The trial of former State Sen. Otoniel “Tony” Navarrete on multiple felony charges involving alleged sexual abuse of children has been postponed yet again, according to court filings.
Navarrete, who was in the Arizona Legislature at the time, was arrested last August in connection with alleged abuse of two boys related to the then-senator. He was later indicted by a Maricopa County grand jury on five counts of sexual conduct with a minor and one count each of child molestation and attempted molestation.
Five of the charges are Class 2 felonies due to the age of the victim and the type of alleged sexual misconduct.
Public records show Navarrete, who turn 37 this month, was scheduled to stand trial in April. That trial date was pushed back to August based on an agreement between the prosecutor and Navarrete’s defense counsel.
But the August trial was reset to begin Oct. 11 at the request of the defense. Another delay was then requested by Navarrete’s counsel last month, resulting in a court order for the trial to start Jan. 17.
Navarrete’s speedy trial deadline is readjusted each time the defense requests a delay. In the meantime, the former Democratic senator remains out of custody pending trial on a $50,000 secured appearance bond.
READ MORE OF CHARGES:
Former Senator Set For Trial This Summer In Child Molestation Case