In April, Pinal County Prosecutor April Holley presented a case in a jury trial and Richard Novak of Apache Junction was found guilty on multiple counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. On May 13, Mr. Novak was sentenced to serve 102 years in prison.

On Dec. 17, 2019, the Arizona Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force was contacted by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in reference to a cyber tip. NCMEC received a report that an individual associated with a specific email address had uploaded multiple sexually explicit images of children, according to a release from the Apache Junction Police Department.

Apache Junction Police Detective Steven Jeansonne and other detectives began an investigation that resulted in the issuance of multiple search warrants, interviews and the examination of multiple electronic devices seized from an apartment in the area of Montebello and Winchester. The case was presented to the grand jury and 59-year-old Mr. Novak was indicted on multiple counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, the release states.