KINGMAN (KTNV) — Last week, the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office in Arizona conducted several undercover sting operations targeting online predators.
The target of the operation was to identify and apprehend anyone attempting to lure minors for sexual exploitation.
As a result, three individuals were arrested.
On Jan. 24, Gregory Schutte, 29, of Kingman, was arrested for Luring a Minor under the age of fifteen for Sexual Exploitation, Attempted Commercial Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, Attempted Sexual Conduct with a Minor, and Child Sex Trafficking, all felonies.
On Jan. 28, Michael Shaw, 29 of Kingman, was arrested for three counts of Luring a Minor under the age of fifteen for Sexual Exploitation and one count of Attempted Sexual Conduct with a Minor, all felonies.
On Jan. 29, Daniel Saguchi-Cazares, 26, of Fort Mohave, was arrested for 2 counts of Luring a Minor under the age of fifteen for Sexual Exploitation and one count of Attempted Sexual Conduct with a Minor.
It is the goal of these operations to be proactive in keeping the youth of Mohave County safe, especially those vulnerable to online predators. Some of the individuals we have arrested commented that they were aware of our operations and have seen our press releases. Even with that information, it did not stop them from committing these crimes, and that is why we will continue our efforts in these operations. Unfortunately even knowing that incarceration is an ever possible outcome, it does not deter everyone from continuing this destructive behavior. During the past 14 months that we have been conducting these operations, we have charged 22 individuals with internet crimes against children. As of now, 9 of those have been convicted or pleaded guilty, resulting in prison time, ranging from 1 year to 33 years. The remaining 13 individuals are currently awaiting adjudication. If we can prevent even one child from being victimized, we are doing our jobs, and we owe our communities nothing less.”
