ARIZONA NEWS

Jury finds Minuteman founder guilty of sexually abusing girl

Jun 8, 2016, 1:45 PM | Updated: 2:48 pm

(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)...

(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)

(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)

PHOENIX — A jury found the founder of the Minuteman border-watch movement guilty Wednesday of sexually abusing a young girl.

Jurors in Christopher Allen Simcox’s trial started deliberations Monday afternoon He is not a lawyer, but represented himself in the case.

Simcox was convicted of molesting a 5-year-old girl and furnishing obscene materials to a minor.

He was found not guilty of engaging in sexual conduct with a 6-year-old girl.

Sentencing was set for early next month.

He denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to charges of child molestation, sexual conduct with a minor and furnishing obscene materials to minors.

Simcox told jurors he has been vilified for this political views.

The Minuteman movement drew attention in 2005 as illegal immigration heated up as a national political issue but the group splintered after Simcox and another co-founder parted ways and led separate groups.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Jury finds Minuteman founder guilty of sexually abusing girl