Yavapai County Detective discovers additional victim during Investigation.
Recently, YCSO has handled several cases involving suspects luring a known child victim for sex. With early notification to law enforcement by victims and their families, or the discovery of a predator through internet investigations, detectives have been able to intercede before further harm is done to the child.
On August 5, 2015, a YCSO detective specializing in sex crimes was notified that a father was reporting inappropriate sexual texts between his 12-year-old daughter and an adult family acquaintance – 41-year-old Keith Eugene Griffin from Flagstaff. The detective examined the victim’s cell phone and confirmed several messages from suspect Griffin explaining a need for sexual contact with the 12-year-old.
On occasion, Griffin previously made arrangements for the victim and a young girl, who is a family acquaintance of his, to spend time together. Both girls have been friends in the past.
With consent from the victim’s father, the detective posed as the victim to continue text chats. In the messages, Griffin again suggested they could have sex as the best way to gain “energy” while he helped her along the ‘path.’
The suspect eventually agreed to an arrangement where the two would meet in the Cornville area soon. As the text chats continued, Griffin also disclosed prior sex acts within the last year involving the family acquaintance under 14-years-of-age at the time. Griffin now suggested that the both girls could meet with him and ‘they could all try sex together.’ Griffin outlined specific sex acts and agreed to a meeting on August 9, 2015. Griffin also shared photos he took of a young girl’s genitalia claiming they were taken of the family acquaintance with whom he had sex.
On August 9, 2015, Griffin arrived at a pre-designated location in McGuireville to meet the 12-year-old victim. Instead, Griffin met with YCSO deputies who placed him in-custody.
Griffin was booked at the Camp Verde Detention Center on charges including 4 counts of Aggravated Luring of a Minor for Sexual Exploitation, 2 Counts of Luring, 3 counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, and Attempted Sexual Conduct with a Minor. He remains in-custody and is being held without bond.
The circumstances regarding the abuse of the suspect’s acquaintance has been turned over to the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office since the activity occurred in their area.