State v. Mr. P (DMC No. 16398) – Felony Child Sex Trafficking, Felony Luring a Minor for Sexual Exploitation, Felony Sexual Abuse, and Felony Money Laundering – Reduced to Attempt and Probation (with Zero Days in Jail) – Maricopa County Superior Court (Case No. CR2018-141257)
Mr. P saw an ad posted on Craig’s List stating “Young opportunities like this do not come around often. You won’t be disappointed if you ever wanted to be with someone fresh and young, I am your girl.” Unbeknownst to Mr. P, this was an Undercover Officer conducting a Sting Operation. Although the site was supposed to only be used by people 18 and older, during the conversation the alleged prostitute revealed that she was “only 15 years old.” She also asked for $200 for sex.
Mr. P agreed to only pay $100, and eventually agreed to meet the alleged prostitute at her apartment address. He was then given the address and Detectives waited for him to arrive.
Once he arrived in the general vicinity of the address, he went to the wrong place. It was at this time the Undercover Female Detective walked out and flagged him down. When he walked into the door of the apartment, he asked if she was a Police Officer and grabbed her breast simultaneously. He was immediately placed under Arrest by a Mesa Police Department SWAT team. He was found to have $100 in his pocket at that time. Afterwards, he was questioned and coerced into admitting to knowing that he agreed to be with a 15-year-old and have sex in exchange for the $100. He was then Arrested and Charged with Felony Child Sex Trafficking, Felony Luring a Minor for Sexual Exploitation, Felony Sexual Abuse, and Felony Money Laundering.
It was at this time; Mr. P secured the services of DM Cantor to Represent him. The first thing we did was secure all text messages that went back and forth between the Undercover Detective and Mr. P. It appeared that Mr. P merely thought the alleged prostitution was “role playing,” and was actually over 18 years of age. In addition, when he arrived on the scene and saw the female Detective, we were able to show that she was in her mid-20’s. If she appeared to have actually been 15 years of age, he could have backed out of the transaction at that time.
Because Mr. P actually did grab her breast, and because he was offering money for sex, he did have exposure to criminal liability. Originally, he was facing Decades in Prison. Ultimately, we secured an offer to Attempt, which included Probation and Zero Days in Jail.