Sierra Vista Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Attempted Transportation of a Minor with Intent to Engage in Criminal Sexual Activity

     TUCSON, Ariz. – Yesterday, Matthew Demond Lyons, 23, of Sierra Vista, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Rosemary Marquez to 10 years' imprisonment to be followed by 20 years of supervised release.  Lyons previously pleaded guilty to attempted transportation of a minor with intent to engage in prostitution or any criminal sexual activity, aiding and abetting.  He will be required to register as a sex offender and abide by sex offender terms as part of his supervision once released from prison.  

     In January 2016, Lyons attempted via electronic communications to induce a 16-year-old girl to travel to Arizona from Minnesota.  Lyons instructed the minor to send him nude photographs of herself and to refer to him as “daddy” and stated that he would provide her with food, drugs, and shelter.  Lyons also purchased a bus ticket so she could travel to Arizona.  She boarded the bus in Minnesota and was enroute to Arizona before law enforcement located her. 

     The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Sierra Vista Police Department, Eden Prairie Police Department (Eden Prairie, Minnesota), and the Cochise County Attorney’s Office.  The prosecution was handled by Raquel Arellano and Karen Rolley, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Tucson

CASE NUMBER:            CR- 17-00160-TUC-RM

RELEASE NUMBER:    2017-094_Lyons

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