A well known drag queen has been yanked from the upcoming Phoenix Delight Competition after being charged with having intercourse with a 13-year-old boy, in line 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 line with court docket paperwork obtained by ABC 11.
Browder was certainly one of two males who met the younger teen for nameless intercourse after hooking up on a web-based relationship app, in line with court docket paperwork.
Police discovered messages on the teenager’s laptop computer that led to Browder, whom officers acknowledged as “a identified Phoenix drag queen,” the court docket 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 condo, “he was unable to establish the sufferer’s age,” in line with court docket information.
He instructed cops he believed the 13-year-old was really 18 or 19.
The younger teen additionally mentioned he had pretended to be older on the app.
Phoenix Delight later introduced that Browder had been pulled from acting at its Delight competition set for October 18 and 19, and it was engaged on eradicating his identify from promotional supplies.
“The crime alleged is one which we discover reprehensible and fully opposite to what Phoenix Delight stands for,” the group mentioned.
Nevertheless, the Delight workforce confused, “You will need to emphasize that this particular person has not been convicted of against the law. Their removing relies solely on the knowledge at present accessible to us and our accountability to make sure a protected and affirming atmosphere for our group.”
Browder was ordered held on a $10,000 secured look bond.
If launched, he should put on an ankle monitor, steer clear of youngsters and is barred from possessing weapons or utilizing medication and alcohol.
