Look below to see a large version of Sellman's booking photo, as well as releases from the Colorado Springs Police Department -- the arresting agency -- and the Aurora Police Department.
Colorado Springs Police Department release:The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) Internet Crimes Against Children Unit (ICAC) has completed an investigation into the unlawful Possession and Distribution of Child Pornography by a Peyton man. The ICAC unit conducts investigations that often lead them across the state to follow up leads. This is the CSPD ICAC Unit's 26th arrest and the statewide Colorado ICAC 103rd arrest for 2010. The Colorado Springs Police Department is a member of the National Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force which is funded by a grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. There are 61 task force lead agencies around the country and more than 2000 affiliated law enforcement agencies involved in the fight against online exploitation of children.The CSPD ICAC unit was contacted by the Westminster Police Department and asked to follow up on this investigation as the suspect lived in El Paso County. The investigation revealed that there was probable cause to believe that 39 year old Morgan Sellman was in possession of child pornography. On December 15th a search warrant was executed at Mr. Sellman's home and it was at this time that investigators learned that Mr. Sellman is a sergeant with the Aurora Police Department. Investigators immediately contacted the Aurora Police Department, and since have received their full cooperation with the investigation. Mr. Sellman was not home when the search warrant was executed and since then, additional evidence has been discovered. Today Mr Sellman was arrested, booked into the El Paso County Criminal Justice Center and charged with 1 count of Sexual Exploitation of Children 18-6-403, a class 3 felony, for possession of child pornography. If convicted he could face up to 12 years in prison. At this point in the investigation there is no evidence to support that Mr. Sellman ever had any personal contact with a victim or used a city of Aurora computer to store images of child pornography. Additionally, at this point in the investigation investigators have not located any evidence on Mr. Sellman's city of Aurora computer.
We have been notified by the Aurora Police Department that Mr. Sellman has been placed on administrative leave without pay pending a disposition in the criminal case... This is an ongoing investigation and no further information will be released at this time.
Aurora Police Department release:
Statement Released by the Aurora Police DepartmentAurora, Colo. -- The Aurora Police Department is releasing the following statement in connection with today's arrest of an Aurora Police sergeant for Sexual Exploitation of Children (Class 3 Felony).
The Aurora Police Department is fully cooperating with the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) in this investigation.
On Wednesday, December 15, 2010, the Department was made aware of a criminal investigation by CSPD involving APD Sergeant Morgan Sellman. Sergeant Sellman was immediately placed on administrative leave with pay.
Sergeant Sellman is a 14-year veteran of the Department. In his most recent assignment he served a dual role as the Department's quartermaster and the DARE coordinator. In his quartermaster role, he oversaw management of department's purchasing, distribution and inventorying of equipment and uniforms. In his role as DARE coordinator, he managed the budget, scheduling, supplies and administrative tasks of the DARE program. He is not currently certified as a DARE instructor and had no role in dealing with students. He last taught in the DARE program in 2001.
As a result of his arrest, Sgt. Sellman has been placed in a non-pay status effective today. An internal affairs investigation will also be conducted by the Aurora Police Department.
No additional information about this matter will be released by the Aurora Police Department until the criminal matter is resolved or Sergeant Sellman's employment status changes.
More from our Colorado Crimes archive: "Mark Davis, Denver Deputy, accused of abusing 12-year old; charges about 8-year old pending."
