Maricopa man sentenced to 10 years after tweeting explicit material involving children

A Maricopa man who was arrested in June has been sentenced to 10 years in prison on a conviction of possession of illicit pictures of minors, according to the Pinal County Attorney’s Office. 

On Feb. 27, Azeri Hanson, 22, pled guilty to sexual exploitation of a minor, dangerous crime against children, two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor in the second degree and preparatory dangerous crimes against children, the County Attorney’s Office stated in a press release.  

He now faces 10 years in the Arizona Department of Corrections system, followed by lifetime probation. 

In 2021, Homeland Security began an online investigation into an internet user they suspected of uploading files containing child sexual-abuse material to the internet. Investigators were also able to find a Twitter account posting explicit material on the platform. 

In March of 2022, the IP address used in the sharing of the images was identified as coming from Hanson’s residence on West Rio Bravo Drive, in Rancho El Dorado, according to PCAO. 

On June 16, 2022, HSI and Maricopa police collaborated in completing a search warrant of the Rancho El Dorado residence, where Hanson was arrested, Maricopa police reported. During the search of the home, HSI found and turned over 48 blue M30 pills and other assorted drug paraphernalia to Maricopa Police Department, which listed them for destruction.