A 35-year-old Scottsdale man is being held on a $250,000 cash-only bond after police say he had sexual contact with a 15-year-old girl more than 50 times and recorded some of the encounters, which were then shared online. According to investigators, the defendant lied about his age to win the trust of the girl and her family, and prosecutors have now opened a broad criminal case that could grow as more evidence is reviewed.
Timeline and alleged conduct
Prosecutors identify the suspect as Keith Ryan Schaper, 35, and say the victim first met him online when she was 13, before reconnecting with him in February 2026. From February through early July, the girl told detectives she repeatedly snuck out to meet Schaper, who allegedly picked her up in a gray Jeep Cherokee and drove her to two Scottsdale apartments where they had sexual encounters more than 50 times. Investigators and court records further allege that Schaper recorded some of those encounters, posted videos to Reddit and showed the teen how to smoke methamphetamine, according to FOX 10 Phoenix.
Charges and court hearing
Schaper was arraigned Friday on 20 felony counts that prosecutors say include multiple counts of sexual conduct with a minor, seven counts of commercial sexual exploitation of a minor, aggravated luring and one count of transferring a drug to a minor. A judge set bond at $250,000 cash-only and ordered him held in jail, with his next court date scheduled for July 23.
In the hearing, Schaper reportedly told the judge, "I have no intentions of continuing communication with the victim or any minor. I just want to work," and said he would be willing to wear an ankle monitor and accept limits on his internet use, per FOX 10 Phoenix. For now, the judge was not persuaded and kept him in custody.
NCMEC tips and online evidence
Investigators say the case was bolstered by online reports and digital files that made their way to law enforcement. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children operates the CyberTipline, which serves as the national clearinghouse for suspected child sexual exploitation reports. Recent data from the organization shows a major rise in tips that can help trace user accounts and files, and those referrals are then routed to local agencies such as Scottsdale police for follow-up, according to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
Local trend: sharing intimate content online
The arrest comes on the heels of other high-profile Valley cases involving intimate material shared online. In mid-July, a Gilbert man was charged after investigators said he posted intimate videos of an ex-girlfriend to Reddit, a case that attorneys noted shows how difficult it can be to remove images once they spread across the internet, as reported by Arizona's Family.
Legal implications
Under Arizona law, sexual conduct with a minor is a felony that can carry steep prison terms and require sex-offender registration. State statutes also allow enhanced sentences for repeated exploitation and for crimes that involve illegal drugs. The Arizona Department of Child Safety and state law spell out the definitions and potential penalties for offenses such as sexual conduct with a minor and dangerous crimes against children, which prosecutors can use as a roadmap when filing charges and seeking sentences, per the Arizona Department of Child Safety.
Defense attorneys generally stress that these kinds of allegations must be proven in court and that any defendant is presumed innocent unless and until a jury or judge finds otherwise.
What to watch next
Schaper remains in custody ahead of his July 23 court appearance while detectives continue to follow up on leads and review electronic evidence. Scottsdale police say the investigation is active and ongoing, and anyone with information is urged to contact the department. For now, the case remains a set of criminal allegations that prosecutors will have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
