Arizona ICAC Task Force - Holbrook PD & Navajo County S.O.
AZ - Holbrook PD, Navajo County SO, AZ DPS & Navajo County Attorney - Unlawful image suspect sentenced - (ICAC Task Force)
On May 25, 2007 Calvin Craig Bessent, age 44, was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison and lifetime probation after pleading guilty to state charges of furnishing harmful items to a minor and attempted sexual exploitation of a minor (child pornography). Bessent is unmarried and unemployed. He was living with his mother at the time of his arrest.
The investigation was handled by the Holbrook Police Department and the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators learned that on March 9, 2006 Bessent began an online relationship with a 15-year-old victim. During their communications Bessent had sent numerous pornographic images to the victim. A search warrant was served on Bessent’s residence and evidence was seized. Bessent made admissions to the offenses and was arrested. An Arizona Department of Public Safety forensic examiner reviewed the computer and found an unlawful image depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor.
This investigation was found to be linked to another ongoing case when it was leaned that the victim had also been communicating with another suspect. The case against the second suspect is pending.
The Navajo County Attorney’s Office handled the prosecution.