On Saturday, April 11th, 2015 at 12:13 p.m. the San Tan Valley suspect, Loren Shepherd, arrested for sexual assault on a minor 9-1-1 Communications Center received a call from a mother who reported a family acquaintance that was 26-years-old had sexually assaulted her 14-year-old daughter.
A deputy responded to a residence outside of Florence and first spoke with the victim’s mother and step-father. The deputy was told that the stepfather of the 14-year-old victim came home early from work and found 26-year-old Loren Shepherd in the shower with her. Shepherd was known to the family and fled the scene upon being confronted by the victim’s stepfather.
PCSO Persons Crimes detectives responded to investigate the incident. A forensic interview with the victim, conducted at the Pinal County Attorney’s Office Family Advocacy Center in San Tan Valley, revealed that Shepherd had forced sexual acts upon the victim several weeks prior, and was attempting to force additional sexual acts when the victim’s stepfather interrupted him. The victim reported that Shepherd had displayed a weird sexual attraction towards her for several weeks prior to this incident. The victim said that she didn’t tell her parents because he threatened to “harm” her and she “would pay” if she told anybody.
On Wednesday, April 15th, 2015 detectives worked with the Pinal County Attorney’s Office and the case went to a Grand Jury who indicted Shepherd for several felony offenses and a warrant for his arrest was issued.
On Thursday, April 16th, 2015, PCSO Detectives with assistance from the United States Marshal’s Service and the Avondale Police Department, arrested Loren Shepherd at his residence in Avondale. Shepherd told PCSO detectives that he could not think of any reason why the victim would report the incident if it was not true, but denied having any sexual contact with the victim.
Loren Shepherd was booked into the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Jail on warrants charging him with 2 counts of Kidnapping (Dangerous Crimes Against Children), 3 counts of Sexual Conduct with a Minor (Dangerous Crimes Against Children), 1 count of Attempted Sexual Conduct with a Minor (Dangerous Crimes Against Children) and 1 count of Sexual Abuse (Dangerous Crimes Against Children). Shepherd will be held without bond, pending extradition to Pinal County.
Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, “The vast majority of sex crime victims never report the offense out of fear. This 14-year-old victim was scared to tell anyone out of fear due to the fact, Shepherd held her hands behind her back and choked her with his other hand on her neck while he forcible sexually assaulted her the first time. Victims need to know law enforcement will stand with them to ensure they are safe if they report crimes. Shepherd is now behind bars where he can no longer intimidate this victim or harm her.”