Goodyear man indicted for sexual exploitation of a minor

PHOENIX – On Wednesday, a local area man was indicted for sexual exploitation of a minor in a probe lead by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Jesse Anthony Garcia, 29, of Goodyear was charged with nine counts of sexual exploitation of a minor as confirmed by that Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich. Appearing before Judge Joseph Mikitish, Garcia was held to answer on a complaint filed March 24.

Garcia allegedly created nine image files containing visual depictions of a minor engaged in exploitative exhibition or sexual conduct between February and April 2016. HSI agents arrested Garcia March 22.

Garcia is currently being held in the Maricopa County jail in lieu of a $1,000,000 bond. Garcia has pleaded not guilty to the alleged charges.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Assistant Attorney General Todd Lawson is prosecuting this case.