Arizona State Senator Tony Navarrete accused of sexual conduct with a minor

Arizona State Senator Tony Navarrete has been taken into custody on suspicion of sexual conduct with a child, US media reported quoting Phoenix police. The 35-year-old Democrat was reportedly arrested in connection with an incident that took place in 2019. 

“Detectives interviewed a juvenile victim and witnesses, and on August 5th, developed probable cause to arrest the suspect. The suspect was arrested and is currently in the process of being booked into jail for multiple counts of Sexual conduct with a minor, among other charges. The suspect’s name and booking number will be provided when the booking process is complete,” Phoenix police said in a statement. No additional details were released. 

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Navarrete was elected to the Arizona House of Representatives in 2016 to represent District 30. Two years later, he was elected to serve in the state senate for District 30 and in 2020, he was re-elected. He is also the deputy director of community non-profit group Promise Arizona.

Arizona Senate Democrats issued a statement following Navarrete’s arrest.

“We are aware one of our members has been arrested and are awaiting further details and for law enforcement to do its job. We will not have further comment at this time,” the statement said.

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The arrest comes days after he announced that he tested positive for the virus despite being fully vaccinated. He said he has mild symptoms and is isolating at home.

“COVID-19 cases are once surging in Arizona and across the country and we need to be vigilant. Thankfully with the vaccine, my diagnosis is not a death sentence, but an uncomfortable inconvenience,” he said in a statement. 

“I know that people are tired and frustrated, but it’s time to mask up again. The best defense is getting the vaccine and masking up in public, crowded spaces,” he added.