A court has convicted Otoniel “Tony” Navarrete, a former Democratic state lawmaker in Arizona, of sexual misconduct with a minor. He has been sentenced to one year in prison and 10 years of supervised release.
Social media users swiftly resurfaced images of Navarrete alongside other high-level Democratic politicians following the news, including Vice President Kamala Harris and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Fox 10 reported the verdict, stating that Navarrete was found guilty of engaging in sexual conduct with a minor, though not guilty of sexual molestation, which was one of the initial charges.
Navarrete, once viewed as a promising figure within the Arizona Democratic Party and the founder of the party’s LGBTQ Caucus, faced arrest in 2021 for sexual misconduct involving a boy with whom he resided.
The boy accused him of inappropriate touching during his early teenage years, continuing until around the age of 15.
Navarrete, who previously served as a state representative in Arizona’s 30th district and later as a state senator elected in 2018, stepped down from his position amid mounting allegations of sexual misconduct.
He held positions on various committees including Commerce, Health and Human Services, and Higher Education and Workforce Development during his tenure in the state legislature.
The Post Millennial reports that Navarrete advocated for and endorsed a bill aiming to include LGBTQ representation in school textbooks.
Republicans voiced their concerns and frustrations towards Navarrete back in 2021, dubbing him as part of the “far-left” that’s determined to “sexualize” children.
“Senator Tony Navarette, who sponsored the Kindergarten Sex Ed bill in Arizona and is now being accused of child sex crimes—has resigned,” Kari Lake said in April 2021. “As governor I will stop the far left from sexualizing our children!”
Arizona Republican Senator Wendy Rogers also weighed in after Navarette’s arrest, writing, “We do not tolerate that kind of despicable behavior & I pray for those who were affected by why he did. We must have basic moral & legal standards & hold people accountable.”
The National File reported around the time of Navarette’s arrest that police said they had audio where the Democrat Senator admitted to groping and fellating a 12-year-old boy.
The outlet continued by stating it took Navarette six days to finally resign, despite vocal outcries and calls for his removal from GOP lawmakers.
Senate President Karen Fann. Fann and Democrat Senate Leader Rebecca Rios announced Navarette’s resignation in a joint statement, saying that it was the “right thing to do.”
“We know that the Arizona Judicial Branch will deliver justice and pray for healing and support for all victims,” the statement added.
The post Former Arizona Dem State Senator Convicted Of Sexual Misconduct With Minor Sentenced, Old Posts Resurface Of Him Alongside High-Level Politicians appeared first on Resist the Mainstream.
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Author: Jordyn M.
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