by 
Louis Elvira
Former Kearny teacher, Louis Elvira, was sentenced to 112 years in the Department of Corrections after his recent conviction on nine counts relating to the molestation of a child.
In March, a Pinal County jury found the 58-year old Kearny man guilty on all counts, including two counts of sexual conduct with a minor, child molestation, five counts of sexual exploitation, and one count of public sexual indecency.
Back in 2011, the defendant inappropriately touched a 6-year-old child and then made the child perform a sexual act on him. A month later, a friend discovered a laptop belonging to the defendant with images of child pornography. Kearny Police confiscated the computer as part of their investigation and discovered multiple images of children under 15-years-old on the laptop.
After the child reported the incident, the defendant quit his job with the school and fled the state. Kearny Police caught up to him in Indiana and had him extradited back to Pinal County.
“Because we have such a high conviction rate, we have now decreased the sex offender per capita ratio to the absolute lowest in the state. The next highest county is now more than 300% higher in sex offenders per capita than Pinal County making Pinal the absolute safest in the state for our children. It is incomprehensible that this man forced a child to do what he did and then fled the state. I would like to thank our local law enforcement officers and those in Indiana who assisted with this case and brought the defendant back to Arizona to face his charges. A jury of his peers convicted him thanks to the courageous actions of a child who reported his criminal behavior to authorities,” said Pinal County Attorney Lando Voyles.
There are news or informational items frequently written by staff or submitted to the Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner, Superior Sun, Pinal Nugget or Oracle Towne Crier for inclusion in our print or digital products. These items are not credited with an author.
by by