A Fort Collins man, Christopher Kyle Shaffar, was arrested for child exploitation and the production of child sexual abuse materials after a months-long investigation by the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO). The investigation was launched in August 2023 following a cybercrime tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding explicit images involving young children linked to an unknown suspect in unincorporated Larimer County.
After extensive investigative work, authorities identified Shaffar as the suspect and executed a search warrant at his home in November 2023. During the search, over 3,700 graphic images and videos depicting infants, children, and teens in exploitative situations were discovered. Additionally, investigators found that Shaffar had direct contact with two children featured in hundreds of the images.
Shaffar, a Fort Collins resident born on November 25, 1984, was arrested in late January 2025 and booked into the Larimer County Jail on several felony charges, including Sexual Exploitation of a Child – Manufacturing Child Sexual Abuse Materials (F3), Sexual Exploitation of a Child – Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Materials – Videos (F5), Sexual Exploitation of a Child – Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Materials – Images (F5), Unlawful Sexual Contact (F4), and Invasion of Privacy for Sexual Gratification (F6). A Larimer County judge set a $400,000 cash-only bond for Shaffar.
Sgt. Tyson Russell, who leads LCSO’s Criminal Impact Unit, commented on the case stating, “These cases are tough on many levels. Fortunately, we have a strong team that works tirelessly to get predators off the street.” Authorities are urging anyone with information related to the investigation to contact Investigator Justin Atwood at (970) 498-5143. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Crime Stoppers of Larimer County at (970) 221-6868 or www.stopcriminals.org.
The case is still under investigation, and as with all criminal cases, Shaffar is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The term “child pornography” has been replaced with “child sexual abuse materials” (CSAM) to more accurately describe the nature of these crimes. Organizations like RAINN provide additional resources on identifying and preventing child exploitation.
For more updates on local crime and public safety, visit NorthFortyNews.com. The arrest of Christopher Kyle Shaffar highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat child exploitation and protect the most vulnerable members of society.