On January 7, 2016, 25-year-old Phoenix resident Ruben Castellanos was arrested for charges including Sexual Conduct with a Minor and Furnishing Liquor to a Minor.
Without many positive initial leads, detectives began the task of identifying and locating the suspect. Their work included follow-up on social media sites and obtaining evidence from the hotel where the suspect rented a room. After the suspect’s name was discovered, a vehicle registered to the suspect was identified that matched the description provided by the victim along with evidence from hotel video.In late November of 2015, detectives developed information from an unrelated case involving sexual conduct between an adult male and a 15-year-old girl occurring in the Cordes Lakes area.
It was determined the male initiated contact with the victim via social media while lying about his age, claiming he was 18-years-old. He also provided a false name. During the ongoing social media exchange, the male who was later identified as Ruben Castellanos, was able to convince the victim to meet him at an agreed location in the Mayer area. Suspect Castellanos was aware the victim was 15-years-old prior to this meeting. In mid-September of 2015, the suspect drove from Phoenix and met the victim. He transported her to a previously rented hotel room in the area, provided liquor to her and engaged in sexual intercourse. The victim also noted the suspect was armed, but never threatened her.
Detectives eventually tracked Castellanos to his home in Phoenix on January 7, 2016, and during an interview, he admitted to sexual contact with the victim knowing she was 15-years-old. He was arrested and booked at the Camp Verde Detention Center on the indicated charges. Bond has not been set.