Believe it or Not, Josh Baker's a Sex Offender

The man to the right is 20-year-old Josh Baker. About three months ago, he moved to an apartment in Scottsdale -- which wouldn't be a problem if he weren't a convicted sex offender required to let authorities know whenever he changes his address.

Baker was sitting next to a trash can in a parking lot near 3700 North 75th Street about 2:30 a.m. today when a cop drove by and asked what he was doing.

Baker, who was under the influence at the time and is an alcoholic, according to court documents obtained by New Times, told the officer he was using WiFi.

Suspicious, the officer asked for Baker's name and birthday. The officer ran a criminal history check and discovered that Baker was a convicted sex offender who was supposed to be living at an address in the 4000 block of East Indian School Road.

However, when asked for his address, Baker told the officer he'd recently moved to an apartment in the Scottsdale Suites apartment complex on East Osborne Road.

Baker claimed he moved about two weeks ago and he planned to re-register his address today.

The officer contacted Baker's old roommate at the address on East Indian School Road and asked when Baker had moved out. Turns out, Baker left that apartment about three months ago, the roommate told the officer.

Regardless, sex offenders are required to change their address within 72 hours of moving.

Baker, who told police he was convicted of molesting a 3-year-old relative, was booked into a Maricopa County jail on one count of failure to change address as a sex offender.

KEEP PHOENIX NEW TIMES FREE... Since we started Phoenix New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Phoenix, and we'd like to keep it that way. With local media under siege, it's more important than ever for us to rally support behind funding our local journalism. You can help by participating in our "I Support" program, allowing us to keep offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food and culture with no paywalls.
James King
Contact: James King

Latest Stories