Former NC Democratic Party county chair pleads guilty to child sex crime



A former North Carolina Democratic Party county chairman pleaded guilty to charges related to a sex crime he committed against a 14-year-old in 2019.

Daniel Ray Green, 67, was sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty to a felony charge of indecent liberties with a minor, one charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, one charge of providing wine, liquor or a malt beverage to a minor and one charge of disseminating obscene material to a minor.

Green had previously led the Catawba County Democratic Party, as well as serving as a judge in the Catawba County Superior Court.

He was arrested in 2019 after police were called to a hotel where a 14-year-old claimed that Green had given him alcohol, showed him pornography, and then committed an act of sexual assault on the boy.

The boy said he got away from Green when he pretended to go out to get ice from the hotel's ice machine.

The Asheville Police Department said that the victim had known Green before the incident.

In addition to being the head of the Catawba County Democratic Party, Green was actively involved in his community. He was the president of the Western Piedmont Symphony and was named "Citizen Lawyer of 2018" by the North Carolina Bar.

"The outcome of this case demonstrates that Judge Daniel Ray Green was not protected by his privilege," said District Attorney Todd Williams.

"He is being held accountable for his acts thanks foremost to the courage of the survivor in disclosing these traumatic crimes," added Williams. "I wish the young survivor peace and healing. Further, I commend the survivor's family for supporting him throughout the prosecution and applaud APD's coordinated and effective investigatory work in tandem with partners at the Mountain Child Advocacy Center, which was indispensable."

Green was also permanently disbarred from practicing law, must register as a sex offender for 30 years, and pay restitution of $3,715 for the boy's medical bills.

Here's a news report about his arrest in 2019:

Former Catawba County Superior Court Judge Charged with Sex Crimes Against a Childwww.youtube.com

Arizona police say they have audio of Democratic state senator admitting to child molestation



A Democratic Arizona state senator was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting two teenaged brothers, and police say they have him on audio admitting to the crimes.

Sen. Otoniel "Tony" Navarrete of Phoenix was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of having sexual conduct with a minor, police said.

The openly gay 35-year-old Democrat is accused of inappropriately touching a boy who was 14 at the time of the incident in 2019.

According to Maricopa County Superior Court documents, one of the victims claimed that Navarrete touched him and performed sex acts on him more than five times from the time he was about 12 or 13 years old until he was 15 years old.

Police say they recorded Navarrete talking to one of the victims and admitting to the molestation.

"Of course, I regret any bad actions that I did, absolutely wishing everything could be different. I'm sorry, mijo," Navarrete was quoted as saying on the recording. Police say he was not aware they were recording the call.

When the victim, who is now 16 years old, asked Navarrete why he touched the boy's penis, he reportedly replied that he was "not well."

Navarrete made his first appearance in court via an iPad because he is also infected with the coronavirus with mild symptoms despite being vaccinated.

#BREAKING: Authorities release mugshot for Arizona state Senator Tony Navarrete, who's accused of sexual conduct with a minor. https://t.co/cZw5gEvnNF pic.twitter.com/rx4IfkplLP
— FOX 10 Phoenix (@FOX10Phoenix) August 6, 2021

Police recommended seven felony charges including three counts of sexual conduct with a minor and one count of molestation of a child.

Navarrete's attorney pressed for a more lenient bond of $15,000 on the basis that he had cooperated with police, but the judge ordered a $50,000 bond. He added some conditions to the bond including the forfeiture of Navarrete's passport.

Dems demand resignation

Many of Navarrete's legislative colleagues called for his resignation after the details of the charges were released.

"Like many in our community, I am grieving as more details come out about the charges against my Senate seatmate. I am calling on Senator Otoniel 'Tony' Navarrete to resign immediately. We are elected to protect the most vulnerable, and that begins with our children," tweeted state house member Raquel Teran.

"In light of these disturbing charges, House and Senate Democrats are calling on Senator Navarrete to resign immediately. Abuse of this kind is intolerable and our hearts go out to the victims," read a statement from Arizona House Democrats.

"Although every person is granted the right to a fair trial, we believe that it is in the best interest of the residents in Legislative District 30 that Sen. Navarrete resign immediately," said a statement from the Young Democrats of Arizona.

Navarrete had been an outspoken critic of former President Donald Trump.

Here's more about the stunning arrest of Navarrete:

AZ legislator Tony Navarrete arrested for alleged sexual conduct with a minor | LiveNOW From FOXwww.youtube.com