David Cruz, 44, has been sentenced to two terms of life in prison plus 30 years for sex crimes against an 8-year-old girl.

In September 2023, the victim disclosed to her grandmother that Cruz had been touching her inappropriately for several months, and he told her not to tell. The girl and her grandmother lived with the defendant at the time.

When interviewed by Mesa Police, Cruz admitted to several sexual acts occurring with the victim but tried to deflect blame onto the girl.

During a bench trial, three separate confessions from Cruz were played, including a recorded jail call where he admitted to touching the victim. The girl also testified about the sexual abuse, which started when she was in second grade.

The judge found Cruz guilty of two counts of molestation of a child, a clas

See Full Page