Aaron Mitchell, a former U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent, has been found guilty of a federal civil rights offense and kidnapping after abducting and sexually assaulting a 15-year-old middle school student. The verdict came after a jury deliberated for two days, concluding that Mitchell's actions included aggravated sexual abuse, kidnapping, and resulted in bodily injury.
The incident occurred on the morning of April 25, 2022, when Mitchell traveled to Douglas, Arizona. According to evidence presented at trial, he encountered the young girl waiting for school to start. Posing as a law enforcement officer, Mitchell asked the child for her papers and flashed a police badge and credentials. He then ordered her into his car under the pretense of taking her to a police station.
Instead of heading to the station, Mitchell drove the girl miles away from her school. He pulled over, restrained her hands and feet with two pairs of handcuffs, and warned her to comply to avoid being hurt. Mitchell then took the victim to his apartment in Sierra Vista, where he sexually assaulted her repeatedly over several hours.
Mitchell later returned the girl to the area of her school, where he had initially abducted her. Before letting her go, he warned her not to tell anyone. The victim immediately reported the assault to friends, family members, and law enforcement agencies.
During a subsequent interview with the police, Mitchell reportedly told them, "better hope I don't get out of here."
An examination of Mitchell's cellphone revealed disturbing evidence, including numerous internet searches related to rape, how to stop someone from screaming, and, while the victim was held captive in his apartment, how long it takes to smother someone.
"This defendant had a duty to protect his community, but instead, he abused his power, kidnapped, cuffed, and restrained a young girl, and repeatedly sexually assaulted her in his apartment for hours," said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division.
A sentencing hearing for Mitchell will be set at a later date. He faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
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