Updated: AZ man had teen wife sleep with other men, deputies say

Donald Leacock has been indicted on 24 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, and authorities said they continue to search for other suspects in the case. Leacock’s trial is set to begin Aug. 5.

Lt. Rex Gilliland with Coconino County Sheriff’s Office said authorities are investigating several people in the case. But “it does not appear to be a big organized group” exploiting the girl and other young women.

Leacock’s lawyer Josh Steinlage did not return a message to his office late Thursday seeking comment.

Sheriff’s spokesman Gerry Blair said deputies were called to a home in the town west of Williams in late February by a 14-year-old girl who wanted them to stand by while she moved out of Leacock’s house.

The girl told deputies that Leacock had fondled her and taken nude pictures and that he lived with his 16-year-old wife.

Investigators later seized computers from Leacock and others involved in the investigation. They discovered multiple photos and videos of what they thought to be child pornography. Witnesses also told investigators that Leacock had sex with a girl when she was 12 years old.

Blair said detectives believe Leacock would post photos of his wife on the Internet and then invite truck drivers and other men to have sex with other young women.

Deputies removed the wife from the home, and the teen was interviewed by a child advocacy center. Gilliland wouldn’t identify the teen or the other young women in the case, and he didn’t say how they became involved with Leacock.

The Sheriff’s Office arrested Howard Leventhal, 51, as part of the investigation. They’ve also issued an arrest warrant for Richard Rush, 48, on charges of sexual assault and vulnerable adult abuse. Another suspect is dead.

Leacock moved to Ash Fork, a rural northern Arizona community between Flagstaff and Kingman, two years ago. He lived with his ex-wife and the teenager whom he married in 2007, authorities said.