Judge sentences out-of-state offender after investigation uncovered thousands of child exploitation files
A Weld County judge has sentenced a Florida man to 156 years to life in prison following a lengthy investigation involving child exploitation and attempted contact with minors in Northern Colorado.
Joel Kaufman, 49, was sentenced March 2 in Weld County District Court after being found guilty in December 2025 on multiple charges related to the exploitation of children online and attempts to arrange sexual contact with minors.
Investigators with the Weld County Sheriff’s Office arrested Kaufman on March 7, 2024, after he traveled from Florida to Colorado. Authorities say he believed he had arranged sexual contact with two girls, ages 10 and 14…