BOULDER, Colo.—Sunflower Farmers Market founder and CEO Michael Gilliland has resigned from the company following his arrest in Phoenix.
Police there say he was one of eight men arrested during a child prostitution sting. Officers say he was arrested Thursday after allegedly soliciting sex online with someone who identified herself as an underage girl. He faces a charge of felony child prostitution.
Sunflower says Gilliland told the company he believes he is not guilty. Gilliland could not be reached for comment Saturday on his cell phone.
Sunflower Farmers Market President and Chief Operating Officer Chris Sherrell has been named acting chief executive of the company.
Gilliland, who also co-founded Wild Oats Markets Inc., owns homes in the Phoenix suburb of Paradise Valley and in Colorado, outside Longmont.
