PHOENIX, AZ — On Thursday, Arizona State Sen. Otoniel “Tony” Navarrete was arrested on charges of sexual conduct with a minor. The 35-year-old lawmaker is alleged to have committed the crime in 2019.
Navarrete is one of the founders of the first LGBT Caucus in the Arizona Legislature.
“The Phoenix Police Department received a report of sexual conduct with a minor that occurred in 2019. Detectives interviewed a juvenile victim and witnesses, and on August 5th, developed probable cause to arrest the suspect,” advised the Phoenix Police Department. “The suspect was arrested and is currently in the process of being booked into jail for multiple counts of sexual conduct with a minor, among other charges.”
“We are aware one of our members has been arrested and are awaiting further details and for law enforcement to do its job. We will not have further comment at this time,” said Navarrete’s fellow Senate Democrats in a statement.
Earlier this week, Navarrete posted on Facebook that although he had previously received the COVID-19 vaccine, he had tested positive for the virus and was isolating at home.
Navarrete, whose day job is deputy director of Promise Arizona, had been expected to announce his intention to run in the Arizona Treasurer’s race.
