On 05/13/24, the Fruita Police Department took the initial report of an adult male texting a 14-year-old juvenile elicit sexual text messages. The Grand Junction Police Department was asked to assist in the investigation of this incident. Through thorough investigation, detectives from the Grand Junction Police Department discovered evidence and had probable cause to charge the suspect and take him into custody. On Friday, 05/31/24, at approximately 12:00 p.m., officers arrested Shannon Buchanan (age 50) and remanded him to the Mesa County Detention Facility on the following charges:
- Internet Luring of a Child/Intent of Sexual Contact
- Enticement of a Child
- Sexual Assault-Internet Sexual Exploitation of a Child
- Criminal Attempt-Sexual Assault on a Child/Position of Trust < 15 YOA
- Criminal Attempt-Sexual Assault on a Child/Victim < 15 YRS/At least 4 YRS Difference
- Possession of Sexual Exploitive Material
- Invasion of Privacy
- Sex Assault – Invasion of Privacy Victim < 15 YOA
The Grand Junction Police Department believes this to be an isolated incident with no ongoing danger to the public. Due to the sensitivity of this case and laws related to the Colorado Open Records Act, any information related to the juvenile will not be released. This investigation remains ongoing and there is no additional information available.