State v. Mr. Q (DMC No. 18304) – Felony Child Sex Trafficking, Felony Money Laundering, and Felony Attempted Conduct with a Minor – Reduced to Attempted Sexual Abuse, Class 6 Open/Misdemeanor and Probation (with Zero Days in Jail) – Maricopa County Superior Court (Case No. CR2022-001104)  

Mr. Q was on the Whisper app, looking for a young woman to have sex with. He was contacted by an individual who was actually an Undercover Cop posing as a prostitute. Initially, he thought he was talking to somebody who was over 18 years of age. The Undercover Detective then stated that she “was only 16 years old”. Mr. Q did not actually believe that, and made arrangements to meet with what he thought was an adult prostitute. 

Ultimately, he showed up to the designated location and he had $140 in his pocket. At that point, the Detectives came out and Arrested him. When they told him he was being charged with multiple charges, and one of them included the term “Solicitation”, he immediately stated “no, she solicited me”. He then Invoked his Right to Remain Silent. After he was Booked into Jail, he contacted DM Cantor and we began representing him. 

Once we got him out of Custody, we obtained copies of all of the Police Reports, and reviewed the text messages that were exchanged back and forth. It became apparent that Mr. Q did not actually believe the person he was talking to was 16 years of age. He thought it was merely gamesmanship by a prostitute. In addition, he was only focused on the term “Solicitation” when the Police initially arrested him. He never made any admissions of actually believing he was talking to a 16-year-old. 

In addition, we put together Mitigation material showing that Mr. Q was a good person, and had no prior criminal history. He also had completed a Psychosexual Risk Evaluation which showed him to be a “low risk to reoffend”, and that he was not a pedophile. Lastly, we explained to the Prosecutor if we were to go to Trial, Mr. Q would be vindicated because in fact, the person he was talking to was never a 16-year-old (instead, it was an adult Undercover Cop). Ultimately, an Offer was extended to a Class 6 Open/Misdemeanor with Probation and Zero Days in Jail. Upon completion of Probation, the Conviction was designated a Misdemeanor, and Mr. Q has No Felony Record, does not need to register as a Sex Offender.