Editor's note: The charges against Amarnath Arikapudi were dismissed May 23, 2023, on a motion from the prosecutor. "Law enforcement had probable cause to charge the defendant, but upon further investigation the People do not have a reasonable likelihood of success at trial," the motion reads.
A Cheyenne man was one of four arrested earlier this month in Colorado in a sting operation targeting adults who were attempting to have sex with children.
Joshua McCathern, 39, was charged with patronizing a prostituted child, internet luring of a child and attempted sexual assault on a child.
The Larimer County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation conducted a joint sting operation in two different locations in the county (which includes Fort Collins and Loveland) from Dec. 1 to Dec. 3. The operation targeted people who were actively seeking to have sexual contact with underage children.
“LCSO would like to express our gratitude to all the agencies and investigators that helped make this operation a success,” the sheriff’s office said last week. “Operations like these are necessary to help ensure the children of our community are protected from dangerous predators.”
In addition to McCathern, two Fort Collins residents and one Kentucky man were arrested.
Amarnath Arikapudi, 30, of Fort Collins was charged with two counts of internet luring of a child with intent for sexual contact or exploitation, two counts of attempted sexual assault on a child, two counts of criminal attempt to commit a class four felony and two counts of patronizing a prostituted child. He posted a $50,000 bond on Dec. 3.
Satyander Dudee, 53, of Versailles, Kentucky was charged with internet luring of a child with intent for sexual contact or exploitation, attempted sexual assault on a child, criminal attempt to commit a class four felony, enticement of a child and patronizing a prostituted child. He posted a $50,000 bond on Dec. 4.
Jeffrey Beaman, 51, of Fort Collins was charged with attempted sexual assault on a child, internet luring of a child and patronizing a prostituted child.
The sheriff’s office is not releasing further information about the sting operation so as not to jeopardize future ones.
All of the men are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
