Arizona state Senator Otoniel “Tony” Navarrete has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of sexual conduct with a minor, one count of molestation of a child, and one count of attempted sexual conduct with a minor, according to KNXV-TV in Phoenix.
Navarrete represents Arizona’s 30th District, which includes a part of Phoenix.
UPDATE: Court documents reveal unsettling details in the case against Arizona Senator Tony Navarrete. https://t.co/mPcoWDJmYk #abc15 pic.twitter.com/PQtCmpTZk5
— ABC15 Arizona (@abc15) August 7, 2021
The charges involve Navarrete allegedly acting inappropriately or performing sexual acts on a boy five times, beginning when the child was 12-13 and continuing until he was 15. The boy says he now suffers from anxiety and anger issues as a result of the abuse.
The 13-year-old brother of that boy said that Navarrete tried to touch his upper leg, but he hit his hand away.
Navarrete got caught by his admissions on a recorded phone call with one of the brothers, which was monitored by the police.
In the recorded call, monitored by police, Navarrete, 35, acknowledged touching the victim’s penis and performing oral sex on the youth multiple times over several years, according to documents released by Maricopa County Superior Court.
Navarette told the youth he regretted his actions, knew they were wrong and repeatedly told the youth that the young man was not at fault for any of the interactions.
“Of course, I regret any bad actions that I did, absolutely wishing everything could be different. I’m sorry, mijo,” Navarrete was quoted as saying in the phone call. It appears he was not aware that police were listening in.
So, it sounds like they pretty much have him dead to rights.
He was considered a “rising star” in the Democratic Party, and it was thought he might run for state treasurer. He’s met with high-profile Democrats like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortex (D-NY) and Kamala Harris in the past.
Pictures from AZ State Senator Tony Navarrete’s Instagram
He was just arrested for child molestation pic.twitter.com/MnUgcviCza
— Jewish Deplorable (@TrumpJew2) August 6, 2021
But now, even the Democrats are throwing him under the bus, given the arrest and the circumstances. They are calling on him to “resign immediately,” in a joint statement of both the state House and Senate.
JOINT STATEMENT: In light of these disturbing charges, House and Senate Democrats are calling on Senator Navarrete to resign immediately. Abuse of this kind is intolerable and our hearts go out to the victims. pic.twitter.com/nDnHr12Wfm
— Arizona House Democrats (@AZHouseDems) August 6, 2021
Join the conversation as a VIP Member