Opening arguments in the trial of a founder of one of the border vigilante groups that charged into southern Arizona about 10 years ago start Wednesday afternoon in Maricopa County Superior Court.
Chris Simcox will represent himself in a case that involves multiple accusations of sex crimes against children.
Simcox was one of the original founders of the Minuteman organization, which set up shop at the border with Mexico and tried to be an extra set of eyes and ears for federal authorities.
After the group splintered, Simcox ran for the U.S. Senate.
He was arrested in 2013 on suspicion of child molestation and other felonies. Court records show Simcox was accused of similar crimes in California, but the alleged victim later retracted their story.
Simcox has denied all charges.
