Arizona Democratic State Lawmaker Tony Navarrete Arrested for Child Sex Crimes

 

Arizona State Senator Otoniel “Tony” Navarrete (D-Phoenix) was arrested on Thursday and was charged with seven felony counts connected to allegations of sexual conduct with two minors.

According to court documents, Navarrete repeatedly made sexual contact with a young boy, who was 12 or 13 at the time, and his brother.

In a recorded phone call with the victim, Navarrete admitted to the allegations. He acknowledged touching the victim’s genitals and performing oral sex on the youth multiple times over the span of several years. According to the victim, Navarrete touched him at least five times.

Furthermore, the state lawmaker made advances on the victim’s brother. Navarrete allegedly touched the brother’s upper leg, who immediately swatted the hand away.

When acknowledging the past acts of abuse in the phone call, Navarrete said, “Of course, I regret any bad actions that I did, absolutely wishing everything could be different.”

Additionally, the victim asked the 35-year-old legislator why he had committed the abuse. Navarrete responded that he “wasn’t well.”

Immediately, after the revelations surfaced, elected officials on both sides of the political aisle called on Navarrete to resign from his position — including all 48 state lawmakers from his own party.

“Sen. Navarrete should resign immediately. These allegations are abhorrent. My prayers are with the young victims and their loved ones during this traumatic time,” Governor Doug Ducey responded in a tweet.

“My heart is broken. I am furious. If these charges are sustained and proven, it is a betrayal of trust that cannot be overlooked or ignored. Children deserve better. I implore the courts to make sure that every perpetrator of sexual crimes be removed from society and punished to the full extent of the law,” followed Democratic state Representative César Chávez (D-Phoenix), who serves as the chair of the LGBT Legislative caucus. Navarrete was also a member of the caucus.

“Given the nature of the charges against Sen. Navarrete, it would be in best interests of his constituents for him to resign from the state senate. He is presumed innocent of the charges but the best interests of the district the represents must come first,” added Democrat state Representative Diego Rodriguez (D-Laveen).

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Cooper Moran is a reporter for the Star News Network. Follow Cooper on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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