Pinal County Attorney Brad Miller announced Monday the creation of a new special victim unit focused on supporting victims of sexual assault and trafficking cases.

The new unit is led by longtime county prosecutor Sean Jensvold and has tackled several well-known child abuse cases. (Read all about his most famous Maricopa incident here.)

The unit will “work closely with law enforcement, social services agencies, health professionals and community partners to provide comprehensive support to victims while actively prosecuting them,” according to a news release.

“My office takes a strict criminal approach to people participating in child sex.
Human trafficking,” Miller said in a statement. “Special victim units hold perpetrators accountable, but they ensure that victims receive the compassion, respect and support they deserve through legal proceedings.”

The new unit will work with professional lawyers who handle sensitive cases and victim advocates, providing support through survivor resources, guidance and legal processes. According to the release of the Pinal County Attorney’s Office, the group will use interagency collaboration to strengthen cases and protect victims.

PCAO has 180 professional staff who handle more than 2,500 felony cases each year.

Last year in Maricopa, police and county prosecutors have dealt with sexual predators, child pornologists and bus stop predators (three in the last six months) who tried to escape the country.

Pedophile Brian Mohr committed suicide a few days after being arrested for child exploitation.

PCAO joined the Apache Junction Police Department-led operation last month targeting online predators. Miller in yesterday’s statement said SVU will “work with law enforcement” as part of one of the three focus prongs, “interagency collaboration.”

Attorney spokesman Sarah Workman did not respond to whether SVU has plans to work with the MPD.