BULLHEAD CITY – A Mohave Valley man will spend more than triple the prison time imposed in most child pornography cases resolved with plea agreements in Mohave County. Like most defendants in local Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) cases, Michael Mendez, 34, was placed on lifetime probation at his May 14 sentencing hearing.
But, while most typical local CSAM plea deal convicts are sentenced to five-year prison terms, Commissioner Ryan Esplin sent Mendez to the Arizona Department of Corrections for 17 years. Judge Esplin and prosecutor Rod Albright agreed Mendez is more culpable due to a prior felony conviction, and because toddler age kids are displayed in CSAM materials in digital files located on Mendez’ computer laptop.
“The images are abhorrent,” Judge Esplin said, noting the Arizona state legislature has imposed harsh prison punishment mandates in the CSAM arena. “We want to make sure that children are protected.”
Mendez pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of a minor, and to three other charges reduced to attempts for the same offense. Six related charges are dismissed in the deal.
Public Defender Paul Amann exercised opportunity, as he has before, to let the lengthy prison sentence put potential offenders on notice to avoid temptation to download and view child porn in cyberspace.
“With all the good that the internet has brought us it also includes the bad, and that includes child pornography,” Amann said. “You can get it in your own home with a few clicks of a button.” Dave Hawkins
