A Phoenix man is facing multiple felony charges after a months-long investigation into allegations of sexual abuse involving a minor, according to court records.
Carlos Fernando Juarez, 33, was arrested Thursday and booked on two counts of sexual conduct with a minor and one count of luring a minor for sexual exploitation.
Investigators say the case began in February when the alleged victim, now 18, reported abuse that she said occurred several years earlier. Court documents identify Juarez as the victim’s brother-in-law.
According to arrest records, detectives gathered evidence over several months, including statements from family members and electronic communications. Authorities allege that text messages exchanged between Juarez and the victim began when she was 17 and contained messages of a sexual nature.
Court documents state that Juarez admitted to having sexual contact with the victim when she was 15 years old, following his arrest.
The investigation also included information provided by one of the victim’s sisters, who contacted law enforcement after learning about the allegations. She later shared text messages and expressed concerns that some family members were discouraging the victim from speaking with police, according to court records.
Experts who study child abuse cases have noted that offenders may seek to build trust not only with victims but also with family members and others around them, a process often referred to as grooming. Researchers say this can sometimes make disclosures more difficult and lead to resistance when allegations emerge.
Juarez remains in custody with a bond set at $350,000. The charges are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
