A Sun Valley woman was sentenced this week in Navajo County Superior Court for sexual conduct with a minor over 15, a Class 6 felony. On March 6, Superior Court Judge Pro Tem Jon H. Saline sentenced Diana Maxine Serna, 55, to 15 years of supervised probation, with sex offender terms. She must register as a sex offender and is ordered not to have contact with minor children, other than her grandchildren, and to not drink alcohol. Judge Saline deferred a six-month jail sentence, which may be imposed depending on Serna’s adherence to the terms of her probation. In January, Serna pleaded guilty to one count of sexual conduct with a 16-year-old minor. She has no prior felony convictions. Her husband, John M Serna, 55, is facing multiple charges involving the same victim. His next court appearance is scheduled for March 15. The Navajo County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations unit conducted a thorough investigation into the Sernas’ reported conduct with the victim, resulting in their arrest and initial charges. A Navajo County grand jury indicted the pair in September 2022. The charges contained in John Serna’s indictment are merely allegations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.
