Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) announced that a man was arrested in Ohio on charges of sexual exploitation of a child stemming from a warrant issued in Pueblo County, Colorado. The suspect, 53‑year‑old Mark Lee Scott, was located in Akron, Ohio, on Monday and taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service.

Investigation background

According to PCSO, an Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) detective began investigating the suspect earlier this year after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. At that time, the detective learned that the suspect was residing in Pueblo County. Search warrants executed in Pueblo County uncovered numerous photos and videos of child sexual abuse material linked to Scott.

Following the discovery, the detective secured an arrest warrant for Scott on charges of procurement of a child for sexual exploitation, two counts of sexual exploitation of a child, and four additional counts of sexual exploitation of a child. The warrant was entered into national law‑enforcement databases, which led investigators to learn that Scott had moved to Ohio.

Arrest and extradition

The U.S. Marshals Service assisted PCSO in locating Scott in Akron, Ohio. He was taken into custody by the Summit County Sheriff’s Office and is currently being held there pending extradition back to Pueblo County, where he will face the pending charges.

Official response

“This case demonstrates our ongoing commitment to protecting children and ensuring that those who seek to exploit them are held fully accountable,” Pueblo County Sheriff David Lucero said in a press release. “I want to commend our ICAC detective for his dedication and expertise throughout this investigation, and I extend our thanks to the U.S. Marshals Service in Ohio for their assistance in locating and apprehending the suspect.”

Community impact

The arrest underscores the collaborative efforts between local law‑enforcement agencies and federal partners in combating child sexual exploitation. Pueblo County officials emphasized that the investigation will continue to pursue any additional individuals involved in the distribution of illegal material.

Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious online activity to law‑enforcement. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children provides resources for reporting and education on how to protect children from online predators.

Next steps

Scott will be extradited to Pueblo County to appear before a Colorado court. If convicted, he faces significant prison time and mandatory registration as a sexual offender. PCSO and the U.S. Marshals Service will continue to work together on related cases that cross state lines.

Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.