**Two Men Arrested for Allegedly Sexually Assaulting Minor After Road Trip from New Mexico**
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In a disturbing case that has drawn significant attention, Preston McKee, 22, and Brodie Hester, 21, have been apprehended under multiple felony charges involving sexual conduct with a minor. The arrests were made by the Phoenix Police Department on 5th August amid serious allegations of sexual assault against a 17-year-old girl.
According to court records, McKee and Hester undertook a six-hour drive to New Mexico after forming contact with the teenager through a dating application. Reports indicate that the girl had represented herself as being 18 years old during their interactions. However, the situation took a grim turn upon their return to Phoenix, where they were alerted to the girl’s true age by a detective’s phone call and the discovery of her state identification.
Once they arrived in Arizona, it is alleged that the two men took the girl to a hotel, where they subjected her to distressing abuse. In a forensic interview, she described how she was restrained with a “kinky mask” over her face, a ball gag placed in her mouth, and tied up before being sexually assaulted by both men. The ordeal reportedly ended with her being abandoned in the desert, prompting her to seek help from a nearby Chipotle restaurant.
While initially Hester claimed that he and the girl had only kissed, during subsequent police questioning, he confessed to having sexual relations with her on four separate occasions, including after they became aware of her real age. The laws in Arizona stipulate that the age of consent is 18, which makes these actions particularly serious.
McKee also admitted to having sexual relations with the teenager after he found out that she was underage. The admissions made during police interviews provided crucial evidence that contributed to the severity of the charges faced by both individuals.
Hester has been charged with three counts of sexual conduct with a minor and is currently held on a bond set at $251,000. McKee, facing two counts, is being held on a bond of $200,000. These financial obligations reflect the seriousness with which the authorities are treating the allegations.
Both men are scheduled to appear in court on 12th August as the judicial proceedings advance. The case has raised alarms surrounding the safety and protection of young individuals engaging with strangers through online platforms, highlighting the inherent risks associated with dating applications.
The Maricopa County Superior Court and the Phoenix Police Department were contacted for further comments on this ongoing case but had not responded as of the latest reports. Community discussions have also begun to surface concerning the need for enhanced protective measures for minors using social media and dating services.
With the investigation still underway, and both defendants facing serious felony charges, the legal proceedings promise to be closely scrutinised as more details emerge from what is both a tragic incident and a significant legal case. Authorities continue to stress the importance of safeguarding youth from potential exploitation in an era increasingly dominated by digital interactions.