A Colorado corrections officer is facing nine felony counts after a nearly yearlong investigation led to his arrest Thursday on allegations involving child pornography and weapons.
Gage Vidal Montoya, 37, of Trinidad, was arrested following an Internet Crimes Against Children investigation, according to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.
Montoya’s felonies include six counts of sexual exploitation of a child and three counts of possession of a dangerous weapon.
The CBI said the investigation began in September 2025 after receiving a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Investigators said they found no evidence suggesting Montoya engaged in the alleged criminal misconduct while working for the Colorado Department of Corrections.
Montoya was immediately placed on administrative leave. CDOC’s Office of the Inspector General assisted the CBI with the arrest.
“The Department takes allegations of misconduct seriously. An internal review will be conducted, and in accordance with State Personnel Rules, CDOC will take appropriate administrative action as necessary,” said CDOC Executive Director Andre Stancil.
“As this remains an active criminal matter, questions regarding the criminal investigation and charges should be directed to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.”
Read more As federal protections fade, disabled Americans fear a return to institutions
Sign up to get crime news sent straight to your inbox each day.
Read more What does an aging population mean for economic growth?
Read more Colorado weather: Storms and powerful winds set to hit region
