A Farmington man pleaded guilty Thursday to attempted Internet luring of a child in connection with a child sex sting conducted by law enforcement earlier this year in Durango.
Harold Marshall, 45, faces up to 10 years probation and must register as a sex offender after signing a plea agreement with the 6th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
Marshall is one of seven men arrested on suspicion of attempted solicitation of a child. The men responded to ads posted April 25-27 on Internet sites such as Craigslist.com and Backpage.com. Once lured in, the men were offered sex with children in exchange for money.
The sting was conducted as part of a joint investigation between local law enforcement and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
One advertisement, posted on Backpage.com, was titled, “pretty young blossoms (3 smiley faces) - 19.”
“Hey guys! Krissy here!!! Looking for very open minded no b.s. gentlemen for some fun in Durango!!!! We know how to please!!!! Text for details,” the ad reads.
Once callers responded by text message, undercover agents offered to let the men have sex with one or two girls, ages 11 and 14. Agents arranged a time and place to meet, and the men showed up believing they were going to have sex with a minor in exchange for money, according to the affidavits.
The men went to various degrees in carrying out the alleged crimes, with some exchanging money and others getting cold feet and driving away.
According to an arrest affidavit, Marshall showed up at Best Western Durango Inn & Suites, 21382 US Highway 160, after exchanging several text messages about payment for sexual acts with girls. He interacted with an undercover agent before driving away. The La Plata County Sheriff’s Office made a traffic stop and arrested him a short time later.
Sentencing is set for 9 a.m. Jan. 5 before District Judge Jeffrey Wilson.
Other men arrested include: Rory Schmier, 47, of La Plata County; Jason Yazzie Chee, 39, of Bloomfield; Harold Marshall, 45, of Farmington; Christopher Gerard Rindfleisch, 21, of Maryland; and Timur Urunov, 31, formerly of Durango.
A seventh man was arrested in connection with the sting, but no formal charges were filed.
shane@durangoherald.com
