A New Mexico man pleaded guilty Monday in federal court to traveling to Durango with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor, a felony.
Jason Yazzie Chee, 40, faces as little as probation or up to 30 years in federal prison after signing a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Durango.
The wide-ranging sentencing possibility with an upper cap of 30 years is significantly more harsh than several other plea agreements struck with men facing similar charges in a state court.
Chee was charged in federal court because he traveled across state line to have sex with a minor. But it was all part of an internet sting conducted by local law enforcement and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Six men have been charged in connection with the sex sting. 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 men went to varying lengths to carry out the alleged crimes, with some exchanging money and others getting cold feet and driving away.
At least four men have pleaded guilty in a state court, and most are facing 10 years of supervised probation that requires them to register as sex offenders.
Chee, who remains in jail, is set for sentencing April 10 before Judge Robert E. Blackburn.
shane@durangoherald.com
