MPD again hooks ex-cop in underage-sex sting

A Phoenix man is facing new sexual exploitation charges in another Maricopa police sting operation.

Christopher Butts, an ex-Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office detective, was arrested in March in Cobblestone Farms for allegedly soliciting sexual conduct and luring a minor for sexual exploitation from an individual he believed to be a 13-year-old girl.

Butts now faces new charges of aggravated luring of a minor for sexual exploitation, attempted sexual conduct with a minor and interfering with judicial proceedings from an Aug. 26 undercover operation in which Butts allegedly solicited sexual conduct from a girl he believed to be underage, police said.

Maricopa police created an account on a social media site known for casual sexual encounters with adults disguised as a young girl referred to as “UC” in the police report. Soon after joining, UC was contacted by a user named “Brandon,” who authorities allege was Butts, a Phoenix resident currently out on bond for his previous arrest, police said.

Butts was told of UC’s age multiple times and continued to converse, asking what a “sexy young woman” like her was doing on the social media app and expressing that he was “cool with younger” girls, police said.

Butts allegedly gave his phone number to UC and conversations continued through text message. Butts allegedly asked if they could meet up and continued to describe all the sexual acts he wanted to perform with the girl, including oral sex, intercourse and taking her virginity, police said.

When UC did not respond, he allegedly texted: “Just to be clear, we won’t be meeting up tomorrow or any other. I have no intention to engage in any type of sexual relations with a (minor).”

Police said Butts continued: “Meeting you with sexual intentions is a felony. I don’t feel like going to jail.”

UC replied and told Butts that he sounded like a police officer. Butts said he was not a cop and stated that UC was “really sexy” and allegedly sent nude images of himself later, according to police

Accoriding to police, a meeting between Butts and UC was planned for Aug. 27 in Casa Grande. Butts planned to bring her Chick-fil-A upon request. Around 5 p.m., he allegedly arrived at the designated meeting location and quickly fled, according to police. Butts said he noticed “several unmarked popo cars” and it spooked him, police said. He left Casa Grande and threw out the Chick-fil-A as it was evidence of the relationship with UC, according to police, who said Butts stopped texting UC that night.

On Sept. 2, Butts was arrested at his job at Big O Tires in Phoenix, police said. During an interview with officers, Butts allegedly stated he has frequent contact with minors but not in a “luring” way.

Butts was taken to 4th Avenue Jail in Maricopa County.