Former Sun City firefighter Nicholas Michael Cruz is headed to prison for 35 years after admitting he sexually abused multiple underage girls, according to authorities. The sentence, handed down Monday in Maricopa County Superior Court, closes a sprawling case that investigators say stretched across several West Valley homes and years of abuse uncovered by a Goodyear Police Department probe.
As reported by AZFamily, Cruz, 42, pleaded guilty to sexual conduct with a child and child molestation in a deal negotiated with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors said the 35-year prison term reflects both the seriousness of the charges and the strength of the evidence gathered during the investigation.
Detectives said the victims were between 7 and 16 years old and that the abuse dated from 2012 through 2024. Investigators also reported finding hundreds of illicit images on Cruz’s electronic devices, according to AZFamily. In a written statement, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said “this defendant caused irreparable harm to five young girls” and credited Goodyear detectives and sex-crimes prosecutors for their work on the case.
Charges and penalties under state law
Arizona law classifies sexual conduct with a minor and molestation of a child as serious felonies, outlined in A.R.S. §13‑1405 and A.R.S. §13‑1410. When conduct meets certain statutory criteria, sentences can be increased under Arizona’s Dangerous Crimes Against Children provisions. Convictions for these offenses typically bring lengthy prison time along with post-release supervision or registry requirements that follow defendants long after they leave custody.
Investigation, extradition and local impact
Goodyear detectives said the case began when a child disclosed abuse to a parent in June 2024, triggering an investigation that eventually led officers to Cruz in Palm Springs. He was later extradited back to Maricopa County. Cruz was reported to have worked for the Sun City Fire and Medical Department, whose administrative office is listed in Sun City. The plea and sentencing drew public praise from county prosecutors for the work done by local investigators and sex-crimes specialists.
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office said the plea agreement and sentence were intended to hold Cruz accountable while sparing the victims the ordeal of a lengthy public trial. Officials noted that records and victim-services contacts are available through the Goodyear Police Department, and survivors can seek additional support through county and national assistance resources.
