Former Phoenix Police Officer Pleads Guilty In Sex Case

Published: Thursday, July 9, 2015 - 8:33am

PHOENIX — A former Phoenix police officer accused of having sex with an underage girl has pleaded guilty to attempted child abuse and sexual conduct with a minor.

Maricopa County prosecutors said 33-year-old Justin LaClere entered his plea Wednesday. He's scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 12.

LaClere was arrested in mid-January 2014 and booked into jail on counts of luring a minor for sexual exploitation and sexual conduct with a minor.

LaClere worked for the Phoenix Police Department for seven years and resigned on the same the day of his arrest.

Investigators said LaClere contacted a 17-year-old girl who allegedly wanted to get pregnant through a social media service in 2014.

He was accused of having sex with the girl at her family's home while her parents were away.

This is the second time in the last two weeks that the Phoenix Police Department has been in the spotlight for this kind of misconduct.

Late last month, an officer was accused of sexual misconduct with a woman he had arrested. The officer resigned following his arrest.

KJZZ's Kathy Ritchie contributed to this report.