Sedona AZ (June 8, 2015) – Due to an investigative follow-up, the Yavapai County Arizona Sheriff’s Office delayed release of this information for a week:
On June 1, 2015, the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office joined with several other law enforcement agencies to combat Human Trafficking in Yavapai County. YCSO, along with Prescott Police Department, Prescott Valley Police Department, Cottonwood Police Department, Department of Homeland Security/ICE, and Partners Against Narcotics Trafficking D, Cottonwood PD, Department of Homeland Security/ICE, Partners Against Narcotics Trafficking (PANT), conducted an operation to target the buyers of underage and adult prostitutes.
It is important to know that Human Trafficking is the second most prolific crime in the world, second only to narcotics trafficking in terms of revenue generated.
The victims of human trafficking are often teenaged girls who, for various reasons, are forced to engage in repeated sexual assaults for the profit of a “pimp” soliciting customers for prostitutes. In an effort to eliminate the demand for prostitutes, this operation targeted buyers who would otherwise willingly hire prostitutes for sexual gratification.
After the suspects initiated contact in response to a notice from an internet publication, they made arrangements to meet the “girls” in a specified Yavapai County motel room. Over the course of the day, the team of combined law enforcement officers apprehended those men who, despite knowing that the girls were legally considered children or in their late teens, were willing to exploit them anyway through paid sex acts.
A total of four adult men were arrested following their request for sex acts and presentation of payment in the hotel room. They are:
- 18-year-old Alex Arizmendi from Paulden, Arizona, who remains in custody on a $5,000 bond.
- 40-year-old Isidrio Espino-Fierros from Las Vegas, Nevada, released on a $4000 bond.
- 47-year-old Jeffrey Sunderlin from Surprise, Arizona, released on a $2000 bond.
- 42-year-old Sean Davis from Tucson, Arizona, released on a $2000 bond.
Arizmendi completed initial phone arrangements and upon arrival at the hotel room, agreed to pay for sex with both an adult and a minor child. He was charged with Child Prostitution (felony) and Prostitution.
Espino-Fierros completed initial phone arrangements and upon arrival at the hotel room agreed to pay an adult female for sex acts. He faces a charge of Entice Person for Prostitution, a misdemeanor.
Sunderlin completed initial phone arrangements and upon arrival at the hotel room agreed to pay an adult female for sex acts. He faces a charge of Entice Person for Prostitution, a misdemeanor.
Davis completed initial phone arrangements and upon arrival at the hotel room agreed to pay an adult female for sex acts. He also faces a charge of Entice Person for Prostitution, a misdemeanor.
YCSO Sheriff Scott Mascher would like to share the following comment, “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 and young woman from sexual predators must continue. 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.”
Citizens can contact the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office with information or questions at 928-771-3260 or the YCSO website at www.ycsoaz.gov.
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