Man accused of sexual assault, kidnapping Utah girl arrested in Litchfield Park

PHOENIX — A man was arrested in Litchfield Park after he allegedly sexually assaulted and kidnapped a missing girl from Utah, authorities said.

The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) identified the man taken into custody on April 29 as 30-year-old Armando Sanchez-Lopez. He was booked into jail on charges of sexual assault, sexual conduct with a minor, kidnapping, aggravated assault and failure to comply with a court-ordered custodial agreement.

Authorities also noted that Sanchez-Lopez has had five previous sexual-related accusations, which involved several victims.

What led to the man being arrested in Litchfield Park?

On April 24, the juvenile girl left her home in Lehi, Utah in an unknown vehicle. An acquaintance of the family indicated that she might have being held against her will in Arizona.

While authorities were investigating, they learned that the girl had been taken to the area of 19th and Maryland avenues by an acquaintance around 9:30 p.m. the same day.

After the girl asked to be dropped short distance away from her destination, the acquaintance attempted to follow her but was threatened with a rifle by an unidentified man.

Over the following days, the acquaintance received messages from the girl that suggested she was being held against her will and needed help.

On April 29, MCSO deputies were able to save the girl and arrest Sanchez-Lopez after they received information about them walking toward in the area.

According to authorities, the girl immediately expressed relief to being found.

“Thanks to the persistence and coordination of our detectives, this juvenile was safely located and recovered. We are grateful she is now out of harm’s way and receiving the care she needs,” Maricopa County Sheriff Jerry Sheridan said in a news release. “Detectives are continuing to thoroughly examine all evidence of prior reports, as this individual has a concerning history involving similar accusations.”

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