An accused child predator from Colorado is back in custody after Disney stopped him from boarding a cruise while he was out on bond, according to Aurora police. He is one of 13 men arrested in a months-long undercover sting targeting people who tried to meet children online.
A Trip the Court Didn’t Know About
Jonathan Kranich, 41, wanted to take a prepaid trip to Florida while out on bond. His attorney asked the court for permission, and the court approved the request. However, Aurora police say the request left out one major detail: the trip included a Disney cruise. Aurora Police Sgt. Joseph Sullivan told FOX31 that “they left out the detail of boarding a Disney cruise.”
Kranich traveled to Florida, but Disney flagged him before he could board and did not allow him on the ship. He is now back in custody for violating the conditions of his release. Police have not said which ship he booked, which port he planned to sail from or how Disney flagged him. Disney Cruise Line has not publicly commented on the case.
The Aurora Sting
Aurora police arrested 13 men during the undercover operation, called Operation SAFE Kids, in which officers posed as minors online. The suspects range in age from 21 to 65 and come from across the Denver metro area. Police said Kranich responded to a Craigslist ad for babysitting services and began messaging someone he believed was a child. That person was actually an undercover officer.
Officers arrested Kranich, who lives in Centennial, on August 27. Police also said investigators found multiple photos and videos of child sexual abuse material on his phone. He faces charges including attempted sexual assault of a child, internet luring of a child and patronizing a prostituted child. A judge set his bond at $75,000, which he posted after his arrest.
Questions Over Bond
Several of the men arrested in the sting quickly posted bond, raising questions about how courts set bond amounts. Sullivan said bond is a reasonable part of the system but should be higher for offenses involving kids. The charges against Kranich remain allegations, and no court has ruled on his case.
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