A former Arizona state lawmaker, Otoniel “Tony” Navarrete, has been sentenced to one year in prison for sexual misconduct with a minor. The sentencing comes after Navarrete was found guilty of one count of sexual misconduct with a child by a Maricopa County Superior Court judge.

The case against Navarrete, a first-term Democrat from Phoenix, stemmed from allegations that he engaged in sexual misconduct with a minor in 2019. The allegations involved inappropriate touching of a boy who was living with Navarrete at the time, starting when the boy was 12 or 13 years old and continuing until he was 15.

While Navarrete was found guilty of sexual misconduct with a minor, he was acquitted of charges of child molestation and having sexual conduct with a minor. Additionally, a charge of attempting to commit molestation of a child was dismissed by prosecutors.

Navarrete, 35, resigned from his post as a state senator following the allegations and was replaced by then-State Rep. Raquel Terán. He had served one term as a state representative before being elected to the state Senate in 2018.

In addition to his one-year prison sentence, Navarrete has been ordered to serve 10 years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender. His attorney plans to file an appeal against the verdict.

The sentencing of Navarrete highlights the consequences of sexual misconduct involving minors and underscores the importance of holding individuals in positions of power accountable for their actions.