Authorities in Arizona say a 41-year-old man was arrested this week on suspicion of having sex with his daughter’s teen babysitter dozens of times.

According to the New York Post, Joseph Peter Sisemore allegedly hired the now-15-year-old victim two years before the sexual abuse is believed to have started.

Complicating the investigation is the suspect’s reported claim that he is a “sovereign citizen” and does not fall under the jurisdiction of local laws.

Chandler Police Detective Seth Tyler indicated that there “was probably some grooming going on” by the suspect prior to the alleged criminal sex acts.

“As parents, it’s so important to keep track of what our kids are doing,” he added. “It’s so important that we make sure we know who is at the house or what type of things are being said to them.”

Police say the alleged victim’s parents contacted authorities to report the suspected abuse. The suspect was allegedly caught on tape during a series of phone conversations with the victim earlier this week admitting to their trysts and confirming that he knew he could get “into a lot of trouble” if the affair came to light.

In addition to various sexual acts, Sisemore is accused of requesting that the victim wear his clothes, telling her that he wanted to smell her in them.

The suspect was reportedly exiting a local drug store — where investigators say he had purchased an emergency contraceptive for the victim — when he was arrested on Monday.

Following his arrest, he was transported to the Maricopa County Jail. He is expected to face 11 criminal counts of sexual conduct with a minor, as reported by KNXV.

[Featured image: Joseph Peter Sisemore, Chandler Police Department]