KINGMAN – A Laughlin resident snared in an undercover sting operation targeting male adults attempting to prey upon minors for sex faces a mandatory prison sentence following conviction at trial. The jury deliberated about two hours before returning guilty verdicts in August in Kingman in the case against Jay Lawler, 46.
The initial operation where a male Mohave County Sheriff’s detective began communicating on social media while posing as a female teenager produced indictments of about one dozen men from Parker to Las Vegas. The detective diverted communications to text messages while posing as “Sabrina”, a fictitious 13-year-old with whom defendants allegedly pursued sex.
Lawler was caught in a subsequent operation where the same detective was using the name “Destiny”. Deputy Mohave County Attorney Jacob Cote said Lawler was arrested last Oct. after driving to Kingman thinking he was going to have sex with Destiny at her father’s house.
Instead, Lawler was arrested by detectives who showed up at the fast-food meeting location.
The jury convicted Lawler of luring a minor, aggravated luring of a minor, attempted sexual exploitation of a minor and attempted sexual conduct with a minor. Lawler faces a 15- to 47-year prison term when sentenced October 19.
Most defendants in the Sabrina and Destiny cases entered plea agreements involving 5- to 10-year prison terms. The only other defendant convicted at trial, Kevin Moninger, 64, Las Vegas, is serving a 34-year prison sentence.
- Dave Hawkins
