DA investigators request public's help

02/08/2007 - GOLDEN, Colo. - Jefferson County District Attorney investigators are asking for the public's help in identifying additional victims in an Internet Luring scam intended to make teenage girls believe they are "chatting" with another teenager.

  Robert Clinton Knudsen, age 60, appeared in court Monday morning on two felony counts of Internet Luring of a Child following his arrest over the weekend. Court documents reflect that Knudsen allegedly engaged in sexually-oriented Internet "chats" with undercover officers posing as two different underage females. According to an arrest warrant affidavit, Knudsen identified himself online as a 17-year-old male named "Eric." Knudsen was arrested when he appeared at a local restaurant to meet an adult undercover officer whom he had also contacted online.

  Investigators want to speak with anyone who has engaged in Internet "chats" with "Eric" at When_you_wish2@yahoo.com. Underage Internet users are asked to inform a parent or guardian, and then call Investigator Mike Harris at 303-271-6936.

  Jeffco District Attorney Scott Storey called the case "a great example of why teens shouldn't believe what they're told by strangers on the Internet." According to Storey, legislation is under consideration that would require persons convicted of Internet Luring to register their online screen names with police when they register as sex offenders.

  Knudsen is being held in the Jefferson County Jail on a $50,000 bond.