Adam Clift was sentenced on April 9 to seven years in prison for drug trafficking and twelve and a half years, followed by lifetime supervised probation with sex offender terms, for two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes announced the sentences, which stem from two separate indictments handled in Maricopa County Superior Court.
The case highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to address both drug trafficking and crimes involving child exploitation. “Trafficking methamphetamine and other illicit drugs across state lines is a serious crime, but possessing child sexual abuse material is unconscionable,” said Attorney General Mayes. “My office will never stop fighting to hold offenders like Adam Clift accountable. We will not tolerate those who harm our communities and exploit children.”
Clift’s involvement in drug trafficking began after the COVID-19 pandemic, using dark web aliases such as “The Collective” and “Safeway” to mail methamphetamine packages from Phoenix to several states including Texas, North Carolina, Ohio, and Utah. Authorities executed a search warrant at his residence on May 8, 2024, finding various illegal substances as well as packaging materials and electronic devices used in his operations.
During the same search, investigators discovered videos of child sexual abuse material on Clift’s laptop. He later pleaded guilty to one count of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor (Class 2 Felony) and two counts of Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Minor (Class 3 Felony), all classified as Dangerous Crimes Against Children.
Both cases were investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service with prosecution led by different sections within the Arizona Attorney General’s Office.
The Arizona Attorney General’s Office serves as Arizona’s chief legal office with statewide responsibilities for legal and protective services according to its official website. The office also addresses issues such as elder abuse, civil rights violations, unsolved crimes through its cold case unit according to its official website, participates in federal action lawsuits supporting fair housing initiatives according to its official website, delivers comprehensive services statewide according to its official website, functions as the state’s primary legal entity offering advocacy for residents according to its official website, and is currently led by Kris Mayes—the state’s first mother attorney general—according to its official website.
