Charges filed in 10-year sexual abuse case

A 28-count criminal complaint was filed against the Yuma man arrested for allegedly sexually abusing a female victim for 10 years.

Jim Gaines, 51, of Yuma, has been charged with 19 counts of sexual conduct with a minor, eight counts of molestation of a child and one count of continuous sexual abuse with a child for allegedly having sexually abused the victim dating back to 1999.

Every charge is a Class 2 felony.

Gaines was arraigned before Justice of the Peace David Cooper during a Nov. 12 hearing in which his bond was set to $2.7 million. He is currently being held at the Yuma County jail.

According to court records, Gaines' case was transferred to Yuma County Superior Court on Tuesday.

Court records also indicate Morten Rivkind, an attorney with Yuma County Public Defender's Office, has been appointed to represent Gaines.

Gaines was arrested Nov. 8 after an investigation into allegations of sexual abuse.

He was originally booked into jail on charges of continuous sexual abuse, sexual conduct with a minor and child molestation.

Gaines made his initial appearance at Yuma Justice Court on Nov. 10, and the complaint was filed against him two days later.

The YPD encourages anyone with any information about the investigation to call Detective Miguel Sanchez at 373-4670 or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous.