By Gila Herald Staff
DUNCAN — A 25-year-old Duncan man faces serious felony charges after authorities say he sexually abused a girl under the age of 15, whom he targeted through the social media app Snapchat.
Jared William Spivey was arrested on Monday, June 1, by the Greenlee County Sheriff’s Office following a detailed investigation into allegations of sexual conduct with a minor. Spivey has since been formally charged with two counts of sexual conduct with a minor and one count of transmitting obscene material to a minor.
According to a sheriff’s office report, the investigation began on May 13 when law enforcement responded to Fairgrounds Road in Duncan regarding a child molestation call.
The victim reported that the abuse occurred between July and August of 2025. The girl explained to authorities that she had been sneaking out of her family’s RV off Old West Highway at night to meet Spivey. On multiple occasions, Spivey picked her up near the Ranch House Restaurant and took her to his residence on McCarty Trail, where the sexual abuse took place.
The case was then passed onto the investigations unit of the Greenlee County Sheriff’s Office, and a forensic interview with the victim was coordinated through the Child Advocacy Center in Tucson.
The Danger in the Pocket: Snapchat and Online Grooming
This case shines a harsh light on a growing modern danger: the ease with which sexual predators use popular social media applications like Snapchat to target, groom, and exploit minors.
According to police reports, Spivey and the victim connected on Snapchat after the victim had a falling out with a mutual acquaintance. Spivey seized on this vulnerability, adding her under the username “spivey76” and beginning a pattern of direct messaging that quickly escalated from digital communication to secret, real-world meetings and severe physical abuse.
Law enforcement and digital safety experts repeatedly warn parents about the unique dangers platforms like Snapchat pose to teenagers. Features such as disappearing messages, location-sharing, and rapid, unmonitored direct access allow predators to operate in total secrecy, often building a false sense of intimacy and trust with a child right under a parent’s roof.
In this instance, the victim eventually moved away to her father’s house, breaking contact. However, Spivey allegedly reached out to her again three weeks ago. Upon discovering that Spivey had a wife and a child on the way, the victim reached out to inform his wife of the past abuse and subsequently filed for and received a formal order of protection against him.
Low Bond Stirs Frustration from Sheriff, Community
Following the arrest, Greenlee County Sheriff Eric Ellison posted a public statement on social media:
“After an investigation into allegations of sexual conduct with a minor, a Duncan man was arrested and charged this morning. Further investigation is pending and may include other victims.”
However, he was released just two days later after posting bond. Spivey had an initial appearance in front of Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Mindy Claridge, who set a cash bond of $10,000 on two counts of sexual conduct with a person less than 15 years of age and a count of transmitting obscene material to a minor. The bond amount is many times lower than is often seen for the same charges in Graham County.
Despite the seemingly low bond amount and subsequent release, Sheriff Ellison was adamant that perpetrators would face justice in Greenlee County.
“The Greenlee County Sheriff’s Office is diligent in apprehending sexual predators out of our community, and we will continue to protect our community from this type of behavior,” he said.
Authorities believe Spivey may have targeted other local teenagers, and the investigation remains active. According to the Sheriff’s Office, Spivey reportedly relies on befriending young people to gain their trust. Since his arrest, additional suspected victims have begun coming forward to investigators, which may result in further criminal charges down the line.
Spivey posted the $10,000 bail and has been released from jail pending his next court appearance. A protection order remains in effect, and community members are urged to remain vigilant and keep minors away from the defendant.
Anyone with additional information regarding Jared Spivey or potential related incidents is strongly encouraged to contact the Greenlee County Sheriff’s Office.
