APD, SFPD Arrest Local Teacher for Child Sexual Exploitation

July 2, 2025

ALBUQUERQUE – Albuquerque Police Department’s Crimes Against Children (CACU) detectives assisted Santa Fe Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children Unit in arresting local teacher, Julian Gunther, 26, for criminal sexual communication with a child.

In May, SFPD detectives were conducting proactive work on a dating website, posing as a 12-year-old female when Gunther made contact with the fake persona online. Gunther proceeded to have conversations with the fake profile, soliciting nude photos and sex from the fake 12-year-old profile. Gunther  posed under a fake name and sent illicit photos to the fake profile, including photos of his face.

Through the investigation, SFPD detectives were able to determine the identity of Gunther and determined he lived in Albuquerque. SFPD contacted APD CACU detectives and the two agencies executed a search warrant of the Albuquerque residence. Gunther is a teacher at Rio Grande Academy of Fine Arts.

Gunther was charged with the following:

• Criminal sexual communication with a child x6
• Sexual exploitation of children x3
• Child solicitation by electronic device x5

APD CACU detectives are actively looking into other potential leads for other victims. This is an ongoing investigation and further details will be released when available.

Other victims or individuals with any tips or information are encouraged to contact APD CACU detectives or call 505-242-COPS. Victim advocates and resources will be available to any and all victims who come forward.

Gunther’s arrest was part of a larger operation being conducted by APD to combat crimes against children and child exploitation. APD’s Criminal Investigations Division partnered with other agencies for a day-long operation. Complete results of the operation will be released at a later time.