Flagstaff radio personality among suspects arrested in crackdown on child sex crimes

PHOENIX — A Flagstaff radio broadcaster was among the suspects arrested in a multi-agency crackdown on child sex crimes, authorities announced Monday.

David Zorn of KAFF News is accused of luring a minor for sexual exploitation, according to the Flagstaff Police Department.

KAFF News said Zorn was placed on administrative leave as soon as the station learned about the Flagstaff radio broadcaster’s arrest.

“The KAFF News team will continue to proactively address the situation as more information becomes available to us,” the station said in a statement.

Flagstaff radio broadcaster arrested by North Star Task Force

Zorn was arrested as part of the North Star Task Force, a six-month operation cracking down on child sex trafficking and exploitation in Arizona.

Local, county, state and federal agencies participated in the task force, including the Yavapai, Coconino and Mojave county sheriff’s offices and the Lake Havasu City, Scottsdale, Chandler, Mesa and Surprise police departments.

“We will remain relentless in our pursuit of justice and protection for the vulnerable,” North Star Task Force Lead Detective Bethany Hyde said in a press release. “These crimes will not be tolerated in our neighborhoods.”

The operation made a total of 28 arrests, nine for alleged felony child sex crimes and 19 on misdemeanor prostitution charges.

In addition to Zorn, the following suspects were accused of felonies:

• Thomas Jay Smith, child sex trafficking.
• Brent William Smith, child sex trafficking.
• Michael E. Flores, luring a minor for sexual exploitation.
• Marcus Wimberley, child sex trafficking.
• Rakesh Dullbson, luring a minor for sexual exploitation
• Max Berkman, child sex trafficking.
• Christopher Hoffman, child sex trafficking.
• Abel Ramos, child sex trafficking.

Anybody with information about suspected trafficking or exploitation is urged call the Flagstaff Police Department at 928-774-1414 or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888.

Related

Human trafficking crackdown leads to arrests of 202 suspects in ScottsdaleArizona man found guilty on 7 counts of sexual exploitation of a minorRetired deputy sentenced to 10 years for sex crimes involving children in ArizonaDeveloper announces completion of Nexus Commerce Center industrial park in Tempe2 found dead after fire at home in MaricopaNewborn found safe in northern AZ after being abducted from West Valley