Fugitive child pornography suspect arrested, Pinal County Sheriff says

PINAL COUNTY, Ariz. - Authorities say an Arizona man wanted for child sexual exploitation has been arrested.

On June 1, the Pinal County Sheriff's Office received an "emergency report" for James Ibach and a search warrant was executed at his Arizona City home where "multiple devices owned by Ibach" were found "containing hundreds of child sexual abuse material." 

"There was evidence that Ibach had created some of the material," PCSO said.

The sheriff's office says Ibach was tipped off to what he was being investigated for by "those close to him." So, he reportedly left by the time they got to his home. 

"Ibach poses an imminent and dangerous threat to children. If seen, do not contact or approach him," the sheriff's office warned.

On Nov. 12, Ibach was detained by Mesa Police for trespassing. During the encounter, Ibach allegedly provided police with credentials that identified him as someone else.

"Ibach’s true identity was confirmed through fingerprint analysis and he was found to have a Grand Jury Warrant from the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor," PCSO said.

Ibach was arrested and booked into jail. He was charged by the Maricopa County Attorney's Office with criminal impersonation and sentenced to probation.

On Dec. 21, Ibach, 40, was booked into Pinal County jail.

James Ibach was booked into Pinal County Jail on Dec. 21.

"We now have that guy in custody, and he's gonna be held accountable for those heinous crimes of the most vulnerable in our community," Sheriff Mark Lamb said.