In an announcement that brings a chilling case to a close, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell has confirmed that David Cruz has been handed down a severe sentence for preying on a young child. According to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, Cruz, born in February 1981, received two life terms plus an additional 30 years for his crimes against an 8-year-old girl.
This sentencing arrived after a disclosure was made by the young victim to her grandmother, with whom she lived along with Cruz. The reported violations spanned several months, a period marked by coercion and terror, as Cruz warned the child to keep the abuse a secret. When Mesa Police interviewed him, Cruz attempted to shift some blame onto the victim, even though he admitted to the sexual acts.
In what amounted to a grueling bench trial, the prosecution played three separate confessions from Cruz for the court. This included one particularly damning piece of evidence, a recorded jail call where Cruz did not contest that he had inappropriately touched the victim. The strength of an 8-year-old girl shone through when she bravely testified about the abuse that began when she was just stepping into the world of second grade.
Mitchell noted the remarkable courage the child displayed, standing in court and relaying her harrowing experiences. "It takes unimaginable courage for a child to testify in court about such trauma," Mitchell said. "Her strength not only helped bring a dangerous predator to justice but also sends a powerful message that victims will be heard and protected," sharing the sentiment in a statement by the Maricopa County Attorney's Office. The judgment pronounced Cruz guilty of two counts each of Molestation of a Child and Sexual Conduct with a Minor—both Class Two Felonies and deemed Dangerous Crimes Against Children.
