On April 28, 2014 Pinal County Sheriff’s detectives arrested Tyler Kost, age 18, of San Tan Valley, for two counts of Sexual Assault and two counts of Sexual Conduct with a Minor.
A deputy Pinal County Attorney requested at the Initial Court Appearance, Judge Larry Wharton hold Tyler Kost in custody on a $100,000 bond due to the serious nature of the crimes.
Judge Wharton was informed in the probable cause paperwork there were 13 alleged victims and Kost had threatened to kill both victims and witnesses. Judge Wharton set his bond at $10,000 and that same day Tyler Kost was bonded out and released from custody.
Detectives were directed by Sheriff Paul Babeu to work around the clock investigating any and all claims his alleged sex crimes, including five flimsy cases which were reported after this case originally aired by the media. The earliest case so far discovered allegedly occurred in early 2011 and they continued through April of 2014.
On Thursday, May 01, 2014 Tyler Kost was re-arrested and booked into the Pinal County Jail for the following offenses:
• 7 counts of Sexual Conduct with a Minor (Dangerous Crime Against Children)
• 3 counts of Sexual Abuse (Dangerous Crime Against Children)
• 7 counts of Sexual Assault
• 7 counts of Sexual Conduct with a Minor
• 1 count of Sexual Abuse
Detectives have requested that he be held on a “NO BOND” status.
Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, “Serial rapist Tyler Kost was a predator who threatened, harassed, stalked and then either forcibly sexually abused or sexually assaulted his victims. After he was initially booked into custody, his victims felt a sense of relief but that was soon diminished after Judge Wharton set a low bond and he was ordered released from custody. Our office, the victims and the community knew Tyler Kost was a danger to society and he needed to be taken back into custody. Detectives worked around the clock on the cases of not only the first 13 victims but an additional 5 who were later discovered. Over 80% of female victims who are sexually assaulted or raped never report the crime to law enforcement. Once this case was initially reported, many victims have come forward. These young women have said, enough is enough and thanks to their courage, Tyler Kost is now behind bars where he can no longer continue to inflict pain on his victims.”