th Judicial District Attorney's Office, and U.S. Department of Homeland Security. "We went into the operation not knowing ultimately what was going to happen, how many people we would end up arresting. But eight is a significant number," said Lt. John Koch of the Colorado Springs Police Department.
Lt. Koch said these arrests serve as a reminder of a large problem in our community. "We know it's going on, but for our community to know, and be alert, and to help us, or the police, find these children and rescue them is huge," said the Executive Director of Sarah's Home, Vicki Proffit.
Sarah's Home is a secure location providing sanctuary for girls ages 12-18 who have survived sex trafficking. They have had their license for eight years, and have been open for five years. Sarah's Home has sheltered 22 girls since they have been open.
"We're a crazy busy world and our children need our attention, and our children need to find their worth in our home, so they don't go looking for it elsewhere," said Proffit.
Those with Sarah's Home want to expand their services. "There are over 300,000 children annually that are being trafficked. And there are less than 600 beds in the nation, and here in El Paso County, we have a home, and most people don't know... We are also trying to raise $300,000 to start a boys home, because there's only one boys home in the United States right now, there's less than 20 beds to help over 138,000 boys that are being trafficked annually," said Jacqueline Staples, a board member of Sarah's Home.
CLICK HERE to learn more about Sarah's Home, or to make a donation.
“Law enforcement agencies across Colorado are committed to working together to protect our state’s children from predators. From all of us at the Colorado Springs Police Department, we would like to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to our partner agencies, without whom this operation would not have been possible,” said Colorado Springs Police Department Chief Vince Niski in a release.
The men who were arrested have been booked into the El Paso County Jail:
- Steven Druckenmiller, 40-years-old, of Colorado Springs
- Richard Nance, 32-years-old, of Pueblo
- Daric Grimes, 42-years-old, of Security, Colorado
- Trevor Skoczen, 31-years-old, of Colorado Springs [also arrested for Internet Luring of a Child, F4]
- Kirtis Davis, 23-years-old, of Colorado Springs
- Ning Wang, 45-years-old, of Oakland, California
- Hong Lin, 32-years-old, of Colorado Springs
- Mark Necessary, 58-years-old, of Colorado Springs
"That's part of the reason that we went public with the names and the operation, is to tell people that if you recognize any of the people that we've arrested, if you have concerns, if you have information, something that you think law enforcement should know, please by all means, contact CSPD," said Lt. Koch.
Anyone with information or is a witness to this investigation is asked to call the department at (719) 444-7000. If you would like to remain anonymous, you can call the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at (719) 634-7867.
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