The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was part of a multi-agency effort to protect our children from predators. Please see the news release from our partners at the Colorado Springs Police Department for the recap of the operation that yielded eight arrests in late October.
On October 23 and 24, 2020, a joint Law Enforcement operation conducted in Colorado Springs identified and arrested persons seeking to pay to have sex with children under the age of 18. This undercover investigation and subsequent arrests were made possible through the efforts of the following agencies:
- Colorado Bureau of Investigation
- Colorado Springs Police Department [Human Trafficking Investigations Unit]
- Colorado State Patrol
- District Attorney’s Office [Fourth Judicial District of Colorado]
- US Department of Homeland Security – Investigations
The investigation resulted in the arrest of eight adult males for 18-7-402 Soliciting for Child Prostitution, a Class Three Felony. All eight arrestees were transported and booked into the El Paso County Jail. Their booking photos are attached at the conclusion of the attached press release.
- 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
“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,” says Colorado Springs Police Department Chief Vince Niski.
"Human Trafficking is one of the most difficult crimes to detect and curtail, but there may be no more important use of our time, skill, and resources,” said CBI Director John Camper. "The CBI was pleased to work with the Colorado Springs Police Department and other public safety partners on this highly successful operation.”
“HSI special agents are proud to work closely with CSPD to target and arrest individuals who prey on children in Colorado Springs,” said Steven Cagen, special agent in charge, HSI Denver. “This operation sends a clear message, if you seek to harm a child, we will work tirelessly to find you and to bring you to justice.”
"It's easy to look away and say 'That's not happening here' but the truth is human trafficking is in our own backyard" said Captain Bill Barkley, commander of the Smuggling, Trafficking, and Interdiction Section of the Colorado State Patrol. "The incredible efforts by all participating agencies has made an impact, but there is still more to be done."
Anyone with information or who is a witness to this investigation is asked to call the Colorado Springs Police Department at (719) 444-7000; or if you wish to remain anonymous, you ma