2 Tucson Men Accused Of Luring Kids For Sex

TUCSON, AZ—Two men from Tucson are accused of trying to meet up with children for sex, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

On the morning of April 27, 2020, detectives said they got in touch with a man who was attempting to arrange a meeting with an underage victim. Detectives identified Juan C. Lopez, 33, of Tucson, as the suspect and arrested him the same day. Lopez faces charges of luring a minor for sexual exploitation and attempted sexual conduct with a minor.

Later that same evening, AZDPS officials said another detective contacted a different suspect, who also attempted to arrange a meeting with a minor for sexual purposes. The suspect, 18-year-old Luis A. Duarte, also of Tucson, was arrested the following night. Duarte faces charges of aggravated luring a minor for sexual exploitation and attempted sexual conduct with a minor.

“Protecting children from internet predators is a top priority for law enforcement everywhere, especially for our detectives assigned to the ICAC Task Force(link is external),” said Lt. Colonel Deston Coleman Jr., Assistant Director of the Criminal Investigations Division at AZDPS. “Taking these predators off the street will go a long way toward making Arizona safer. We stand ready to assist communities across the state in protecting vulnerable children against these criminals.”

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