A convicted Arizona child sex offender was arrested last week for trying to kidnap an 11-year-old girl in Tolleson.
The City of Tolleson reported that the latest incident occurred on September 29. The suspect, 35-year-old Christopher Leon, allegedly grabbed a girl by the arm while she was walking home from school and attempted to abduct her. Fortunately, the girl managed to escape, and Leon fled the scene.
Investigators quickly identified him and launched a search. They announced his arrest on Saturday.
According to a police report, the victim did not know Leon, who reportedly attempted to give her cash, as reported by KTVK. She refused the money, after which Leon noted the time and remarked he would return for her the next day. The girl pulled away from him and ran back toward her school for assistance.
Witnesses and video showed him boarding a Valley Metro bus after the incident.
During police questioning, Leon admitted to officers that he found the girl “cute and beautiful” and that offering her $6 was a way to make her more “attracted to him.” He confessed that he would have attempted to kiss her had she not fled.
Leon explained that he ran away because he believed someone had witnessed the incident and acknowledged his wrongdoing due to prior convictions for sex crimes. He admitted to similar misconduct with two children in Tucson and another child in Tolleson, revealing his attraction to young girls.
Leon also said he “accidentally” exposed himself to an adult woman while leaving Tolleson.
Leon was booked into the Maricopa County jail, charged with attempted kidnapping and aggravated assault on a minor, and given a $750,000 bond.
