BULLHEAD CITY — A hearing-handicapped Bullhead City man claims his rights were violated when he was arrested during a sting operation that targeted adult sexual predators of children. Lucas Robbinson, 46, raised numerous objections during an April 28 hearing before Mohave County Superior Court Judge Lee Jantzen.
Robbinson is one of 9 men arrested in late January when undercover officers posed as minors in electronic communication that drew suspects to meeting points for sex for pay with kids.
Two interpreters who participated in the settlement conference used sign language to communicate with and for the defendant. He claimed his rights were violated when he did not have interpreters, and lacked understanding during his arrest, initial discussion with police and an early hearing in his case.
“I can’t forget about this. This is about the deaf community,” Robbinson said. “They broke the law and they did not provide me an interpreter.”
Judge Jantzen said any legitimate sign language interpreter issue could possibly see some statements or evidence suppressed from the early interaction and investigation. He said, however, that the case in chief is unblemished since Robbinson has had interpreter services for months and is able to understand legal proceedings.
Robbinson also raised the issue of entrapment, alleging he was illegally tricked and lured by the investigation. Judge Jantzen said the law and legal challenges uphold the constitutionality of the type of sting operations that produced the arrest of Robbinson and the others three months ago.
Judge Jantzen also debunked inconsistency in Robbinson’s claim that he thought he was meeting a 25-year-old man, and telling arresting officers he was drawn in because he was trying to save the teenager from prostitution.
“This is going to be a tough defense for you based on the text messages that I’ve read,” Jantzen said. “That is why your attorney is recommending that you take an offer that you don’t want to take.”
Jantzen advised Robbinson that he is risking up to 30 years in prison if convicted at trial, as opposed to accepting a plea agreement that would result in 5 years prison, followed by lifetime probation.
A trial could be scheduled if attorneys don’t strike a plea deal before a June 4 status hearing.
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