Tucson Man Sentenced to Over 8 Years for Sex Crime Plot

TUCSON, Ariz. – In a chilling case that highlights the dangers of online predators, 71-year-old John Stephen Baker has been sentenced to over eight years in prison for attempting to engage in illicit sexual activity with an underage girl. The sentence, handed down by United States District Judge Jennifer G. Zipps on September 10, includes 8.5 years behind bars and a lifetime of supervised release.

Baker’s criminal activity began around February 6, 2023, when he initiated contact with a person he believed to be a 14-year-old female online. In reality, the individual was an undercover special agent from Homeland Security Investigations. During their chats, Baker expressed concerns about engaging in sexual intercourse with an underage female due to legal repercussions but remained intent on his illegal plan.

Undeterred by the potential for arrest, Baker traveled from his Tucson home to Sahuarita, Arizona, on May 10, 2023, with the intention of meeting the child. His plans were thwarted when law enforcement officials apprehended him upon his arrival.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a Department of Justice initiative established in 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. The project coordinates efforts across federal, state, and local levels to identify, locate, and prosecute individuals who exploit children through the Internet.

Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation that resulted in Baker’s conviction. Assistant United States Attorneys Nathaniel J. Walters and Jennifer H. Berman prosecuted the case for the District of Arizona.

CASE NUMBER: CR-23-01362-TUC-JGZ / RELEASE NUMBER: 2025-148_Baker

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