Man faces child prostitution charges after victim’s video prompts investigation

A Maricopa man was arrested on charges of child prostitution Tuesday, after video footage surfaced reportedly showing the man soliciting sexual acts from two local female teenagers.

Michael Yousif, 46, was arrested and charged with four crimes related to an incident caught on camera one day prior where he allegedly approached the victims, ages 17 and 19, near Copper Sky Regional Park, offering them alcohol and cash, and soliciting sexual acts.

In video footage covertly taken by one of the victims, Yousif is heard offering to take them to “party” at a hotel in Chandler and that he would pay for everything, including alcohol.

After the incident, Maricopa Police spokesperson Ricardo Alvarado said the victims brought the video to police. Upon reviewing the footage, MPD detectives decided to question Yousif.

Yousif denied any wrongdoing in the initial interview.

Unsure if the evidence was strong enough to charge him with child prostitution, detectives released Yousif pending further investigation.

After conferring with the county attorney, Alvarado said, the decision was made to arrest and charge him with loitering and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

“We all believed what his intentions were, but we couldn’t say what they were until he said what they were,” Alvarado said. “Then we had the chance to sit down with him and interview him more in depth.”

While in police custody Yousif allegedly confessed his true motives.

According to a report released by MPD, Yousif told detectives he “offered to pay all expenses, to include transportation, hotel room in Chandler, and alcohol to ‘get the party started and help them relax.’”

Based on the statements made to investigators he was further charged with one count of child prostitution and one count of transporting or financing the transportation of any minor with the intent to engage in prostitution.

In all, Yousif was booked on four charges related to the incident and is being held at the Pinal County Detention Center in Florence. His bond is set at $20,000.

A suspect found guilty of child prostitution as a first-time offense faces 10-24 years in prison.