Arizona Journalist Tied to Stolen Valor Debate Indicted for Interference in Missing Teen Case
Journalist calls the charges false—Slaton says it’s a “great day for justice.”
A Mountain Daily Star reporter - overseeing the White Mountains region of Arizona spans Navajo and Apache Counties - who once covered Arizona’s heated debate over Stolen Valor legislation now finds herself at the center of a criminal investigation. Molly Ottman was indicted today by a Navajo County grand jury for allegedly interfering in the 2023 disappearance of Jarrett Brooks, a 16-year-old boy whose case has drawn renewed attention.
Ottman’s arrest marks a stunning turn for a journalist who previously reported on high-profile political issues, including efforts to crack down on falsified military service claims.
Grand Jurors in Navajo County indicted Molly Ottman on two felony counts. Count 1 is Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices, a Class 2 felony, alleging Ottman engaged in a calculated scheme to defraud in violation of ARS sections 13-2310, 13-2301, 13-701, 13-702, and 13-801. Count 2 is Obstructing a Criminal Investigation, a Class 5 felony, alleging Ottman knowingly misrepresented facts in an attempt to obstruct, delay, or prevent critical information or testimony from reaching law enforcement, a prosecutor, magistrate, or grand jury in violation of ARS 13-2409, 13-701, 13-702, 13-801. These are serious charges with serious implications.
In a Facebook post today, Navajo County Attorney's Office writes:
“A 16-year-old boy was missing and all of law enforcement’s energy and resources should have been able to remain focused strictly on the search for that young man. Diverting attention, resources and time to fabricated evidence creates unwarranted distractions during time-sensitive investigations,” said Navajo County Attorney Brad Carlyon.
State 48 News reached out to Molly Ottman for comment. She responded, “It’s absolutely untrue. It will be a not guilty plea and it’s absolutely not true.” Ottman also confirmed that she remains employed with the Mountain Daily Star.
The Navajo County Attorney's Office confirmed to State 48 News that Molly Ottman was served today. Reportedly, she has been issued a summons to appear in Navajo County Superior Court, Division III, on June 2, 2025, at 9 a.m. for her first court appearance.
About the Jarrett Brooks Case
The Navajo County Attorney’s Office explains:
July 4, 2023, Jarrett Brooks, then 16, was reported as a runaway from his home in Joseph City after a reported dispute with his parents over being grounded. He has not been heard from since his disappearance. Law enforcement agencies and volunteers have conducted extensive searches for the youth.
In October 2023, Ottman contacted investigators with the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office to alert them to posts on a Reddit account she purported belonged to Jarrett Brooks’ father, Brian Brooks. The posts alluded to sexual activity between Brian Brooks and a minor child. Law enforcement undertook an investigation into the posts, including executing search warrants at the Brooks’ residence and the offices of a private investigator in the Phoenix area that was in the employ of the Brooks family. Further investigation by the sheriff’s office and the Navajo County Attorney’s Office eventually led investigators to conclude that Ottman, herself, had created the Reddit account and fraudulent posts. Ottman is executive editor and an investigative journalist with Mountain Daily Star, an online news publication.
The information in the Navajo County Attorney’s Office report is based on details provided by the Navajo County Attorney’s Office. The charges in the indictment are allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Teri Walker, Director of Communications of the Navajo County Attorney’s Office, tells State 48 News Jarrett Brooks, “He has not been heard from since his disappearance in 2023.”
About the Journalist
On January 3, 2024, the Mountain Daily Star published a news article acknowledging the growing online attention surrounding the case, stating, "Social media groups have been very active with speculations about what’s going on with the Jarrett Brooks case." The tagline listed on Molly K. Ottman’s byline identifies her as Executive Editor/Journalist for the Mountain Daily Star.
Most recently, the Mountain Daily Star, Rep. Walt Blackman (R-LD7), and others have credited Molly Ottman for her investigative reporting on Steve Slaton—the owner of The Trumped Store in Show Low—whose disputed military record helped fuel support for Arizona’s Stolen Valor Act. Ottman is credited with breaking the story, filing FOIA requests, consulting military experts, and exposing inconsistencies.
Slaton, who previously ran for office and lost to Blackman in a Republican primary, drew attention after his service claims became the focus of Ottman’s reporting and broader public scrutiny.
Steve Slaton took to social media following news of the indictment, posting: “MOLLY OTTMAN INDICTED! A great day for Justice!!!! ….. MOLLY OTTMAN IS A DANGER TO SOCIETY! Her endless fraudulent attacks on innocent victims HAVE COME TO A SCREECHING HALT!”
In response to Molly Ottman’s indictment, Steve Slaton told State 48 News he sees it as a victory for justice—not just for himself, but for others he believes were harmed by what he calls false and misleading reporting by Ottman and her associates.
In April, Rep. Walt Blackman publicly credited Molly Ottman for her investigative reporting into Steve Slaton’s military record. When reached for comment today regarding Ottman’s indictment, Blackman told State 48 News - just moments ago - he respects the legal process, acknowledges the seriousness of the charges, and will withhold further comment until the courts evaluate the case.
State 48 News makes no claims regarding the accuracy of Molly Ottman’s reporting. The allegations against her are part of an ongoing legal process, and any determination of guilt or innocence will be made by a court of law.