Internet Child Sex Sting: Lakewood Police Seek More Victims

LAKEWOOD, CO – "So, do you want to have sex with this cowboy?" was the instant message sent via a social media site in May from a persona named "carl234." The Lakewood detective receiving the message was a member of the Crimes Against Children's Unit who had posted under the online persona of a 14-year-old girl.

During the month that followed, Carl W. Steinkamp, 47, of Englewood, allegedly sent the officer he believed to be a teen photos of himself and sexual comments, demanding a time when they could meet for sex, according to an arrest affidavit. He also sent photos of his black 2003 Dodge SXT pickup and his cell phone number, all traced directly to Steinkamp. The arrest affidavit shows how Steinkamp allegedly badgered the person he thought was the girl, demanding that she have sex in his truck.

Finally, the undercover officer agreed, as the teen, to a meeting in Lakewood.

Lakewood police arrested Steinkamp June 6 around 7:47 p.m. in parking lot near Colfax Avenue and Simms Street and he was charged in Jefferson County with alleged attempted sexual assault on a child, internet luring, and internet sexual exploitation of a child.

But officers believe he has used the internet to meet up with multiple "at-risk underage girls in person for the purpose of performing sexual acts," police said in a statement Friday. Steinkamp may have also driven around "looking for at-risk girls to victimize," police said.

When he was arrested, Steinkamp allegedly told the officer he knew the girl was 14 and "he came to meet with her to help her out," the arrest affidavit said.

Investigators released multiple photos of Steinkamp and his truck, with Colorado license plate OOU-447, with the hopes that more information can be gathered about other girls he may have had contact with, police said.

Steinkamp was released on a personal recognizance bond June 7. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in Jefferson County District Court on July 13.

Lakewood police ask anyone who may have information about Steinkamp to call the Lakewood PD tip line at 303-763-6800.

Photos of Carl Steinkamp appear below:

Images via Lakewood Police