Sen. Shamp Advances Law Ending Early Probation For Child Predators

Sen. Shamp Advances Law Ending Early Probation For Child Predators

By Ethan Faverino |

Arizona Senator Janae Shamp (R-LD29) has successfully advanced protections for Arizona’s children and victims of crime after Governor Katie Hobbs signed SB 1092 into law.

The new legislation eliminates a significant gap in Arizona statutes that previously permitted individuals convicted of dangerous crimes against children to petition the court for early termination of their probation. Under SB 1092, offenders convicted of these serious offenses will now be required to serve the full term of probation originally imposed by the court, with no possibility of early release.

The bill ensures that sentences handed down for crimes such as child abuse, sexual conduct with a minor, and child sex trafficking are carried out as intended, without the possibility of early termination of probation.

“Victims and families should never have to worry about whether someone who harmed a child will get a break or be released early,” stated Senator Shamp. “This law shuts down a loophole that allowed convicted child predators to ask for early termination of probation, and that is simply wrong. If you commit a dangerous crime against a child, you should serve every day of your sentence, no exceptions, no excuses, and no second chances to cut it short.”

The provisions of SB 1092 specifically state that the court may not terminate the period of probation—or intensive probation—earlier than originally imposed if the defendant was convicted of a dangerous crime against children as defined in ARS Section 13-705. This probation applies to both standard probation and intensive probation terms.

“Arizona is standing with victims and making it clear that protecting children comes before anything else,” added Shamp. “I have made it my mission to make sex offenders’ lives hell, and I won’t back down.”

The law will take effect on or after January 1, 2027.

Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.

Former Democratic State Senator Sentenced To Year In Prison For Child Sex Abuse

Former Democratic State Senator Sentenced To Year In Prison For Child Sex Abuse

By Elizabeth Troutman |

A former Arizona state senator was sentenced to one year in prison on Friday after being found guilty of one charge of sexual conduct with a minor. 

A jury found Otoniel “Tony” Navarrete guilty of sexual conduct with a minor aged 15 or older, a Class 6 felony, in February. His jail sentence will be followed by 10 years of supervised release. He is also now required to register as a sex offender.

Navarrete could be released from jail in less than a year for “good behavior.”

He was acquitted of one count of child molestation and another sexual conduct charge. Had he been convicted of all charges, Navarrete would have faced a minimum mandatory sentence of 49 years in prison. The first-term state senator originally faced a Class 2 felony for molestation of a child, three Class 2 felonies for sexual conduct with a minor, one Class 3 felony for attempted sexual conduct with a minor, and two Class 6 felonies for sexual conduct with a minor.

Navarrete turned down a 60-day sentence followed by 10 years of supervised probation because that deal meant he would have to admit guilt in the crimes, the Arizona Republic reported. He maintained his innocence in statements after the release of the indictment. 

Police first arrested 35-year-old Navarrete in August 2021 after Phoenix police received a tip about sexual conduct with a male minor that occurred in 2019. 

Navarrete, who billed himself as “passionate about justice,” served as co-chair of the Arizona LGBTQ Legislative Caucus while in the state Senate. He served one term in the state House of Representatives, beginning in 2016, then he was elected to the state Senate in 2018. 

Elizabeth Troutman is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send her news tips using this link.