Sexual abuse trial begins for ex-Arizona state lawmaker Tony Navarrete

PHOENIX - The trial of a man who once served in the Arizona State Senate is underway.

Tony Navarrete, who represented a Phoenix-based legislative district as a Democratic State Senator, was arrested in August 2021 for alleged sexual abuse involving an underage child, and an alleged attempt to abuse another.

Navarrete, who resigned from his office days after his arrest, was later indicted on six felony counts related to the alleged sexual misconducts, as well as a count related to the alleged misconduct attempt. He was later released from jail after posting bond.

If convicted on all charges, Navarrete could face what amounts to life in prison. That’s a mandatory minimum of 49 years in prison.

As for the State Senate seat Navarrete once held, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors selected Raquel Terán, who was a State Representative at the time, as his replacement. Terán won another term as State Senator in the 2022 Election, according to official results of that year's election from the Arizona Secretary of State's Office.

The trial officially began on Oct. 16 and is expected to last through the start of November.

Otoniel "Tony" Navarrete

Opening statements from the prosecution leaned heavily on a recorded "confrontation phone call" one of the victims made after it was instigated by Phoenix Police.

In the phone call between the victim and the defendant, he did not deny what had occurred and apologized multiple times.

"He asks the defendant, ‘Did you even regret it?’ The defendant tells him, ‘Absolutely mijo. I promise you these are actions that I have to live with for the rest of my life,'" the prosecution said.

According to court records, Navarrete is accused of repeatedly abusing one of the boys over several years, touching him inappropriately starting when the boy was 12 or 13 and continuing through his 15th birthday. 

The prosecution told the jury that Navarrete claims he was drunk on one of the occasions and says he also suffered from sexual abuse as a child. But, defense attorneys claim the "confrontation phone call" is hearsay and not solid physical evidence.

"The trial the state puts before you, the allegations that the state has said, we will prove beyond a reasonable doubt will be nothing more than a he said, he said and maybe throw in a few she saids as well. It will not be supported by direct evidence, or excuse me, physical evidence of scientific evidence," Adam Feldman, a defense attorney said.

The jury heard from a few witnesses close to the victims. We are keeping their identity private to ensure the anonymity of the victims.

Also read: Witness in ex-Arizona state lawmaker Tony Navarrete's child molestation case taken into custody