WSCU prof arrested on luring charges

Honor program director

By Mark Reaman

A sociology and criminal justice professor from Western State Colorado University in Gunnison was arrested last week, Wednesday, March 2 for suspicion of internet luring of a child.

Daniel Cress, 53, is facing four felony counts after his arrest by First Judicial District Attorney investigators in Jefferson County. Cress was communicating online with an undercover agent who he believed to be a child under the age of 15, according to the DA’s office.

According to the Jefferson County District Attorney statement, during the course of the investigation, Cress and the undercover investigator engaged in numerous and repeated communications, including text, chat, telephone conversation, and web cam, much of which was sexually explicit.

“Cress repeatedly asked the person, whom he believed to be a child under the age of 15, to perform sexual acts. He also asked the purported teen to ‘sneak-out’ with him,” the D.A.’s office said.

He was arrested at his home in Gunnison. Cress was being taken to Jefferson County and being held on $20,000 bond. The Child Sex Offender Internet Investigations, or Cheezo Unit, from the Jefferson County District Attorney’s office made the arrest with the help of the Gunnison Police Department.

Western’s director of marketing communications Brian Barker said Western does not comment on pending legal matters. “We can tell you that Western placed Dr. Dan Cress on administrative leave. His classes are being covered by other faculty members and an interim director has been appointed to lead the Honors Program.”