A 54-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of internet sexual exploitation of a child and internet luring of a child after an undercover operation.

According to an arrest affidavit, the Durango Police Department’s Investigations Bureau launched the operation June 16, making a post on a classifieds website as an underage girl.

Investigators say Merrill Duane Gutierrez of Dulce, New Mexico, responded to the post, making comments “highly sexual in nature.” Durango police continued conversations with Gutierrez for several weeks.

Gutierrez, who was told he was communicating with an underage girl, sent sexually graphic photos of himself and tried to make plans to meet. Those plans continually failed, court records show.

Durango police issued a warrant for Gutierrez’s arrest July 8. Cmdr. Jacob Dunlop said Gutierrez was arrested near Dulce on July 9 and was extradited to the La Plata County Jail.

Gutierrez is expected to appear in court Aug. 14. He has since posted bail, according to VineLink.com.

jromeo@durangoherald.com