A Phoenix-area man has been sent to state prison after admitting to charges that he sexually exploited children, according to the Arizona Attorney General's Office. Gehrig Duarte was sentenced to 6.25 years behind bars, to be followed by lifetime supervised probation, and he will have to register as a sex offender. His guilty plea closes a criminal case that started with a multi-count indictment last winter tied to child sexual abuse material.
Attorney General's Office announces sentence
In a press release from the Arizona Attorney General's Office, Attorney General Kris Mayes said, "My office will continue to aggressively prosecute those who prey on minors and work to ensure they are held fully accountable under the law."
The release states that Duarte pleaded guilty on December 3, 2025, to three counts of Attempt to Commit Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, which are class 3 felonies and dangerous crimes against children. He was sentenced to 6.25 years in the Department of Corrections, followed by lifetime supervised probation and sex offender registration requirements.
How prosecutors say the case unfolded
A state grand jury returned a 10-count indictment on Dec. 30, 2024, according to an earlier announcement from the Attorney General's Office. Prosecutors say the case began with multiple online tips from electronic service providers, and that U.S. Homeland Security Investigations joined the probe.
Local coverage has also tied Duarte to Douglas High School in the Douglas Unified School District; KGUN 9 reported that the school confirmed his attendance.
Legal consequences and what comes next
Under the plea deal and sentence, Duarte will serve time in prison and then remain on lifetime supervised probation, which includes sex offender registration and ongoing monitoring conditions. Local outlets have echoed the Attorney General's account of the case and its outcome; FOX 10 Phoenix published a summary of the sentencing based on the AG's announcement.
Prosecutors said the Attorney General's Office plans to continue working with federal partners on cases involving child sexual abuse material.
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