Online sting operations in Arizona have become increasingly sophisticated, and many people do not realize they are walking into a trap until it is too late. Undercover officers often pose as minors to manufacture charges that carry life-altering consequences. The following signs reflect common patterns seen in these stings and can help you recognize when you are being targeted by Arizona undercover cops pretending to be minors online.

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1. Although you are in an adult hook-up space restricted to users 18 and older, the UC suddenly drops a reference like “playing hooky from school,” “being grounded,” “staying at grandma’s,” “hating high school,” “mean parents,” or something similar.

2. The UC makes a statement indicating they are “14,” “13,” or some other underage number. You may also see comments such as “I am young, is that okay?”, “I am inexperienced”, “Will it hurt?”, “I have to sneak out, meet me on a bench in the park or McDonald’s”, or any other indicator of youth.

3. Sometimes, a reference to a disability is used “I am learning disabled, so maps are hard for me,” “I hate school because I am kinda slow,” “I finally am out of my wheelchair and need to make up for lost time,” “I am autistic,” and similar comments.

4. You are instructed to meet the UC at a park, fast-food restaurant, or even an apartment/house rented out for the sting. The agents will not come to you. Officers want you in an open space to lure you from your vehicle due to concerns about possible weapons inside the car, which will be searched upon your arrest.

5. The UC will never send you naked photos, but they will ask you for them. Each explicit photo you send becomes a separate criminal charge if the UC has stated they are a minor. Requests often include pictures of your private parts along with your face.

6. Officers are prepared to send pictures, but no private part of UC will be shown. They often use “undercover civilian bait” actors whose photos are meant to reassure you. These actors look young, so officers can claim you intended to meet a minor. Agents may also have available agents to respond to “real-time” requests, such as taking a photo giving a peace sign, bunny ears, or sticking out their tongue.

7. The UC will pressure you to bring specific items, such as a stuffed animal, fast food, chocolate milk, or similar items. Undercover cops will aggressively push for photo proof that you have the item. This fact allows the state to charge Sex Trafficking because giving something “of value” to a minor for sex can be framed as prostitution with a child victim.

8. Certain questions will feel out of place, such as asking for your car’s make, model, or color, requesting a picture of your face, or asking for your birthday, because they are into astrology. They may also try to move the conversation to KiK or another platform outside the original forum. Do not follow them there.

9. The UC repeatedly references how the sex act might hurt because they are pretending to be young, scared, and inexperienced. Comments may include, “My friend Jenna said it might hurt if you are too big,” “I might bleed,” or “She said you need to go slow with me.” These statements build a case that you knew they were portraying themselves as underage.

10. The conversation may shift from a standard adult interaction to a mommy-daughter kink or “family fun” scenario. The UC then references that the daughter is underage and possibly disabled, and sometimes adds multiple minors into the scenario.

11. Regardless of what you say, they steer the conversation back to meeting up for sex. Even if you say you do not want sex and only want to talk, the UC continues pushing toward a sexual meet-up. If at any point you indicate that sex could follow, and the Arizona undercover officers have already told you they are a minor, they consider that enough to charge you.

If a person references being a minor online, stop the conversation immediately and block them. A charge of Luring a Child for Sexual Exploitation in Arizona can result in a lifetime requirement as a registered sex offender if convicted. Call Hallam Law Group for a free consultation. Our attorneys will meet you at the jail, at our office, or by phone if you need help. We care about our clients, and our trial experience, along with our white-glove service, set us apart.

Josephine Hallam

Ms. Hallam’s family has a deep-rooted legacy in the law, and she was raised with a respect and reverence for our legal system and our Constitution. Ms. Hallam dedicated the first part of her career as an attorney to public service. She was incredibly proud to work with attorneys at the Maricopa County Public Defender’s office who tirelessly advocated on behalf of indigent clients. She is now a proud criminal defense lawyer in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Years Of Experience: 27
Justia Profile: Josephine Hallam
Bar Number: 018557
Location: Phoenix, AZ

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