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Tony Navarrete, a founding member of the legislature's LGBTQ+ caucus, maintains his innocence but says he's resigning to focus on his defense.
A gay Arizona state senator has resigned after being arrested and charged with sexual conduct with a minor.
Sen. Otoniel "Tony" Navarrete, 35, maintains he's innocent, but he submitted his resignation Tuesday, saying that responding to the charges would not allow him to give the needed attention to his legislative duties, The Washington Post reports.
"While I would love nothing more than to continue to serve the families of Arizona's 30th District, I worry it will be impossible to give my constituents the full attention they deserve. Therefore, I must resign my post as Arizona State Senator today," he wrote in an emailed statement. The district includes parts of Phoenix and Glendale.
"I adamantly deny all allegations that have been made and will pursue all avenues in an effort to prove my innocence," he added in a separate statement.
Navarrete was arrested August 5 after Phoenix police arranged for one of his accusers to call him and ask why Navarrete had molested him. The call was recorded, with the legislator apologizing.
Two teens had come forward last week to accuse Navarrete. One, who is now 16, "told detectives Navarrete first molested him at a home in Phoenix when he was 12 or 13 and continued to do so on several occasions until he was 15," the Post reports. Another, who is 13, "said Navarrete had once attempted to touch his genitals," according to the paper.
Navarrete was jailed until posting bond Saturday. He faces five felony charges -- five relating to sexual conduct with a minor, one for attempted sexual conduct with a minor, and one of child molestation, The Arizona Republic reports.
The lawmaker is a Democrat, and both Republicans and Democrats had called for his resignation. After he submitted it, Senate President Karen Fann, a Republican, and Senate Minority Leader Rebecca Rios, a Democrat, issued a joint statement: "This was the right thing to do, considering the serious allegations. We know the Arizona Judicial Branch will deliver justice and pray for healing and support for all victims."
Navarrete was elected to the Senate in 2018, after having served in the Arizona House, and was reelected last year. There will be an appointment to fill the remainder of his term in the Senate. While in the House, he became part of the first LGBTQ+ caucus in the Arizona legislature, formed in 2017. He has been placed on leave by his employer, Neighborhood Ministries, and will be terminated when the leave ends.
