Airline Pilot Arrested on Child Sex Crimes, Police Search for More Victims in Numerous States | Crime Alert 3PM 04.15.25

Detectives suspect Ralph Bledsoe has engaged in sexual activities with minors in Denver, Pennsylvania, and Phoenix, and was reportedly returning from Canada for what he believed would be a meeting with a young person at an Aurora hotel. 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Crime al Art hourly update breaking crime news Now.

Speaker 2 (00:04):
I'm Nicole Parton. Authorities in Colorado have arrested a sixty
eight year old airline pilot following an online child predator
investigation that started last month. The Aurora Police Department has
not disclosed the name of the airline that employs Ralph
Edward Bledsoe, an American citizen residing in Fluorescent that's approximately

(00:26):
seventy miles from where he was taken into custody. Bledsofaces
charges including Internet luring of a child, internet's sexual exploitation
of a child, and attempted sexual assault of a child.
Detectives suspect he has engaged in sexual activities with miners
in Denver, Pennsylvania, and Phoenix, and was reportedly returning from

(00:47):
Canada for what he believed would be a meeting with
a young child at an Aurora hotel. Investigators revealed that
they found numerous gifts that Bledsoe had sent to Aurora
in advance of the nnticipated meeting, which included laningerie and
sex toys. Given Bledsoe's profession as an airline pilot and
the potential for prior sexual interactions with underage victims, there

(01:12):
are serious concerns about the possibility of additional victims across
the nation, stated Aurora Police Lieutenant Seth Robertson. His arrest
does not signify the conclusion of this investigation, he continued,
our detectives are working tirelessly with local, state, and federal
agencies nationwide to identify further victims and ensure they receive

(01:34):
the justice they deserve. Details regarding the sting operation, including
the methods used by suspects to contact the alleged miners
for solicitation, have not been disclosed by the investigators. Authorities
encourage anyone with information about Bledsoe or another suspect arrested
earlier this month in connection to that same sting operation,

(01:56):
thirty nine year old Gregory Thomas Daniels, reach out to
the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers if you have any information
seven to zero nine one three stop. Tips can be
submitted anonymously, and informants may qualify for a reward of
up to two thousand dollars FIRS. More crime and Justice
news after this.

Speaker 1 (02:18):
How could a beautiful young first grade teacher be stabbed
twenty times, including in the back, allegedly die of suicide? Yes,
that was the medical examiner's official ruling after a closed
door meeting, he first named it a homicide. Why what
Happened to Ellen Greenberg a huge American miscarriage of justice.

(02:43):
For an in depth look at the facts, see what
Happened to Ellen on Amazon. All proceeds to the National
Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Speaker 2 (03:01):
A man who was sentenced for murder and escaped from
California custody last year is now suspected of killing the
head of a specialized Mexican police unit task with apprehending
American fugitives. According to officials, the unit, dubbed Gringo Hunters,
focuses on capturing US suspects who have fled to Mexico.

(03:22):
They were attempting to detain a suspect in Tijuana, a
city near the US Mexico border, when the individual opened fire,
resulting in the death of thirty three year old Abigail
Esparza Reyes, the unit's leader in Baja California. Authorities did
not disclose the name of the suspect, but local news
outlets have identified him as Caesar Hernandez. California officials reported

(03:46):
that Hernandez escaped during a transport to court. In December,
at thirty four years old, Hernandez was sentenced to eighty
years to life for the first degree murder as per
the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. He fled from
a transport van on December two while he was being
taken to Kern County Superior Courthouse. Months later, the Gringo

(04:09):
Hunters Unit located him in Tijuana following tips about his whereabouts.
This is reported by affiliate kb a K. A confrontation
ensued during which Esperaza Reez was shot and killed, while
Hernandez managed to flee the scene. Bajac, California Governor Marina
del Pilar expressed her condolences on social media, honoring Abigail

(04:32):
and her commitment to her work. Quote to the family
and loved ones of Officer Abigail, we acknowledge your courage
and dedication to the service of your state, she wrote.
Abigail's legacy will be remembered and her death will not
go unpunished. Abigail was considered a hero and a fierce officer.

(04:59):
Abigail Ries had been leading the regional Gringo Hunters team
for eight years and was involved in over four hundred
operations aimed at apprehending US fugitives hiding in Mexico. For
the latest crime injustice news, follow Crime Alert hourly update
on your favorite podcasting app. With this crime Alert, I'm
Nico Parton