Over 1,500 images of child abuse found in Aurora investigation, netting arrest – Sentinel Colorado

Report on Law Enforcement Action Against Child Exploitation in Aurora, Colorado

Introduction: Upholding Child Protection and Justice

An investigation by the Aurora Police Department (APD) has culminated in the arrest of a 51-year-old male, Derald Vandawalker, on multiple charges of sexual exploitation of a child. This action represents a significant local effort to combat crimes against children, directly aligning with the global objectives outlined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those focused on peace, justice, and the well-being of vulnerable populations.

Case Details and Investigative Findings

The arrest follows a comprehensive, nearly two-year investigation by the APD’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit. The key elements of the case are as follows:

• Suspect: Derald Vandawalker, 51, of Aurora, Colorado.
• Charges: An active warrant for 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a child, issued by the Arapahoe District Court.
• Initiating Event: The investigation began in January 2024 following a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding a cloud storage account possessing and sharing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
• Evidence Recovered: A forensic examination of devices seized from the suspect’s residence yielded over 1,500 images classified as CSAM.
• Arrest: The suspect was apprehended on November 6 by the APD’s Direct Action Response Team.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This law enforcement action is a direct implementation of several key Sustainable Development Goals aimed at creating a safer and more just world.

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   The case is a primary example of efforts to achieve Target 16.2: “End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.”

   • The investigation, prosecution, and use of legal warrants demonstrate the promotion of the rule of law and access to justice (Target 16.3).
   • The specialized ICAC unit represents the strengthening of national institutions to combat crime and prevent violence (Target 16.a).

2. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   This action contributes to Target 5.2, which aims to “eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls,” as they are disproportionately the victims of sexual exploitation.

3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   By working to stop the creation and distribution of CSAM, law enforcement actions protect children from severe physical and psychological trauma, thereby contributing to Target 3.4, which seeks to “promote mental health and well-being.”

Inter-Agency Collaboration: A Model for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)

The success of this investigation highlights the critical importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships, a cornerstone of SDG 17. The operation was a collaborative effort involving:

• Aurora Police Department Internet Crimes Against Children Unit
• National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)
• Homeland Security Investigations
• The Colorado Bureau of Investigation
• The Boulder County District Attorney’s Office

This coalition, operating as the Colorado Cyber Guardian Task Force, exemplifies the effective public and civil society partnerships necessary to tackle complex crimes and build the strong institutions envisioned in SDG 16.

Conclusion and Public Engagement

The investigation into Derald Vandawalker remains active and ongoing. Authorities have appealed to the public for any additional information, encouraging contact with Metro Denver Crime Stoppers. This call for community involvement underscores the principle that achieving justice and ensuring child safety is a collective responsibility, essential for the successful realization of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• This goal is directly addressed as the article focuses on crime, law enforcement, and the justice system’s response to child sexual exploitation. The entire narrative revolves around the investigation and arrest of a perpetrator, highlighting the role of institutions like the Aurora Police Department, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and the Colorado Cyber Guardian Task Force in combating violence and injustice against children.

Specific SDG Targets

Targets under SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

1. Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.

   The article is centered on the crime of “child sexual exploitation” and the discovery of “more than 1,500 images of child sexual abuse material.” The police investigation and subsequent arrest are direct actions aimed at ending this specific form of abuse and exploitation of children.

2. Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

   The article details the process of enforcing the law. It mentions a “nearly two-year Aurora police investigation,” the issuance of an “active warrant out of Arapahoe District Court,” the serving of a “search warrant,” and the eventual arrest of the suspect. These actions demonstrate the functioning of the rule of law to bring a perpetrator to justice.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

Indicators for Target 16.2

• Number of reported cases of child exploitation: The article implies this indicator through the mention of the initial “cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children” and the “three additional cyber tips” that followed. These tips serve as a measure of reported incidents.
• Volume of child sexual abuse material identified: The article explicitly states that the investigation “produced more than 1,500 images of child sexual abuse material.” This figure acts as a direct, quantifiable indicator of the scale of the criminal activity being addressed.

Indicators for Target 16.3

• Number of law enforcement investigations into crimes against children: The article describes in detail “a nearly two-year sexual exploitation investigation by APD’s Internet Crimes Against Children Unit,” which serves as an indicator of institutional action and resource allocation towards promoting the rule of law.
• Number of arrests and charges for child exploitation: The arrest of Derald Vandawalker and the fact that he was wanted on a warrant for “10 counts of sexual exploitation of a child” are clear indicators of the justice system’s response to hold perpetrators accountable.

Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: sentinelcolorado.com