ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The Albuquerque Police Department targeted dozens of men they said were trying to connect with underaged girls. New video shows what happened when officers met up with a suspect at an Albuquerque park, where he thought he was meeting up with a 15-year-old.
Karim Vargas: “So I’m going to jail or something?”
It’s not what 25-year-old Karim Vargas expected to happen earlier this month as Albuquerque police officers cuffed him.
Officer: “Did you see 21 in there?”
Officer 2: “Yeah, and the condoms are in there too, so it’s him.”
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APD’s Child Exploitation Detail partnered with other local agencies on a day-long operation targeting child exploitation. Officers posing as minors went to online chatting sites and made contact with 100 people, including Vargas.
Vargas: “No, I don’t want to take no pictures, bro.”
Officer: “Well, you are going to get a picture, regardless it doesn’t matter.”
Vargas: “What for, bro?”
Vargas believed he was talking to a 15-year-old girl, named Ashlee, agreeing to meet at Mary Fox Park in downtown Albuquerque to have sex with her. He said he would give her money and bring condoms and a Reese’s candy bar, but instead, he was met by detectives.
Officer: “You’re adult enough to be making these conversations with people, look up like an adult, look up.”
Vargas: “I have the right not to bro.”
Vargas repeatedly asked what he did wrong.
Vargas: “I’m not trying to go to jail, bro. I hate jail. Nah, bro, what am I getting locked up for? Tell me what am I doing, bro?”
He refused to get in the back of the cop car.
Vargas: “This is not fair. Tell me why. Tell me why I’m getting handcuffed for.”
Officer: “You’re under arrest.”
Vargas: “Why, tell me why.”
He shoved his legs under the car, and when officers lifted him up, Vargas continued to use his legs trying to keep officers from getting him inside.
Vargas: “Tell me why, tell me why!”
Vargas is facing charges for attempted criminal sexual penetration of a minor and solicitation.
