GOP official busted in child predator sting operation

The chairman of a Colorado county's GOP party was arrested on several charges related to soliciting a child prostitute.

Hunter Rivera, the 24-year-old head of the Weld County GOP, was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of soliciting a child prostitute, internet luring of a child, soliciting to arrange a minor prostitute, and attempted child sex assault, according to reporting by the Colorado Sun, which noted those are all felony charges.

Rivera used to work as an aide to Republican legislators at the Colorado Capitol, the Colorado Sun noted. He was nabbed in "an operation targeting child predators," according to a press release by the Larimer County Sheriff's Office.

"Investigators posed as minors selling sexual acts on local websites and forums," according to the sheriff's office. "Several dozen people responded to the listings, and two men arrived at an agreed-upon location to buy sex. They were met by deputies who arrested and booked the men into the Larimer County jail."

According to the Sun, Rivera didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.