Arizona state lawmaker faces calls for resignation after arrest on child sexual abuse charges

By Andy Rose and Veronica Stracqualursi, CNN |

Then-State Rep. Tony Navarrete speaks with attendees at a Trump Tax Town Hall hosted by Tax March at Events on Jackson in Phoenix, Arizona, on February 20, 2018.

(CNN) Arizona’s Republican governor and state lawmakers from both parties on Friday called on state Sen. Otoniel “Tony” Navarrete to resign, as he faces multiple felony charges in connection with allegedly sexually abusing a child.

Republican Gov. Doug Ducey said in a tweet the allegations made against Navarrete “are abhorrent” and that the Democratic lawmaker “should resign immediately.” Members of the lawmaker’s party in the state Legislature have also called for him to step down, saying the charges “provide an untenable distraction” from his service.

Navarrete was elected an Arizona state senator in 2018, representing Arizona’s 30th District, and previously served as a state representative.

He was arrested and jailed Thursday night on multiple felony charges, including sexual contact with a minor, child molestation and attempted sexual contact with a minor. Phoenix Police Sgt. Andy Williams confirmed the charges to CNN in an email. The seven felony counts, Williams said, relate to alleged misconduct from 2019.

Arizona Democratic state Sen. Otoniel “Tony” Navarrete was arrested and jailed Thursday night as he faces multiple sexual misconduct charges involving a minor.

A now-16-year-old alleged victim said that Navarrete abused him multiple times when they were living in the same residence in Phoenix, starting when he was 12 or 13 and continuing until he was 15, according to the charging document filed in court in Maricopa County.

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