Mesa man sentenced to nearly 30 years for four sexual assaults

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 02:02 · Archive

James Estep was sentenced to nearly 30 years in prison for four sexual assaults across Arizona's East Valley.

James Estep, a Mesa man, has been sentenced to nearly 30 years in prison for four sexual assault crimes, with credit for time served already counted. He will also receive lifetime probation following his release, with his sentence expiring on 31 July 2055. Prosecutors charged him as a serial rapist.

Investigators say one victim was raped in May 2021 near McDowell and Greenfield roads, but no arrest was made until 2023. A DNA match from a church parking lot attack near Stapley and University drives linked Estep to the 2021 assault. Another attack occurred on 27 June 2023, in which court paperwork states Estep restrained and kidnapped a victim. On 2 July 2023, police say Estep met a victim at a Tempe bar, took her to his home and would not let her leave before raping her.

When interviewed by detectives about this incident, Estep claimed he did not remember his actions and asked to check his Facebook 'for an idea', according to court documents. When asked about the woman he had sex with that night, he requested a lawyer. A fourth attack occurred in August 2023, when court paperwork states Estep offered a 15-year-old girl a ride from a light rail station at Main Street and Alma School Road.

How it is being reported

• Mesa serial rapist sentenced to nearly 30 years in prisonA Mesa man convicted of four sexual assaults across the East Valley has been sentenced to nearly 30 years in prison, with lifetime probation to follow.Azfamily · 21 Oct, 01:08
• Mesa serial rapist sentenced to nearly 30 years in prisonA Mesa man convicted of four sexual assaults across the East Valley has been sentenced to nearly 30 years in prison, with lifetime probation to follow.KOLD · 21 Oct, 01:08

In this story: James Estep · Mesa · East Valley · Arizona

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem