Former Soccer Coach Arrested on Suspicion of Sexual Exploitation of Children

Arapahoe County: Arapahoe County Sheriff's Internet Crimes Against Children Unit (ICAC) investigators received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) about child pornography being traded from an IP address in Arapahoe County. ICAC investigators discovered that files containing alleged child pornography were being uploaded. The files included underage victims ranging in age from toddlers to teens. ICAC investigators identified the suspect as HOWARD "BUD" HARPER, age 63. HARPER is employed by the "Real Soccer Club" as an Age Coordinator and has previously worked as a coach.

Sheriff's Office ICAC Investigators executed a search warrant in unincorporated Arapahoe County on Wednesday, August 10, 2022.

HARPER was taken into custody and booked into the Arapahoe County Jail on 17 counts of:

18-6-403 (3)(b) Sexual Exploitation of Children Class 5 Felony

If anyone has any information about this case, please contact the Sheriff's tip line at 720-874-8477

This investigation is ongoing at this time.