Phoenix Sexual Extortion Lawyer

Sexual Extortion Charges Move Fast. So Should Your Defense.

If police have contacted you, seized your phone, reviewed your accounts, or accused you of using a threat to obtain sexual contact, images, recordings, or exposure, you need defense counsel now.

At MayesTelles, we defend serious sex crime cases in Phoenix and across Arizona. Sexual extortion is a felony, and when the allegation involves a child under 15, prosecutors may pursue Dangerous Crimes Against Children sentencing.

Why You Should Call Us After an Arrest

Reasons why we're trusted across Arizona for high-stakes criminal defense:

• Arizona’s #1 Criminal Defense Firm by Ranking Arizona for seven consecutive years. 
• 200+ years of combined experience defending criminal cases across Arizona. 
• Former prosecutors and law enforcement specialists who know how these cases are built.
• More than 1,000 acquittals and case dismissals secured for our clients.

One of our founding partners, David V. Telles, previously served as a prosecutor in the Sex Crimes Unit of the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, giving our defense team valuable insight into how prosecutors evaluate sexual extortion allegations, digital evidence, witness statements, and charging decisions. That background helps us anticipate how the State may frame messages, threats, images, and relationship context in sexual extortion cases.

Call (602) 428-7104 to discuss your case with a defense lawyer for free. Se habla español.

What Is Sexual Extortion in Arizona?

Under A.R.S. § 13-1428, a person commits sexual extortion, or “sextortion,” by knowingly communicating a threat with the intent to coerce another person to do any of the following:

• Engage in sexual contact or sexual intercourse
• Allow the person’s genitals, anus, or female breast to be photographed, filmed, videotaped, or digitally recorded
• Exhibit the person’s genitals, anus, or female breast

The statute defines “communicating a threat” as a threat to damage another person’s property, harm another person’s reputation, or produce or distribute a photo, film, video, or digital recording depicting sexual contact, sexual intercourse, or exhibition of intimate body parts. 

In plain terms, sexual extortion allegations often involve claims that someone threatened to expose, embarrass, harm, pressure, or damage another person unless that person agreed to sexual contact, sexual images, recording, or exposure. In Arizona, this is typically charged as a Class 3 felony.

Breaking Down the Elements of the Case

Sexual extortion cases often turn on the words used, the context of the communication, and whether the State can prove coercive intent. When you work with our defense attorneys at MayesTelles, we can examine:

• The alleged threat — What exactly was communicated, and does it meet the statutory definition? 
• Intent to coerce — Can the State prove the accused intended to force or pressure the other person into the conduct listed in the statute? 
• The requested act — Was the alleged threat tied to sexual contact, sexual intercourse, sexual recording, or sexual exposure? 
• Digital context — Do the full messages, timestamps, screenshots, account records, or deleted conversations support the State’s interpretation? 
• Identity and attribution — Can prosecutors prove who controlled the phone, account, profile, or device used to send the alleged communication? 

A harsh message, relationship argument, embarrassing communication, or threat to reveal information does not automatically prove sexual extortion. The State must prove the required threat, intent, and connection to the prohibited sexual conduct or exposure. That's why you need an experienced defense team in your corner.

Penalties for Sexual Extortion in Arizona

Sexual extortion under A.R.S. § 13-1428 is generally a Class 3 felony. If the alleged victim is under 15, sexual extortion is a Class 2 felony and is punished under Arizona’s Dangerous Crimes Against Children statute.

For a first-time offender, Arizona’s Class 3 felony sentencing range is 2 to 8.75 years in prison, with a presumptive term of 3.5 years. ARS 13-1428 also includes strict limits on probation, suspension of sentence, pardon, and release. 

Federal charges may also be possible when alleged conduct involves online platforms, interstate communications, or a minor victim. Depending on the facts, prosecutors may consider sextortion-related charges involving cyberstalking, blackmail, or production of child pornography, which can carry severe mandatory minimum penalties.

Defending Against Sexual Extortion Charges

Sexual extortion cases are often built from communications. Police may collect text messages, screenshots, social media records, call logs, phone extractions, cloud records, photos, videos, or account data. 

In many cases, defense strategies will consider:

• Whether the messages are complete or selectively presented 
• Whether screenshots are authentic, altered, or missing context 
• Who controlled the phone, account, or profile 
• Whether police obtained devices or accounts lawfully 
• Whether the alleged threat matches the statute 
• Whether the State is reading coercive intent into a disputed personal exchange 

Call Us 24/7 to Speak with a Lawyer for Free

If you were arrested, charged, or contacted by police about sexual extortion allegations, our Phoenix sexual extortion defense attorneys at MayesTelles can help. We take calls 24/7, so there's no better time to act than now.

Call (602) 428-7104 or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation.