A fugitive accused of dangerous crimes against children, James Ibach, was captured in a collaborative effort of the Mesa Police Department the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office.
According to the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), on June 1, 2023, Internet Crimes Against Children Detectives received an emergency report regarding a “Sexual Exploitation of Children” case involving Ibach. A search warrant was executed on the 40-year-old Ibach’s residence in Arizona City.
Ibach was tipped off to the investigation by those close to him and left the residence prior to PCSO arrival.
During the investigation that followed, PCSO detectives found multiple devices owned by Ibach containing hundreds of images and video depicting child sexual abuse. There was evidence that Ibach had created some of the material.
On November 12, 2023, Ibach was contacted by the Mesa Police Department for trespassing. During the encounter, Ibach provided paper credentials that identified him as someone else. Ibach’s true identity was confirmed through fingerprint analysis and he was found to have a Grand Jury Warrant from the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor. The Mesa Police Department booked Ibach into jail for the warrant and the new charge of Taking the Identity of Another.
Ibach was then charged by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office with Criminal Impersonation and sentenced to two years supervised probation.
On December 21, 2023, Ibach was transported to the Pinal County Jail to face his charges in Pinal County.