A sex offender who was once a minister, youth minister and certified counselor has been arrested by the Colorado Springs Police Department, suspected of victimizing children in the Colorado Springs area.
Robert Wesley Bell, 51, on probation for sexual exploitation of children, was living near two Colorado Springs elementary schools, according to Lt. David Whitlock of the Colorado Springs Police Department.
Earlier this month, authorities went to Bell’s home in the 100 block of West Van Buren Street, and reviewed his computer.
There images of suspected child pornography were found, said Whitlock. A subsequent search of the residence resulted in the discovery of items that indicated Bell may have been victimizing children, Whitlock said.
Whitlock said anyone who may know or might have been a victim of Bell to contact Detective Clayton Blackwell at 719-444-7532. Bell was arrested on suspicion of a probation violation.
In a similar investigation, a probation officer was conducting a home visit of a registered sex offender identified as Patrick Scott Page, 25, who lives in the 1400 block of West Pikes Peak Avenue.
Page is on probation for sexual exploitation of children.
During a review of Page’s computer, the probation officer discovered suspected child pornography, a violation of Page’s probation rules, said Whitlock.
Whitlock said it was also learned that Page had been accessing an unsecured wireless network belonging to a neighbor and using the neighbor’s Internet access without his permission.
Page was charged with sexual exploitation and a probation violation.
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or Pankratz@denverpost.cam
