3 Arizona men arrested in multi-agency sting targeting underage prostitution
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Three men were arrested Thursday on state charges following a multi-agency undercover operation targeting individuals suspected of soliciting sex from juveniles involved in prostitution.
The men, who were texting with undercover agents up until their arrests, were taken into custody June 22 by authorities at a hotel in Prescott. The defendants allegedly knew the “prostitutes” were minors, but still intended to exploit them through paid sex acts.
The agencies participating in Thursday’s operation included U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office, the Prescott and Prescott Valley police departments, the Arizona Department of Public Safety, and the FBI. The case is being prosecuted by Yavapai County Prosecutor’s Office.
“Our communities are safer now that these defendants have been arrested,” said Scott Brown, special agent in charge of HSI Phoenix. “HSI will continue to work closely with its law enforcement partners to hold sexual predators accountable for their actions.”
After responding to a notice in an online publication, the suspects made arrangements to meet the “prostitutes,” who were actually undercover law enforcement officers in a hotel room. The defendants arrested Thursday were:
- Clemente Martinez, 37, of Prescott, charged with one count of engaging in child prostitution, a felony, after soliciting a person he believed was 14 years old for sex. He remains in custody on a $5,000 bond. Martinez was out on bond regarding an unrelated case; an ICE detainer has been lodged against him;
- Ronald Lowman, 61, of Prescott Valley, charged with one count of engaging in child prostitution, a felony, after soliciting a person he believed was 16 years old for sex. He has been released on a $5,000 bond; and
- Johxen Poquento, 35, of Prescott Valley, charged with one count of engaging in child prostitution, a felony, after soliciting a person he believed was 16 years old for sex. He remains in custody on a $5,000 bond.
“I will continue to make these types of operations a priority for the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office because the goal of protecting our children from sexual predators must continue,” said Yavapai County Sheriff Scott Mascher. “I would like to thank all the assisting agencies for their support and participation in the investigation. On behalf of my fellow law enforcement partners, it is my hope these arrests send a message that preying on our children will not be tolerated in this county.”
Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
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