Authorities suspect that a Colorado school resource officer, recently charged with sexual exploitation of a child, may have left behind additional victims over the last two decades.
Aaron “Jake” Bunch, 47, was taken into custody on October 8, facing three charges of sexual exploitation of a child, according to a report by KCNC. At the time of his arrest, Bunch held the position of school resource sergeant and supervisor within the Aurora Police Department.
While KCNC referred to him as a “former” school resource officer, KKTV reported that he was placed on unpaid leave pending an internal administrative investigation by the department.
According to an arrest warrant, Bunch allegedly used the messaging app Kik to distribute videos involving child sexual abuse, as reported by KUSA. He is accused of sending one such video to an individual in the United Kingdom who was already under investigation. The document also suggests Bunch is suspected of grooming and soliciting minors.
“The allegations against this individual are disturbing and completely contrary to the values and mission of this department,” stated Aurora Police Chief Matt Chamberlain at the time of Bunch’s arrest, as reported by KCNC. “This person has brought shame and disgrace to the badge and to an honorable profession. Such behavior undermines the trust and legitimacy that our officers work hard to earn every single day.”
The Aurora Police Department has stated that, as of now, there is no evidence that students within Aurora Public Schools, the Cherry Creek School District, or the wider Aurora Community were affected or victimized by Bunch’s actions.
But the FBI said on Wednesday that it believes Bunch “might have sought out minor victims while serving in a position of trust” since he joined the police department as a school resource officer in 2005.
Aurora police declined to say if their initial statement that local students were not involved had changed, referring questions to the FBI, which has set up a link for victims and witnesses to provide information at https://forms.fbi.gov/victims/AaronBunchVictims/.
Bunch paid a $50,000 bond and left jail on October 17. He is due back in court on November 5.
