Arizona man accused of kidnapping, sexual assault in case involving Utah teen

Litchfield Park man arrested in connection to missing Utah girl

Maricopa County officials used Snapchat to locate a missing 17-year-old girl allegedly held and assaulted by a man recently released on sexual assault charges. FOX 10's Andrew Christiansen learns more about how he held the teen against her will at his Litchfield Park home. 

PHOENIX - Sheriff's officials in Maricopa County say a man has been arrested in connection with a case involving a Utah teen who was reported missing in late April.

What we know:

According to a May 5 statement from MCSO, 30-year-old Armando Sanchez-Lopez was arrested on April 29, after he was seen with the missing teen.

Investigators said the teen left Lehi City, Utah on April 24 in an unknown vehicle.

"Information provided by a family acquaintance indicated the juvenile may have been in Arizona and possibly being held against her will," read a portion of the statement.

Dig deeper:

MCSO said it was determined that on the night of April 24, the acquaintance had provided transportation for the juvenile, who told investigators she was 17, to a home in the area of Dysart Road and Maryland Avenue in Litchfield Park. According to court documents, he met the girl on Snapchat. 

"The juvenile requested to be dropped off a short distance away and proceeded on foot. When the acquaintance attempted to follow, an unidentified adult male confronted him and reportedly brandished a rifle, prompting the acquaintance to leave the area," read a portion of MCSO's statement. "In the days following, the acquaintance received messages from the juvenile indicating she was being held against her will and was in need of assistance."

Armando Sanchez-Lopez (Courtesy: Maricopa County Sheriff's Office)

Court documents say the victim said Sanchez-Lopez forced her to take pills and codeine cough syrup. The victim said he also tied her up and sexually assaulted her, recording it with his phone. 

"She reported that she refused the 'lean' but nevertheless began to feel sleepy and eventually lost consciousness," Maricopa County Attorney's Office Attorney Elizabeth Lake said. 

On April 29, investigators said they received "updated information that the juvenile had returned to a residence in the area and had subsequently left on foot with an adult male toward another nearby address." Using Snapchat to find their location, they arrested Sanchez-Lopez. 

"If you are a serial rapist, and there is right now probably cause to believe that you are," Maricopa County Superior Court Commissioner Jane McLaughlin said. 

The backstory:

Per MCSO, Sanchez-Lopez has "five prior sexual-related accusations involving several victims." Court documents say there's a pattern of him allegedly drugging women and sexually assaulting them, following additional incidents in 2022. 

He is also accused of violation an order of protection filed by his mom.

"I'm going to leave in the caution about absolutely no contact with the new victims, and that any new felonies committed after this date could result in you being held with no bond," McLaughlin said. 

What's next:

Sanchez-Lopez is accused of sexual assault, sexual conduct with a minor, kidnapping, aggravated assault, custodial interference, and failure to comply with a court order.

The commissioner requested that he be held without bail. Officials say MCSO's Special Victims detectives are still investigating the case.