Two for one child predators nabbed in Duncan

Contributed Photo/Courtesy Greenlee County Sheriff's Office: The Greenlee County Sheriff's Office in conjuction with Homeland Security served a warrant in Duncan on Thursday and arrested two men on child sexual exploitation charges.

By Jon Johnson

jonjohnsonnews@gmail.com

DUNCAN – A multi-month investigation resulted in the arrest of two alleged child predators living in the same residence in Duncan on Thursday after the Greenlee County Sheriff’s Office was joined in a search warrant by the Homeland Security Investigation Unit. 

Upon execution of the warrant, more evidence was also located to charge a second suspect. 

Michael Lee, 64, and Randal Jabaay, 63, were both arrested and booked into the Greenlee County Jail, each on 15 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. This is a charge given for possession of child sexual abuse material.

According to the Greenlee County Sheriff’s Office, the case began as sextortion, or sex extortion, in which a suspect was using compromising visual material to blackmail a victim. That aspect of the case remains under investigation and additional charges are possibly forthcoming.  

“Greenlee County Sheriff’s Office will not tolerate crimes against children,” Sheriff Eric Ellison said. “We will be diligent in our efforts to stop any sexual predators who prey on our citizens.”