Child sex trafficking is among the most heinous crimes imaginable and most often pictured as happening far away, somewhere overseas, which is why the arrest of three men for these crimes out of Grand Junction is particularly disturbing. According to the Grand Junction Police Department, multiple agencies including the FBI took part of the 11th annual ‘Operation Cross Country’ that targets criminals responsible for the sex trafficking of children. The effort in the region resulted in three arrests. 49-year-old William Stephenson and 28-year-old Steele Stevens, both of Grand Junction, and 32-year-old Charles Verquer of Delta were arrested for Soliciting for Child Prostitution and Internet Luring of a Child, as well as Attempted Sexual Assault. Verquer was also charged with Patronizing a Prostituted Child, Sexual Assault on a Child, Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor and Resisting Arrest. Verquer and Stevens were released on a $25,000 dollar bond while Stephenson remains in custody on a $25,000 dollar bond. Speaking of ‘Operation Cross Country’ on a national level, FBI Director Christopher Wray says, “Unfortunately, the number of traffickers arrested – and the number of children recovered – reinforces why we need to continue to do this important work.”
