Former Broadcaster Sentenced for Child Exploitation in Flagstaff
In a significant legal development, former Flagstaff broadcaster Dave Zorn has been sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to charges related to child exploitation. This case has drawn attention due to the nature of the offenses and Zorn’s prior public presence.
Zorn’s arrest occurred in March, following an attempt to meet with an undercover officer who was posing as a 15-year-old girl. The meeting was the culmination of a week-long exchange of explicit messages. Zorn later accepted a plea deal in September, which saw him plead guilty to reduced charges of luring a minor for sexual exploitation and providing harmful material to a minor. More details on his arrest can be found here.
Under the plea agreement, Zorn is required to serve at least 85% of his prison sentence before becoming eligible for parole. Following his release, he will be subject to a decade of probation and will have to register as a sex offender for life. The full details of his plea are available here.
The arrest was part of a larger multi-agency operation led by the North Star Task Force, as confirmed by the Flagstaff Police Department. Zorn was taken into custody by this collaborative effort, which highlighted the ongoing challenges of combating child exploitation.
During the sentencing hearing, Judge Joshua Steinlage emphasized the gravity of Zorn’s situation, warning him of the potential full nine-year prison term he could face if he fails to adhere to the terms of the agreement. Steinlage stated, “Never lose sight of the fact that you have a very serious prison sentence hanging out over your head.”
Zorn, who previously held the position of news director at KAFF News Radio and was a part-time educator in Northern Arizona University’s School of Communication, was dismissed from both roles following his arrest. He will be moved from the Coconino County Detention Facility to the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation, and Reentry, where he will serve his sentence.
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