Teenager arrested for sexual exploitation of children

ARAPAHOE COUNTY, Colorado – A teenager accused of harassing and blackmailing underage victims on Snapchat was arrested Wednesday, the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office said.

John Farnsworth Van Der Bosch, 18, was arrested on suspicion of:

• Seven cases of sexual exploitation of a child
• Serious criminal extortion
• Severe animal cruelty

According to the sheriff’s office, investigators found that Van Der Bosch was sexually exploiting children and was in possession of materials depicting child sexual abuse.

He was taken to the Arapahoe County Detention Center on $100,000 bail.

Investigators believe there are additional victims who have been harassed, extorted or exploited. Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at 720-874-8477.

Anyone with information can also call Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867 or visit metrodenvercrimestoppers.com. Tipsters can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.

Metro Denver Crime Stoppers works by assigning a code to people who submit a tip anonymously. The information is shared with law enforcement and Crime Stoppers is notified once the investigation is complete.

A rewards committee then reviews the information provided and if the information leads to an arrest, the informant is notified. Rewards can be collected using the code numbers received when the tip was originally submitted.

> For more information about Metro Denver Crime Stoppers, click here.

> Find more Crime Stoppers bulletins here.

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