Arizona man indicted for allegedly trying to coerce minor into sexual contact

PHOENIX — A 36-year-old man was indicted for allegedly transferring obscene material to a minor and trying to lure her into sex trafficking, authorities announced Wednesday.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona said Allman Rivas sent various sexually inappropriate Facebook messages to the minor victim from June 26 to July 19.

During this time period, he sent the minor girl photos of his genitals, prosecutors said. He also allegedly tried to entice her to go to his residence for sexual encounters.

“Protecting our youth from sexual offenders is one of the highest priorities of this office,” U.S. Attorney for Arizona Timothy Courchaine said in the announcement. “These crimes are among the most serious we prosecute because they target the most vulnerable members of our community.”

Why was Arizona man accused of attempted sex trafficking of a minor?

Rivas allegedly offered to pay back a small loan to his victim if she engaged in sex acts, according to U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona.

When she refused, Rivas used threats to force his victim into engaging in illegal sexual acts, prosecutors said.

Rivas is from Menagers Dam, which is located on the Tohono O’odham Nation.

FBI Phoenix Special Agent in Charge Heith Janke said safeguarding children from violence, coercion and exploitation is one of the federal agency’s top priorities.

“The FBI will continue to work with our federal, state, local, Tribal and law enforcement partners to identify, prioritize and investigate anyone who seeks to harm the most vulnerable among us.”

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