Former Arizona ranger convicted of sexually assaulting woman he arrested

PHOENIX — A former Arizona tribal ranger was convicted in federal court of sexually assaulting a woman in his custody and covering it up, authorities said Thursday.

Mackenzie Davis, 25, faces up to 23 years in prison at his sentencing, which is set for Feb. 24, 2020, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a press release.

“The FBI will not tolerate officials who abuse their authority and violate the very people they were sworn to protect,” Sean Kaul, a special agent in charge of the FBI’s Phoenix Field Office, said in the release. “We too commend the victim who came forward to report this crime.

“The FBI will continue to work alongside our state, local, federal, and tribal law enforcement partners to protect all of our communities and hold those who abuse their positions of power, accountable.”

The former ranger with the Hopi Resource Enforcement Services arrested the victim for driving under the influence on Nov. 15, 2016.

Davis then pulled over to the side of the road and sexually assaulted the woman during a two-hour transport to the Navajo County Detention Center, according to the release.

“A sexual assault is doubly devastating to the victim when perpetrated by a law-enforcement officer whose only duty was to protect her from such harm,” Michael Bailey, U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona, said in the release.

“It’s also a breach of the community’s trust, and an affront to work of the earnest and honest officers who sacrifice daily on our behalf.”

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