A former Head Start worker in Sells is facing the possibility of life behind bars after admitting to abusive sexual contact with a young child nearly a decade ago.
Mario JB Juan, 39, of Sells, Arizona, pleaded guilty on June 26 to one count of abusive sexual contact of a child, admitting he engaged in sexual contact with a victim who was under 12 in 2015. Sentencing is set for October 8 before U.S. District Judge Angela M. Martinez. Juan was employed at the Head Start program in Sells at the time of the offense, and authorities say they want to hear from anyone who believes they may have been victimized or who has information about the case.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona, Juan admitted the sexual contact and faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The case is docketed as 25‑CR‑01242‑TUC‑AMM. The release states that the FBI’s Tucson office investigated, with assistance from the Tohono O’odham Nation Police Department, and asks anyone with information to contact the FBI.
Investigators Say They Are Seeking More Victims
Local TV outlets have echoed the federal announcement, reporting Juan’s June 26 guilty plea and the October 8 sentencing date. KGUN notes that the FBI’s Tucson office led the investigation with help from Tohono O’odham Nation police, and KOLD reported similar details drawn from the federal release as the case moved into the sentencing phase.
Federal Prosecution And The Broader Crackdown
Federal prosecutors say cases like this are part of a wider push to protect children from exploitation. The Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative coordinates U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, the FBI and local law enforcement in these prosecutions, the Department of Justice explains. The program is designed to improve how agencies detect and investigate child‑exploitation crimes, bring federal charges when appropriate and connect victims with services across jurisdictions.
Anyone who believes they were victimized by Juan or has information is urged to call the FBI at 1‑800‑CALL‑FBI or submit tips online, according to FBI Phoenix, which shared the request in a social post. The U.S. Attorney’s Office release repeats the same contact details as the case moves toward Juan’s October sentencing.
