(Phoenix, Arizona) – In April of this year, a jury found Hugo Molina-Torres of Mesa guilty of molesting and having sexual conduct with an 11-year-old female. On Friday, a judge sentenced Molina-Torres to life in prison with the possibility of community supervision after 35 years for the crimes committed.

In March of 2021, the victim told a school resource officer of the abuse that dated back to 2020. Mesa Police detectives investigated the allegations and interviewed the defendant who ultimately admitted to the crimes.

“This case is an excellent example of school personnel, law enforcement, and the prosecutor’s office working together to bring justice to a victim of sexual abuse,” stated County Attorney Rachel Mitchell. “Thanks to the courage of this victim, along with the work of the trusted adults in her life, this perpetrator will no longer be able to abuse any other child in our community.”

Molina-Torres was found guilty on one count of Molestation of a Child and one count of Sexual Conduct with a Minor, both Class 2 Felonies and Dangerous Crimes Against Children. The count of Sexual Conduct with a Minor carries a mandatory life in prison sentence.