Border Officer Convicted for Kidnapping and Assaulting 15-Year-Old Arizona Girl

In a striking verdict, a Tucson jury has convicted Aaron Thomas Mitchell, a former U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer, on charges of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl in Douglas, Arizona, in 2022. The jury reached their decision after two days of deliberation, deeming Mitchell’s actions as grave violations of both legal and ethical standards.

On April 26, 2022, Mitchell, 29, accosted the girl as she was heading to school. Driving a red vehicle, he falsely identified himself as a law enforcement officer. According to Douglas police, he coerced her by asking for immigration documentation and strategically manipulated the situation to abduct her.

Mitchell was assigned to the Port of Douglas border crossing, and at the time of the incident, he wore a tactical vest emblazoned with “Police.” The Tucson Sentinel highlighted his arrest shortly after the crime, which drew widespread public attention and concern.

Following a two-week trial presided over by U.S. District Judge Rosemary Márquez, the jury found Mitchell guilty of multiple charges, including a federal civil rights offense. Prosecution statements indicated that his actions constituted aggravated sexual abuse and kidnapping, resulting in significant bodily injury to the victim. “The heinous crimes committed against a young middle school student by an individual sworn to uphold the law are unspeakable,” remarked Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.

During the trial, evidence showed that after handcuffing the girl, Mitchell transported her to an apartment in Sierra Vista, where he assaulted her for hours before abandoning her near her school with explicit threats to keep silent. The girl bravely reported the incident to friends and family, prompting immediate action from law enforcement.

Investigations led by the Douglas Police Department and the FBI resulted in Mitchell’s arrest shortly thereafter. During a police interview, Mitchell displayed a dismissive attitude, suggesting the victim should be concerned about his potential release. Furthermore, forensic evidence revealed that before and during the assault, Mitchell conducted searches related to rape and methods to silence a victim.

Mitchell faces sentencing on November 20, with the possibility of a life sentence, according to Justice Department officials. U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona, Gary Restaino, emphasized the betrayal of trust inherent in Mitchell’s actions, stating that law enforcement must maintain the highest ethical standards.

Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Phoenix Field Office, Jose A. Perez, echoed these sentiments, underscoring the FBI’s commitment to rooting out corruption within the ranks of law enforcement. The collaborative efforts of the Douglas Police Department and the FBI have been pivotal in bringing this case to justice.