By Jonathan Eberle |
Governor Katie Hobbs has signed SB 1585 into law, a measure that strengthens Arizona’s legal tools for prosecuting child sexual predators. The legislation, introduced by Senate Majority Leader Janae Shamp (R-LD29), received unanimous support in the legislature and directly addresses a legal loophole that had hindered prosecutions in recent undercover sting operations.
The new law modifies the definition of a Dangerous Crime Against Children (DCAC) to include crimes committed against someone posing as a minor—specifically when the defendant knew or had reason to believe that the individual was under the age of 15. Previously, a 2023 Arizona Court of Appeals ruling created ambiguity around whether offenders caught in stings targeting fictional victims could be prosecuted under the DCAC statute.
The change comes in response to two recent undercover operations led by the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, during which 20 adults were arrested over a four-week period for allegedly attempting to lure minors for sexual activity. However, due to the appeals court’s interpretation of existing statutes, several cases could not be charged as DCACs, limiting the penalties available to prosecutors.
“This legislation closes a dangerous loophole,” said Shamp in a statement. “If a pervert is caught trying to solicit sex from a child by an undercover police officer, the offender deserves to be thrown behind bars—regardless of whether or not an actual child was present.”
Shamp credited Pinal County Attorney Brad Miller for bringing the issue to her attention. Miller emphasized the importance of equipping prosecutors with clear, enforceable laws to hold predators accountable. Under current DCAC guidelines, offenders face harsher penalties, including longer mandatory minimum prison sentences.
SB 1585 passed with bipartisan support, signaling widespread agreement among lawmakers that the legal ambiguity identified in the appellate court ruling needed to be addressed. While sting operations remain a key strategy in identifying potential abusers before they can harm actual children, legal experts had cautioned that unclear language in the law could undermine these efforts.
Now, with the signing of SB 1585, Arizona prosecutors will be empowered to charge offenders caught in these operations with DCAC-level offenses, provided that the defendant reasonably believed the victim to be underage.
The legislation reflects a broader trend in Arizona and across the country toward strengthening criminal penalties for child exploitation and digital predation. States have increasingly looked to clarify statutes around internet-based luring and sting operations to stay aligned with evolving law enforcement practices.
Senator Shamp framed the passage of the bill as a clear statement: “Arizona has zero tolerance for this evil against our kids.”
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
