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 9, 2023, Apache County SCET Detectives and Patrol Deputies arrested Amaya-Molina.
Ismael Amaya-Molina was booked into ACSO Jail on the following charges: Sexual Misconduct with a Minor, Sexual Molestation of a Child, and Stalking per the ACSO press release.
The Stalking charge is not listed among the current charges notated in the Apache County Jail incarcerated and arrest database. Mountain Daily Star Investigative Journalists contacted Apache County Sheriff Office Public Information Officer Jesse Robinson, who wrote in an email, “After his initial appearance, the county attorney may have pulled that charge pending further investigation.”
It’s also not clear where and when Amaya-Molina will appear before a Judge due to being placed into protective custody.
“At this point, he has been placed in protective custody for his own safety,” said Robinson.
Round Valley Police Department Chief Merrill wrote in a press release, “We would like to thank the Apache County Sherriff’s Office for their professionalism regarding the investigation of the criminal allegations of one of our Round Valley Police Department employees. The accurate and transparent sharing of information within our community is the utmost importance to us.”
This is an ongoing story-you can find the first part of the story on our Facebook page with more details about Ismael Amaya-Molina.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100034784181979
Molly K Ottman Executive Editor/Journalist for Mountain Daily Star.