Sierra Vista police have arrested a Fort Huachuca soldier in connection with several felony counts of sexual conduct with a minor, authorities said.
Alexander E. Smith, 27, was arrested Friday and booked into the Cochise County jail on five counts of sexual conduct with a minor, said Sierra Vista Police Department spokesman, Cpl. Marco Madrid.
The seven-week investigation by Sierra Vista PD and the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command began on June 8, when police received an anonymous tip that Smith had a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl, Madrid said.
Smith reportedly met the victim at a church in Huachuca City, and it's believed that the relationship went on for more than a year, during which time they engaged in sexual conduct at least five times, Madrid said.
The reported sexual contact occurred in both Sierra Vista, at Fort Huachuca, Madrid said.