GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. -- Two men have been arrested in connection with an investigation into child exploitation, the Mesa County Sheriff's Office announced Thursday.

Rodney Eddy, 67, was arrested Wednesday evening, and investigators said they found more than 1,500 images of possible child pornography at his home following his arrest.

Investigators went to his home after a girl reported that he had sexually assaulted her more than 100 times over the last five years. The girl's age was not released.

Eddy faces 35 counts on five charges, sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust, sexual exploitation of children and promotion of an obscenity to a minor.

The alleged victim told investigators the sexual assaults began with masturbation and escalated to oral sex and sexual intercourse. She said the incidents occurred when Eddy's wife was away from the home and always began with him showing her pornography. The girl drew a map for investigators to show them where to look for the photos and videotapes.

The Grand Junction Sentinel reported Friday that Eddy is a former Los Angeles police officer, retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army and a former member of the Plateau Valley School District board of directors.

Eddy's arrest follows the arrest of Nathan Hepker, 29, of Center Point, Iowa several weeks ago in connection with sending nude photos of a young teenage boy from Mesa County via a cell phone.

Hepker faces charges of sexual exploitation of children and Internet sexual exploitation of children. He was extradited to Mesa County and arrived in Grand Junction on Thursday.

Investigators said the two cases are not connected.

According to the Web site for the National Center For Missing & Exploited Children, about one out of every seven children aged 10 to 17 will be approached, or receive a sexual solicitation, online.