A former Durango man who took steps toward having sexual relations with an underage girl was sentenced Friday to six years probation and immediately arrested outside the courtroom by U.S. Immigration and Customs.
Timur Urunov, 31, an immigrant from Tajikistan, pleaded guilty to contributing to the delinquency of a minor, a felony.
He was apparently arrested by immigration officials as a result of his felony conviction, but efforts to learn details of the arrest were unsuccessful Friday afternoon: His Durango defense attorney, Ingrid Alt, declined to comment, and a spokesman for ICE was unable to answer questions about Urunov’s residency status, why he was arrested or what happens next for Urunov.
District Attorney Christian Champagne said he was unaware Urunov would be arrested Friday by ICE, and he didn’t know why the arrest occurred. It was clear during plea agreement negotiations, he said, that his attorneys were concerned about Urunov’s immigration status.
As part of his plea agreement, Urunov admitted to committing a sex offense.
Urunov was one of six men arrested and charged in connection with a child sex sting conducted April 25-27 in Durango. Local law enforcement, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, placed provocative ads on Backpage.com.
One advertisement, posted on Backpage.com, was titled, “pretty young blossoms ☺ ☺ ☺ - 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.
The men went to different lengths in carrying out the alleged crimes, with some exchanging money and others getting cold feet and driving away.
Urunov is a Russian speaker who needed the assistance of an interpreter during his court proceedings. Prior to Friday, he was free on $50,000 bail, and living in Denver.
If Urunov is able to maintain residency, he must register as a sex offender, obtain a sex-offender evaluation and comply with any recommendations for treatment.
He declined to make a statement Friday in court before sentencing.
shane@durangoherald.com
