Bureau of Public Affairs | Former Customs and Border Patrol agent found guilty of federal civil rights and kidnapping charges for sexually abusing and kidnapping minor victim

After two days of deliberation, a jury found former U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent Aaron Mitchell guilty of both a federal civil rights offense and a kidnapping charge for sexually abusing and abducting a minor victim. The jury also found that the defendant’s conduct amounted to aggravated sexual abuse, abduction, and bodily injury.

“The heinous crimes committed against a young high school student by an enforcer of the law are unspeakable,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This defendant had a duty to protect his community, but instead he abused his power, kidnapped, handcuffed and restrained a young girl and repeatedly abused her in his apartment for hours. With this verdict, the jury has done all of us a great service by holding this former federal law enforcement officer accountable. The Department of Justice will continue to stand up for victims of sexual abuse, especially children, and we will prosecute law enforcement officers who break the law to the fullest extent of our power.”

“We count on our law enforcement officers to protect children, schools and communities,” said U.S. Attorney Gary Restaino for the District of Arizona. “This defendant violated his badge and the badges of his colleagues by ignoring his oath and harming the most vulnerable among us. Thank you to the Douglas Police Department and the FBI for investigating this case with dedication and compassion, and for defending the rights of a courageous victim.”

“Mitchell not only broke his oath, but also the trust placed in him as a law enforcement officer. Public servants, especially law enforcement, must be held to the highest ethical standards. Those who fall short must be rooted out and held firmly accountable,” said Special Agent in Charge Jose A. Perez of the FBI Phoenix Field Office. “The FBI remains committed to exposing those who attempt to hide their violent acts behind the badge. We want to thank our investigators and the Douglas Police Department for their support and assistance in this case.”

During a two-week trial, jurors heard evidence showing that on the morning of April 25, 2022, Mitchell traveled to Douglas, Arizona, where he kidnapped a 15-year-old high school girl, held her captive, drove her to his apartment and sexually assaulted her.

According to evidence presented at trial, Mitchell found the child waiting for school to start, identified himself as a police officer, and asked to see her credentials. Then, after showing his police badge and identification, Mitchell ordered the child into his car, explaining that he was taking her to the police station. Instead, Mitchell drove the child several miles from her school, stopped, and restrained her hands and feet with two sets of handcuffs. The victim testified that after she was handcuffed, the defendant told her to do whatever he said because he didn’t want to hurt her.

After forcing the victim into his apartment, the suspect repeatedly assaulted her for several hours. Mitchell eventually drove the victim back to the high school where he had abducted her earlier that morning and reminded her not to tell anyone. The victim immediately reported the abduction and sexual assault to her friends, family members, and multiple law enforcement agencies. During an interview with police, the suspect exclaimed that the victim “better hope I don’t get out of here.”

An examination of the suspect’s cell phone revealed that the suspect had conducted numerous searches on rape and how to stop someone from screaming. While holding the child captive in his apartment, he also conducted an internet search on how long it takes to strangle someone.

A sentencing hearing will be set at a later date. Mitchell faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The Douglas Police Department and the FBI Phoenix Field Office, Sierra Vista Resident Agency investigated the case.

Assistant District Attorney Carin Duryee of the District of Arizona and Trial Attorney MarLa Duncan of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.