Accused Buckeye child sex trafficker released, prosecutor requests more evidence

The Buckeye man arrested for child sex trafficking has been released pending additional evidence, according to Buckeye police.

Michael Armijo, 26, was arrested late last month and accused of paying a child for sex after police investigated him for allegedly masturbating outside of Canyon View High School in Buckeye.

Armijo was facing one count of child sex trafficking with a minor aged 15 to 17, one count of sexual conduct with a minor and one count of luring a minor for sexual exploitation, all felonies, according to the county’s prosecuting attorney.

Today, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office told InBuckeye the case was furthered, pending more evidence.

“Charges were not dropped,” MCAO spokesperson Vanessa Ceja-Cervantes said. “Our office reviewed the charges that were submitted and furthered the case back to the Buckeye Police Department for additional investigation.”

Buckeye Police confirmed to InBuckeye that prosecutors did “further” Armijo’s case back to the city, having requested lab results. Buckeye will resubmit the case once the lab test are complete, according to a police spokesperson.

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office additionally confirmed Armijo's release to InBuckeye.

According to the MCAO, prosecutors often “further” cases when an agency’s report does not “provide sufficient evidence to justify filing of criminal charges.”

Armijo the victim

Armijo told the judge he was a victim in his initial court appearance last month.

“I want to say I'm not a threat to anybody,” he said. “I feel like I was more of a target than I was targeting anybody based on the conversations I had with the lady in the parking lot or at the school.”

Buckeye police officers detained Armijo during a traffic stop last month near his Buckeye home after a teen student told police Armijo paid her for sex, according to the probable cause report.

Armijo, coincidentally known as "Law," has more than 23,000 followers on Instagram. There, he presents a facade of a social media guru and CEO business coach who is "foremost expert on the human mind."

According to his website, his organization charged clients up to $1,200 a year for coaching services.

The scheme offers up to four Zoom coaching calls per month, access to a members-only community, access to Armijo's business contacts and full access to a knowledge database suite.

Yesterday, Armijo published a story on Instagram referencing god and laying a foundation, seemingly referencing his coaching business. His use of the internet conflicts with bond conditions outlined in his initial appearance, suggesting he has liberties until the Buckeye police resubmits its case.