By james art SCOTTSDALE, AZ (AZ Family) — A former employee at a Valley school for special needs children is accused of trying to meet with an undercover agent who posed as a teenage girl.
Scottsdale police said 45-year-old Jason Imhoff was arrested last Wednesday on multiple felony charges, including luring and child sex trafficking.
Authorities say Imhof spoke with an undercover agent he believed to be a 13-year-old girl over two days last week.
Court documents say the agent received a message from Imhoff, who said he lived in Gilbert. Imhof allegedly told the agent that he was a former youth coach and “definitely” liked younger girls. Imhoff continued to talk and was told several times that the agent was “only 13 years old,” court documents said.
Authorities say Imhoff asked her if she was “partying” and claimed she had cocaine. He then denied ever being with a minor, but said it was a “huge fantasy” he’d had “for years,” court documents said.
The conversation then turned sexual, and Imhoff reportedly asked for pictures of her and in return sent sexual images of himself. Police say Imhoff wanted to meet the girl and asked for her address.
Court documents also revealed he asked her if she wanted “drinks” and said he would bring a morning-after pill or condoms.
Imhoff reportedly said he would meet with her early because he works as a behavioral specialist for children with special needs at a private school later identified as Austin Centers For Exceptional Students.
Court documents show Imhoff has worked at the school for 18 years.
Authorities tracked Imhoff to a parking lot just north of the meeting location, near Scottsdale Road and Shea Boulevard, where he was taken into custody. Police confirmed the cell phone found in his car was the same one used to message the undercover agent.
In his car, investigators reportedly found a pack of condoms, an ice pack of alcohol and a bag containing a white substance that tested positive for cocaine.
In an interview with police, Imhoff allegedly admitted to working with children and claimed he was at the scene because he “met a young lady online.”
Imhoff initially claimed he didn’t remember the chat room and said he didn’t know how or who put the cocaine in the vehicle.
However, Imhoff later changed his story and claimed he had been on the chat site and said he knew the cocaine was in the car, police said.
Court documents say he believed the girl was 18 years old and repeatedly told investigators the conversation was “totally a fantasy.” Imhof also denied ever having child pornography or looking for it online.
In a statement to Arizona’s family, school officials said Imhoff was suspended after learning of the allegations.
Imhoff was booked on one count of child sex trafficking, one count of aggravated solicitation of a minor, one count of attempted sexual conduct with a minor, one count of attempted sexual exploration of a minor and one count of drug possession.
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