Latest news with #JulianGunther
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Former New Mexico teacher charged with sexual communication with a minor
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – The Albuquerque Police Department arrested a charter school teacher accused of sexual communication with a minor. Investigators say 27-year-old Julian Gunther was a teacher at Rio Grande Academy of Fine Arts, but his contract was not renewed in May. Story continues below Trending: Poll: What is the strangest town name in New Mexico? Investigation: Defunded DA hangs onto control of office for now News: VIDEO: Albuquerque police identify suspect in downtown shooting According to the arrest warrant, an officer with the Santa Fe Police Department posed as a 12-year-old girl and responded to Gunther after he posted online that he was looking for a 'friend with benefits.' The warrant shows the graphic conversation where the undercover officer claimed to be 12-years-old. Police say the conversation quickly turned sexual and involved explicit photos. Gunther faces 14 charges, including sexual communication with a minor. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Albuquerque police: Child exploitation sting was a success
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – After a string of Albuquerque teachers were arrested for crimes against children, concerns are heightened about who is in the classroom. Albuquerque police are reassuring the public, these cases are a priority. 'You know when a teacher who is a trusted adult for kids makes one of these violations, it rings really loud,' said Commander Kyle Hartsock, Albuquerque Police Department. Story continues below Crime: Albuquerque police: Child exploitation sting was a success Trending: Poll: What is the strangest town name in New Mexico? News: How could New Mexico schools be impacted by withholding of federal funds? Wildfire: Couple loses home to Trout Fire burning in the Gila National Forest Since early June, three Albuquerque teachers have been arrested for inappropriate conduct with minors. 34-year-old Patrick Corr, 66-year-old Kelly McEachran, and on Tuesday, APD brought in 27-year-old Julian Gunther. 'As the investigation is unfolding, of course, we're finding there could be other things that he was up to that are in line with someone who is seeking out children for sexual gratification,' said Hartsock. Gunther's arrest, in partnership with the Santa Fe Police Department, was part of a larger day-long sting focused on child exploitation in Albuquerque. Gunther was the only teacher caught up in this particular operation, but it netted a handful of other suspects, including 25-year-old Karim Vargas. 'We also arrested yesterday a person in the chat operation who was talking with an APD detective in an undercover capacity, and he showed up to a park here in town and was met by several uniformed police officers,' said Hartsock. Vargas believed he was talking to a 15-year-old girl, agreeing to meet at a park to have sex with her. After the arrest, officers found an unopened box of condoms in his car. Hartsock said these cases are rarely one-offs. 'We always presume that there are more victims, which is where we do full investigations into online activity, phone activity. We talk to neighbors, in Mr. Gunther's case, we're going to talk to the school and possible students,' said Hartsock. He hopes victims come forward. 'If the news is doing a story on it, if the police department feels confident in it, that means if I share my story, I am likely to be believed. So we love all the media attention you guys can give on offenders because we do get victims that come forward,' said Hartsock. Hartsock said anytime APD gets a tip about inappropriate behavior with a minor, especially a teacher, the case becomes top priority. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
