On October 31, 2023, Special Crimes Enforcement Team (SCET) detectives received information from a concerned citizen that Round Valley Police Department Officer Ismael Amaya-Molina had sexual relations with an underage female.
SCET Detectives investigated multiple leads, conducted several interviews, and executed search warrants.
Based on information obtained during the investigation, on November 9th, 2023, Apache County SCET Detectives and Patrol Deputies placed Amaya-Molina under arrest.
Ismael Amaya-Molina was booked into ACSO Jail on the following charges: Sexual Misconduct with a Minor, Sexual Molestation of a Child, and Stalking.
Investigative Journalist’s with Mountain Daily Star (MDS) checked the public Apache County Jail incarcerated and arrest data base and Amaya-Molina is not presently listed. MDS reached out to Apache County Public Information Officer Jesse Robinson, he said,” Amaya is at ACSO jail in St. John’s, presently.”
” The investigation is ongoing, Apache County Sheriff’s Deputies and Detectives have been working the case non-stop for a couple days,” said Robinson.
Amaya-Molina has worked for Round Valley PD for approximately 1.5 years and graduated from the Northeastern Arizona Law Enforcement Training Academy (NALETA) hosted by Northland Pioneer College (NPC) on December 27, 2022. Amaya-Molina was sponsored by Springerville Police Department. Springerville PD merged with Round Valley and Round Valley is the agency that employed Amaya-Molina.
“The public’s trust is a top priority within the Apache County Sheriff’s Office. As this investigation continues, we encourage anyone who may have further information to contact Apache County SCET Detectives at 928-337-4321,” Wrote Robinson in the press release.
Mountain Daily Star will update this story when the charges are public and will follow this story in its entirety. The publics trust in Law Enforcement is of the utmost importance and our staff will not let this story rest. Crimes against our local children will never be ignored and especially when these crimes are allegedly committed by our most trusted. A special thank you to SCET and ACSO for listening and investigating.
Molly K Ottman Executive Editor/Journalist for Mountain Daily Star.