Phoenix- A month after being forced out, Buckeye’s former town manager was arrested at a Phoenix adult shop, caught in a sex act with another man, police said.
Dave Wilcox, who still is on the town’s payroll, was placed on paid leave Wednesday, Interim Town Manager Jeanine Guy announced after the incident became public.
“Having learned about the allegation . . . we have placed Mr. Wilcox on paid administrative leave from his special consultant employment status while our attorneys review the situation,” Guy said in a written statement.
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Wilcox, who turns 60 today, was arrested last Thursday night along with David Duran, 34, of Phoenix at the Adult Shoppe near 24th and Jefferson streets. They were cited and released at the scene on suspicion of public sexual indecency, a misdemeanor that carries a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a $2,500 fine.
The two were engaged in “sexual activity” when a plainclothes police officer spotted them inside a coin-operated, video-viewing booth, Phoenix police said.
Sgt. Joel Tranter, a police spokesman, said the officer was conducting a routine walk-through at the store when he saw the men inside the booth. Phoenix city code allows only one person per booth in an adult store.
“It’s just to make sure there’s no drug activity, public sexual indecency, that they’re adhering to their stipulations,” Tranter said, describing such inspections as routine.
When asked for his occupation, Wilcox identified himself as a consultant for Buckeye, Tranter said.
Wilcox was Flagstaff’s longtime city manager before he joined Buckeye in January. On Oct. 2, the Buckeye Town Council approved a separation agreement with Wilcox but retained him as a special consultant until Dec. 31. The council did not publicly explain the reasons for parting with Wilcox.
Wilcox, who is married, could not be reached for comment Wednesday. A visit to his home in Buckeye’s Verrado community went unanswered.
Buckeye Mayor Bobby Bryant said he learned of the arrest Tuesday.
“We don’t know what action we’re going to take at the time,” he said, repeating that a confidentiality clause in the separation agreement prevented him from elaborating on Wilcox’s removal nine months into his two-year contract.
But Councilman David Hardesty said Wilcox’s dismissal had nothing to do with the nature of the crime Wilcox is accused of. In fact, Hardesty said he was surprised at the news.
“Boy, I’m shocked. Wow,” he said.
In the back of the Adult Shoppe is a hallway lined with booths for private viewing of adult videos. A sign reminds visitors it’s one to a booth and cruising is not permitted. An employee said he had not seen Wilcox at the store before Nov. 1.