A Harvard Law School librarian was arrested on several felony charges on Friday after police say he tried to arrange a sexual meet-up with a deputy posing as an underage girl in Colorado.

Yahya Hussein Ahmad Melhem, 47, exchanged a number of sexually explicit messages and webcam video online with the undercover deputy, according to a Gilpin County Sheriff’s Office criminal affidavit.

Melhem said he would rent a car and drive to meet the “girl,’’ according to the affidavit. He was arrested when he arrived in a rented vehicle.

Melhem was arrested on felony charges of criminal attempted sexual exploitation of a child, Internet sexual exploitation of a child, Internet luring of a child, and criminal attempted sexual assault of a child. He posted $10,000 bond and is due back in court on Nov. 30.


Melhem had worked as a librarian for Islamic Law at Harvard Law School, according to staffdirectories. He was in Denver to attend the Middle Eastern Islamic Librarian conference, according to the affidavit.

Melhem is no longer employed at the school, Harvard Law School spokesperson Michelle Deakin said.

Melhem did not respond to a request for comment.