A Democrat senator in Arizona was arrested on Thursday for allegedly being sexually involved with a minor.
State Sen. Tony Navarrete was booked into Maricopa County Jail, a spokesman for the Phoenix Police Department confirmed to The Epoch Times.
Jail records showed he was booked on Aug. 5 on four counts, including molestation of a child and sexual conduct with a minor.
Phoenix Police Department Sgt. Andy Williams told news outlets on Wednesday received a report of sexual conduct with a minor that occurred 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,” Williams said.
Navarrete’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Arizona Senate Democrats later addressed the 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 caucus said in a statement.
Navarrete, who identifies as being gay, entered the Arizona House of Representatives in 2017 and became a state senator in 2019.
The state senator recently said he tested positive for COVID-19.
According to a statement from his office, Navarrete tested positive on July 27 despite being fully vaccinated.
He was isolating at his house with mild symptoms.
