A widely known drag queen has been yanked from the upcoming Phoenix Pleasure Competition after being charged with having intercourse with a 13-year-old boy, in accordance with police and occasion organizers.
Michael Browder, who performs beneath the identify Aubrey Ghalichi, was charged with two counts of sexual misconduct with a minor following a months-long investigation that started in June, in accordance with courtroom paperwork obtained by ABC 11.
Bower was one in every of two males who met the younger teen for nameless intercourse after hooking up on a web-based courting app, in accordance with courtroom paperwork.
Police discovered messages on the teenager's laptop computer that led to Browder, whom officers acknowledged as “a recognized Phoenix drag queen,” the courtroom paperwork acknowledged.
Browder spoke with investigators on Sept. 16 and allegedly confessed to having intercourse with the boy — however claimed it was so darkish within the alleged sufferer's condominium “he was unable to determine the sufferer's age,” in accordance with courtroom information.
He instructed cops he believed the 13-year-old was truly 18 or 19. The younger teen additionally stated he had pretended to be older on the app.
Phoenix Pleasure later introduced that Browder had been pulled from acting at its Pleasure competition set for October 18 and 19.
, and had been engaged on eradicating his identify from promotional supplies.
“The crime alleged is one which we discover reprehensible and fully opposite to what Phoenix Pleasure stands for,” the group stated, whereas eradicating Bowder's drag persona, Aubrey Ghalichi, from promotional materials.
Nevertheless, the Pleasure crew careworn, “You will need to emphasize that this particular person has not been convicted of a criminal offense. Their removing is predicated solely on the data at the moment accessible to us and our accountability to make sure a secure and affirming setting for our group.”
Browder was ordered held on a $10,000 secured look bond. If launched, he should put on an ankle monitor, keep away from kids and is barred from possessing weapons or utilizing medication and alcohol.
