BULLHEAD CITY – A 10-year prison sentence was imposed Sept. 14 for a Bullhead City teenager who admitted he engaged in sexually motivated touching of young sisters. Judge Doug Camacho also ordered that Landen Ziede, 18, will serve lifetime probation once released from prison.
Ziede pleaded guilty to charges reduced to attempted child molestation and attempted sexual exploitation of a minor.
Deputy Mohave County attorney Leah Nelson said Ziede inappropriately touched the three- and five-year-old victims on Sept. 16, 2022 at a residence in the 1800 block of Arrowhead Dr. She said the defendant used a cell phone to make a short video of the illegal activity.
Public Defender Paul Amann asserted that the children were sleeping when abused and that no long-lasting adverse impacts may result. At the same time, he said his client was sexually abused by a stepfather some nine years ago and became a young alcoholic as he self-medicated to deal with that experience.
“The defendant does need help, your Honor,” Amann said. “And he wants help to become a better person.”
Judge Camacho opted for a decade as the middle point in a plea deal that provided a 5-15-year range of mandatory prison punishment. He credited Ziede for his youth and lack of criminal history but expressed concern that he made a short video of the criminal activity as “a trophy or souvenir.”
