PHOENIX – A Mesa Police Officer stands accused of engaging in sexual contact with two female victims without their consent and molesting a child under the age of 15, according to a Maricopa Grand Jury indictment. Justin Cherry (D.O.B. 7/5/1980) is charged with two counts of sexual assault and one count of sexual molestation of a child, a Dangerous Crime Against Children. All three charges are Class 2 felony offenses. Cherry self-surrendered this afternoon and remains in custody without bond.

“The alleged conduct of this defendant is not representative of the high degree of professionalism and integrity with which the Mesa Police Department carries out its duties,” said Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery. “As my office has demonstrated in the past, we will not hesitate to prosecute sworn peace officers when sufficient evidence exists to support charges of criminal conduct. Those we entrust with enforcing the law will be equally held to account when they violate it,” he added.

The charges against Cherry stem from investigations he conducted while on duty in 2013. An indictment is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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