FBI Uncovers Potential Decades-Long Abuse by School Officer Charged with Child Sex Crimes

Authorities are delving deeper into the troubling case of a Colorado school resource officer, Aaron “Jake” Bunch, who was charged earlier this month with sexual exploitation of a child. Investigators suggest that Bunch, aged 47, may have left a trail of victims spanning over two decades.

On October 8, Bunch was arrested and faced three counts of sexual exploitation of a child, as reported by KCNC. At the time, he held the position of a school resource sergeant and supervisor with the Aurora Police Department. Despite being referred to as a “former” officer, KKTV clarified that Bunch has been placed on unpaid leave pending an internal investigation by the department.

Details from an arrest warrant revealed that Bunch allegedly used the messaging platform Kik to share videos of child sexual abuse. According to KUSA, he sent one such video to an individual in the United Kingdom who was already under scrutiny. The warrant further alleges that Bunch engaged in grooming and soliciting minors.

Aurora Police Chief Matt Chamberlain expressed his dismay at the accusations, stating, “The allegations against this individual are disturbing and completely contrary to the values and mission of this department,” as reported by KCNC. He added, “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 allegations against this individual are disturbing and completely contrary to the values and mission of this department,” Aurora Police Chief Matt Chamberlain said at the time of his arrest, according to 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 police department also said it had seen no evidence that students ” within Aurora Public Schools, the Cherry Creek School District, or the Aurora Community were impacted or victimized.”

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.