Border watchdog founder convicted of molesting girl

PHOENIX — An Arizona jury on Wednesday convicted a founder of the Minuteman borderwatch group of molesting one young girl, but it acquitted him of engaging in sexual conduct with another.

Christopher Allen Simcox was found guilty on charges that he molested a 5-year-old girl and showed her pornography. He was acquitted of the more serious charges that he engaged in sexual conduct with a 6-year-old girl.

A molestation conviction carries a sentence of 10 to 24 years in prison. Simcox, 55, is scheduled to be sentenced on July 5.

Prosecutors alleged that Simcox molested the younger girl and engaged in sexual conduct with the older girl during an 11-month period ending in May 2013. Prosecutors scoffed at Simcox’s claim that the girls were pressured by adults to bring the allegations.