Yuma ‘Truck Stop Predator’ sentenced to 5 years in prison

A man who was caught attempting to have sex with a 13-year-old girl was sentenced to 5 years in Arizona Corrections Thursday.

He was found guilty on Count 3, luring a minor for sexual exploitation. The Court dismissed counts 1, 2, and 4.

The Facebook group ‘ Truckers Against Predators’ known as TAP, met up with Matthew Sanchez at Love’s Travel Stop in November 2018 after sending messages and explicit photos to a decoy, attempting to have sex with a 13-year-old girl. The act was also caught on Facebook live.

5 years is the minimum sentence for any dangerous, non-repetitive crime.

Sanchez’s Defense Attorney expressed the case is different considering the ‘ Truckers Against Predators’ does not work with law enforcement and is citizen-based.

Sanchez will also receive credit for 234 days for time he served prior to sentencing.