51-year-old accused of molesting 8-year-old

51-year-old Rigoberto Flores is facing 3 Felony counts to include sexual assault, sexual conduct with a minor, and child molestation.

According to Buckeye Lt. Larry Hall, “He admitted to be involved with sexually with this 8 year old.” 

Police say the family of the little girl and Flores’ family were friends.

“Apparently they might have known each other for years and I guess at one point the victim’s family felt comfortable enough with the suspect to watch the 8-year-old for some period of time.”

Joseph Jordan who has lived next to Flores for years was devastated to learn of the charges.

“I can’t see it…I can’t understand it, he’s not that kind of person,” said Jordan. 

Jordan described Flores as a hardworking man and believes the accusation doesn’t match Flores’ character.

“I can’t picture that, I can’t picture that at all.”

A man who identified himself as Flores’ brother tells ABC15 their family is very upset with the 8-year-old’s family.

He said it, “was her fault too…she pressured him.”  The man did not reveal his name.

Meantime, Buckeye Police are concerned there may be other victims.

Flores lives across the street from Buckeye Elementary School. 

If you have any information, call the Buckeye Police Dept. at (623) 349-6407.

Police said a Buckeye man, accused of sexually assaulting an 8-year-old girl, met his victim in church.
 
51-year-old Rigoberto Flores was arrested Thursday.
Police said the sexual assault took place inside Flores’ home.
 
Investigators said Flores volunteered at the Kingdom Hall of the Jehovah’s Witness church in Buckeye where he met the girl.
 
Church leaders told ABC15 Flores was not an actual member of the church, but they are taking the allegations very seriously.
 
Flores faces several felony charges including sexual assault with a minor, molestation of a child, and sexual conduct with a minor.
 
Friday night, ABC15 reported that Flores’ brother said the 8-year-old is also responsible for what happened.
 
Buckeye police tell ABC15 Gabe Flores also told them he felt the little girl’s family should not be doing this to his brother.
 
In his statement to police the brother said what happened was, “…not rape, it was something, but it was not rape.”
 
Court records reveal that back in 2005 the Goodyear Municipal Court found Rigoberto Flores guilty of indecent exposure.
 
Investigators are concerned that in his volunteer work he may have assaulted other children.
 
Buckeye police are urging anyone who suspects their child was a victim of Flores to call (623) 349-6407.