PHOENIX — A new Arizona law signed by Gov. Katie Hobbs mandates prison time for adults caught trying to lure minors for sex — even when the minor is actually an undercover officer. Supporters say it’s a crucial step to ensure predators don’t walk free due to technicalities.
Senate Bill 1585, introduced by Republican State Sen. Janae Shamp, received unanimous support in the Legislature. The law redefines what qualifies as a “dangerous crime against children” to include undercover sting operations where no actual child is involved.
“Today is about the children — the lives shattered by rape, sexual abuse, manipulation and trauma caused by disgusting predators who saw them as objects, not the innocent human beings that they are,” Shamp said at a press conference at the state Capitol.
What does the new law do?
Reclassifies luring attempts involving undercover officers as dangerous crimes against children.
Requires mandatory incarceration for those convicted.
Raises the average sentence for luring a minor from probation to 10 years in prison.
Shamp and law enforcement officials say the bill was a direct response to recent sting operations by the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office. In two separate operations earlier this year, 20 people were arrested for attempting to meet with what they believed were minors. But at least four of them were released on probation due to the lack of an actual child victim.
“Think about how crazy that is,” said Pinal County Attorney Brad Miller. “You have an individual luring a child for sex, and they get essentially cited and released and put back in the community.”
Closing the legal loophole
Before this law, those caught in undercover child luring stings often received minimal consequences, especially if a real minor wasn’t involved. Miller said the new law changes that.
“If you use an undercover police officer in a luring investigation, now that falls under the rubric of a dangerous crime against children, which means it’s prison mandatory,” he explained.
Advocates for the bill, including county prosecutors and law enforcement leaders, say the law sends a strong message that Arizona will not tolerate child exploitation in any form — real or attempted.
