The Case Against Buckeye Principal Not Pursued by Maricopa County Attorney’s Office
BUCKEYE, Ariz. — The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office has decided not to pursue a case against Joe Kinney, a former Buckeye principal accused of enticing a minor. This decision comes despite the Buckeye Union High School District Governing Board voting to fire Kinney on Monday night.
Kinney had been placed on administrative leave in September following allegations of exchanging sexually explicit messages online with an undercover officer posing as a 12-year-old girl. Documents revealed that Kinney requested nude photos and made inappropriate requests, despite being reminded of the girl’s age by the officer.
The suspect claimed the conversations were a form of “role-playing” and denied having any attraction to children. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office cited a lack of reasonable likelihood of conviction in their decision not to file charges against Kinney.
The office explained that the crime of luring requires proof that the suspect believed they were communicating with a minor, which was not possible in this case as the communication was with an undercover officer. Without evidence of intent to engage in sexual conduct with a minor, prosecutors were unable to move forward.
This is a developing story, and 12News is working to gather more information. It is important to note that while Kinney was arrested, he was never formally charged in connection to this incident.
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