West Valley child sex crime case: Another suspect emerges

PHOENIX – Police announced Monday the arrest of a second suspect in a child sex crimes case in the West Valley.

Peoria police arrested Marina Shmaeil Bethyo last Friday on 22 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. She was also arrested on two counts of child molestation.

According to police, 39-year-old Marina was in possession of several images and videos depicting child sexual abuse at the time of her arrest.

How the second suspect in West Valley child sex crimes case was found

Detectives discovered Bethyos' alleged crimes while investigating another Peoria resident who was accused of sex crimes, police said.

The other suspect, 38-year-old Stiven Awshana, was arrested in late July.

Awshana was charged with 27 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, including possession, recording and distribution.

In addition, the following further allegations are made against him:

• Four cases of child abuse.
• Three cases of supplying harmful items to minors.
• Two cases of endangerment.

Police did not provide any information about how their investigation into the Awshana case led them to Bethyo.