Shirley Gets 30 Years for Molesting Two Young Girls

TUCSON, AZ – Anthony Ray Shirley, 29, of Tucson, Arizona, will spend the next three decades behind bars after being sentenced to 360 months in prison for the horrific sexual abuse of two young girls. Chief District Judge Raner C. Collins handed down the sentence today, concluding a case that exposed a predator preying on vulnerable victims.

Shirley, a member of the Tohono O’Odham Nation, was found guilty by a federal jury on October 28, 2016, of four counts of aggravated sexual abuse and two counts of abusive sexual contact. The details of the trial revealed a pattern of predatory behavior targeting members of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe. The evidence presented painted a disturbing picture of calculated abuse and betrayal of trust.

This wasn’t a fleeting act; it was a sustained assault on the innocence of these young victims. The courtroom was filled with tension as details of Shirley’s crimes were laid bare, leaving a lasting impact on all present. The gravity of the situation was not lost on Judge Collins, who imposed the maximum sentence allowable under federal law.

Beyond the 30-year prison term, Shirley will be subject to lifetime federal supervised release upon his eventual release. He is also required to register as a sex offender, ensuring that authorities are aware of his presence and potential risk to the community. This will follow him for the rest of his life, a permanent marker of his heinous crimes.

The successful prosecution of this case was a collaborative effort. Detectives with the Pascua Yaqui Tribe Police Department worked alongside agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation to build a solid case against Shirley. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Micah Schmit and Carolyn Nedder, from the District of Arizona, Tucson, expertly presented the evidence in court, securing the conviction and subsequent sentencing.

Case number CR-13-0622-TUC-RCC. This case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of sexual abuse and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their actions. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona continues to prioritize cases involving the exploitation of children and will relentlessly pursue justice for victims. Further information can be found at http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/. Follow them on Twitter @USAO_AZ.

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