Yuma man arrested and indicted for sexually assaulting a minor

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - The Yuma Police Department (YPD) says a man has been arrested and indicted for sexually assaulting a minor.

According to a press release, YPD says they received information Friday, May 15, 2026, about a sex offense between the suspect, identified as 38-year-old Jesus Plantillas, and a 14-year-old girl.

During the investigation, YPD learned that Plantillas had two other prior allegations of sexually assaulting a minor, one back in 2015 when the victim was three-years-old at the time, and the other back in 2022 when the victim was 15-years-old at that time.

With the U.S. Border Patrol's help, Plantillas was found Saturday, May 16, 2026, at around 11 p.m. in the area of Fifth Avenue and First Street, where he was arrested and booked into the Yuma County Detention Center, according to YPD.

Last Thursday, YPD says Plantillas was indicted for one count of molestation of a child, four counts of sexual abuse and five counts of sexual conduct with a minor.

Plantillas is currently being held at the Yuma County Detention Center on a bond of $250,000.

If anyone has information regarding the case, call YPD at 928-373-4700, or 78-CRIME at 928-782-7463 to remain anonymous.