Scottsdale arrest made in attempted juvenile exploitation investigation

An Avondale man was arrested after Scottsdale police said he traveled to a Scottsdale home to have sex with someone he believed was a 15-year-old girl.

The investigation began after police received information about an adult male who reportedly traveled to a Scottsdale residence on July 23 to meet and engage in sexual activity with a person he believed was a 15-year-old female, according to court records.

The person posing as the teen was an adult who was representing herself online as a 15-year-old, part of a civilian group that recorded the encounter on video and gave it to police.

Court records say 23-year-old Xavior Vitela was twice told the person was 15 but continued arranging the meeting, offering to bring an alcoholic drink and sending explicit messages proposing sex.

Members of the Special Assignments Unit served a search warrant at his Avondale home on Aug. 5, where Vitela was arrested. Multiple cellphones and electronics were seized.

Vitela was booked into jail on suspicion of luring a minor for sexual exploitation, attempted sexual conduct with a minor and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. He is being held on $100,000 bond.

Police said the investigation remains active as detectives continue to analyze evidence recovered during the search.

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