World News | US: Arizona State Senator Accused of Sexual Conduct with Minor

Phoenix (US), Aug 6 (AP) Democratic Arizona state Senator Tony Navarrete has been arrested on suspicion of charges accusing him of sexual conduct with a minor, police said Friday.

Police received a report on Wednesday about sexual contact that allegedly occurred in 2019. Navarrete, who represents a west Phoenix district, was arrested Thursday after detectives interviewed a juvenile victim and witnesses, police said in a statement.

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Navarrete, 35, was booked into jail on suspicion of charges that included multiple counts of sexual conduct with a minor, the statement said.

Navarrete did not immediately respond to email and phone messages seeking comment.

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Court records on Navarrete's case were not immediately available and it was not clear whether he has an attorney who could comment on his behalf. He was expected to make an initial court appearance Friday afternoon.

Sgt. Andrew Williams, a Police Department spokesman, declined to provide additional information on the case, saying police didn't want to draw attention to the case “for the sake of the victim".

Navarrete announced earlier this week that he had tested positive for COVID-19 and was experiencing minor symptoms while isolating at home.

Navarrete is serving his second term in the Senate after serving one term in the House.

Senate Democrats said in a statement they were “deeply disturbed" by Navarrete's arrest and that they stand behind all survivors of sexual assault.

“These allegations and (the) arrest are serious and deeply troubling. Right now, it's important for due process to take place through our judicial system," the statement said.

Republican Sen. Kelly Townsend said on Twitter she took the position that Navarrete was innocent unless proven guilty.

“However, if it's true, then I don't ever want to lay eyes on you again, @NavarreteA," Townsend said in her tweet.

The Arizona Legislature is not in session. Lawmakers finished their 2021 regular session in late June and, unless a special session is called, will next convene in January for the 2020 regular session. (AP)

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)