On August 30, 56-year-old Joseph Tejada was arrested on multiple counts to include child sex trafficking by the Peoria Police Department’s Special Victim detectives.
Police were notified by a 14-year-old female victim, who bravely came forward to report that a man at the Peoria Library, located at 8463 W. Monroe Street, had approached her, asked her age, and then offered to pay her money for sex. He gave the victim his phone number and the victim went home and reported the incident to an adult, and then the victim contacted the Police.
Peoria detectives made contact with the suspect on the phone number he provided. During the text exchange, Tejada agreed to meet the victim at a location in Peoria to engage in sexual intercourse. He was subsequently arrested without incident at the pre-arranged location.
Joseph Tejada was later booked into the 4th Avenue Jail on the multiple counts, including; attempted sexual conduct with a minor, attempted sexual exploitation of a minor, luring a minor for sexual exploitation, child sex trafficking and attempted child sex trafficking.
Peoria Police are encouraging those with any information regarding this case to contact the Peoria Police:
• BY TEXT: Type PPD, then your message, and send to 274-637 (CRI-MES).
• Tip Phone Line: 623-773-7045
• E-mail Tips: PDTips@peoriaaz.gov (Note: E-mail is not anonymous)
• Or by contacting Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS
• Contact Detective Gretel Hopkins at 623-773-8886