A former U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agent has been convicted of kidnapping a teenage girl and subjecting her to sexual abuse.
Aaron Mitchell has been found guilty of a federal civil rights violation and kidnapping, with his actions including aggravated sexual abuse, abduction, and causing bodily harm to a minor. The jury reached their verdict on Friday, August 30, following two days of deliberation, as stated by the DoJ.
Throughout the course of the trial, the jury carefully examined the evidence that demonstrated Mitchell’s journey to Douglas, Arizona, on April 25, 2022. It was during this time that he took the 15-year-old girl, who was waiting outside her school, against her will. He approached her in a confrontational manner, insisting on seeing her identification, displaying his credentials, and asserting his authority to escort her to the police station.
However, instead of driving her there, he brought her to his apartment, restrained her with handcuffs, and subjected her to a horrifying ordeal of sexual assault for several hours. Following the assault, Mitchell brought the girl back near her school, cautioning her against reporting the incident. The teenager wasted no time in alerting her family, friends, and law enforcement about the horrifying incident.
“It is crucial for our law enforcement officers to safeguard the well-being of children, schools, and communities,” stated Gary Restaino, U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona. “The defendant’s actions have brought shame upon his badge and fellow officers, as he neglected his sworn duty and caused harm to the most vulnerable members of our society.”
“The atrocious acts perpetrated against a young middle school student by someone entrusted with enforcing the law are indescribable,” stated Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
The case was thoroughly investigated by the Douglas Police Department and the FBI Phoenix Field Office. Additional investigation uncovered that Mitchell had performed online searches pertaining to sexual assault and ways to intimidate victims prior to and during the incident. According to the Department of Justice, Mitchell made a concerning statement during his interview with the police, expressing a potential threat towards the girl.
Mitchell was taken into custody on July 28, 2022. The sentencing date has not been determined, but the Department of Justice has confirmed that he could potentially receive a life sentence.
A recent study conducted by Bowling Green State University sheds light on a concerning issue within law enforcement.
The study, which examined police officers arrested for sex-related crimes, revealed alarming statistics. Out of 3,383 criminal arrests between 2005 and 2017, a staggering 1,355 cases involved officers abusing their authority to commit these heinous acts. The study highlights the possibility of a higher figure due to a significant number of unreported cases.