(Dec. 4, 2025) – The Aurora Police Department Internet Crimes Against Children Unit announced it arrested earlier this week a Greeley man on child exploitation charges.
Daniel Oliver McCarthy, 39, was arrested Wednesday on charges of internet luring of a child and attempted sexual assault on a child. The charges stem from a two-day online predator operation that took place more than eight months ago. Formal charges will be filed by the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
On March 27 and 28, Aurora Internet Crimes Against Children detectives assisted the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office, the Longmont Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations with an online operation designed to identify and arrest predators using the internet to sexually exploit and victimize children. The operation utilized social media ads, which remained active and were monitored by investigators after the two-day operation was completed.
On March 29th, McCarthy responded to a social media ad and began communicating with an undercover persona he believed to be a 12-year-old girl. During more than eight months of intermittent conversations, McCarthy attempted numerous times to persuade the 12-year-old persona to run away from home and live with him in Greeley.
McCarthy was arrested Wednesday by Aurora Police Area Representatives when he arrived at a pre-planned location in Aurora to meet the 12-year-old persona for sex. When contacted by police, officers also recovered a loaded handgun on the front seat of McCarthy’s vehicle.
The investigation is active and ongoing. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867). Tipsters can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.
The Aurora Police Department Internet Crimes Against Children Unit is partnered with Homeland Security Investigations, the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation as part of the Colorado Cyber Guardian Task Force, which is comprised of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies in the Denver metro area. The task force focuses on child exploitation and child sex trafficking investigations.
Joe Moylan
Public Information Officer
720.432.5095
AP25-232309