KINGMAN, Ariz. – A young Lake Havasu City man charged with sex offenses involving a teenager, and other crimes, pleaded not guilty during his Monday arraignment at the Mohave County Law and Justice Center in Kingman. Ethan Stroup was arrested June 29, the day after he engaged in sexual relations with a 17-year-old girl where he resides on Lost Dutchman Drive.
Both Stroup, 22, and the girl told police, during separate interviews, that they began messaging one another on social media five days before they met at his place. The girl told police that they made out, had sex and that Stroup snorted a line of cocaine off her body.
Stroup confirmed those facts but said the body snort was her idea. And he expressed surprise when police told him the girl was 17.
“No (expletive) way. Say that again,” Stroup said, according to a police report. “Oh my God.”
Stroup told investigators that she told him she was 18 years old. The police report indicated that officers confiscated various drugs, a rifle and a handgun from Stroup’s residence, as well as the underwear and shirt the teenager left there.
Stroup is charged with two counts of sexual conduct with a minor, involving a minor in a drug offense, possession of narcotic drugs, possession of dangerous drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia. Stroup is represented by Public Defender Paul Amann and will next appear for a Sept. 8 pretrial conference before Mohave County Superior Court Judge Megan McCoy.
