A San Tan Valley man has been arrested for child molestation after it was reported that he was in possession of pornographic pictures of a minor, according to a news release from the Pinal County Sheriff's Office.
Deputies say on Friday at 9:30 p.m. a woman reported to authorities that she had found pornographic pictures of her 10-year-old daughter on an SD card belonging to 30-year-old Charles Dean Garcia.
The woman had told deputies she confronted Garcia by phone about the photos and he "freaked out."
Deputies say Garcia was able to locate the woman and assaulted her as he unsuccessfully tried to get the SD card back. He then drove off in a 2002 Mercedes sedan.
The vehicle that Garcia had been driving was found abandoned in the area of Cambria and Chandler Heights.
Deputies say additional phone contact was made with Garcia who made suicidal statements and it was confirmed he was armed with a 9mm handgun. A statewide attempt to locate Garcia was sent to law enforcement agencies.
"Detectives were able to determine, Garcia had sexually molested and photographed not only the 10-year-old female but also another young female," Sheriff Paul Babeu said in the news release.
Babeu says on Saturday night a patrol sergeant received a tip from a concerned citizen on the whereabouts of Garcia. Deputies then set a perimeter around a residence near West Chandler Heights Road and North Gantzel Road.
Deputies felt that Garcia was inside of a camp trailer on the property, they opened the door and ordered Garcia to exit but he refused.
Garcia had tried to barricade himself inside but was unsuccessful, deputies used a Taser and were able to take him into custody, according to Babeu.
Babeu says Garcia was booked into the Pinal County Jail on five counts of Child Molestation and additional charges will be filed as the investigation continues.
"Charles Garcia used his position of trust with the family and committed unthinkable acts against two innocent young girls," Babeu said in the news release.
