Sheriff: News http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/AllItems.aspx RSS feed for the News list. Tue, 21 May 2013 17:16:36 GMT Windows SharePoint Services V3 RSS Generator 60 Sheriff: News /Departments/Sheriff/_layouts/images/homepage.gif http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/AllItems.aspx PCSO Celebrates Diligent Service of Volunteers http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=676 Body:
Members of the Search and Rescue Posse coordinating search efforts for an overdue hiker.
Citizen on Patrol (COP) volunteers manning the Country Thunder DUI processing center.
Members of the PCSO Explorer Post 1875 participating in a community service clean-up project.
PINAL COUNTY, Ariz. – The week of April 21st through April 27th is National Volunteer Week. This week celebrates volunteers and recognizes them for their service to their communities. The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office proudly recognizes its 11 different volunteer units that tirelessly serve the citizens of Pinal County.

Pinal County remains one of the fastest growing counties in Arizona. The county encompasses 5,386 square miles with nearly 400,000 residents with the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office providing the primary law enforcement service to the majority of residents. Such growth naturally leads to increased calls and needs for service; yet, the increase in budget needed to grow the Sheriff’s Office staff has not been obtainable. With more than 350 volunteers tirelessly assisting the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office volunteering more over 100,000 hours this past year, citizens of Pinal County can see a visible decrease in emergency response times and safer neighborhoods. These volunteers serve a critical mission of supporting law enforcement and serving victims of crimes.

Last year, the members of our PCSO Patrol Posse worked a total of total 20,698 hours. Posse members assisted with crime scene security, traffic control, assisting deputies on patrol, transportation of prisoners and other areas which would have normally tied up a patrol deputy. Their efforts alone, in 2012, saved Pinal County taxpayers a total of $601,000 which it would have cost our office in deputy salaries.

Just this month, the PCSO Search and Rescue Posse members have volunteered over 2,000 hours in time to aid in searches. This past weekend, seven members of the SAR posse searched overnight for a missing seven-year-old child in the Red Rock area and were able to locate her safely and reunite her with her family.

Another example of the invaluable help the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office receives from its volunteers was evident at this year’s Country Thunder event. The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office orchestrated a heavy DUI taskforce presence. The Citizens on Patrol (COP) members volunteered their time to run our intake facility where impaired drivers were processed allowing deputies to focus on patrol duties. In addition, members of COPs serve their communities through regular patrols reporting "suspicious" activity. The group also performs “House Watch” for vacation and absent residents drastically reducing theft and damage crimes in their communities. Last year, COP volunteers donated over 12,812 hours with a wage equivalency savings to Pinal County taxpayers of $277,168.

Through volunteers the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office also provide Victims’ Services and Chaplain support to any member of the community that has been affected by a traumatic incident. The volunteers in these units respond to assist deputies with crime victims, witnesses and survivors.

The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office also has a volunteer Reserves unit. These sworn law enforcement personnel volunteer their time and do the same job as our sworn deputies. Their service has saved countless lives and landed suspects behind bars.

Through volunteers in the Administrative unit, the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office has established a model Sex Offender Notification Registry that has been adopted by other law enforcement agencies. Volunteers man the Pinal County Cold Case Squad which strives to bring justice to survivors of violent crimes.

The PCSO Explorers Post 1875 is a youth-based group that allows teens interested in law enforcement a community service and career-oriented program. While learning key leadership skills the Explorers participate in endless community service project to better the community.

Pinal County Sheriff’s Office also boasts a large volunteer corp that services the Adult Detention Center population. These ministry volunteers and life skill and education volunteers help give new direction to inmates by providing them with guidance and tools to stop the recidivism.

Sheriff Paul Babeu said “ In light of today’s economy where there is a lack of funding for critical components of law enforcement, residents of Pinal County can rest assured that our Sheriff’s Office and our many volunteers will be there when needed. Outside of their countless hours serving the communities these volunteers make commitment to extensive training, equipment purchases and service our community with a minimal cost to the county. Each one of these volunteers is a crucial member of our law enforcement team and we thank them for their gift of service to Pinal County."
Date: 4/29/2013
]]> System Account Mon, 29 Apr 2013 20:30:46 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=676 Speeding Vehicles Crashes through Three Front Yards http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=675 Body:
PINAL COUNTY, Ariz. - On April 22nd, 2013, just before midnight, the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office 9-1-1 call center received a call reference an accident with critical injuries in the Maricopa Hidden Valley area.

Deputies responding to the scene found a red 2004 Ford Explorer had crashed through three residential yards and had come to rest in the front yard of the house near the intersection at Barrel Road and Deer Trail. Inside the vehicle, deputies found an unresponsive female in the back passenger seat. The woman had sustained significant head trauma and was pronounced dead on scene by paramedics.

The driver of the vehicle, Blair Benjamin Baldomero, 25, of Maricopa, and the front seat passenger were located at a nearby residence where they went to call for help after being unable to get a cell signal. Baldomero sustained injuries to his head and was flown to Maricopa Medical Center for precautionary treatment. The front seat passenger was treated at the scene for minor injuries.

Through witness statements and evidence collected from the scene, deputies believe Baldomero was driving his vehicle at an excessive rate of speed down the dirt portion of Barrel Road. He lost control of the vehicle hitting a slight embankment causing the vehicle to launch into metal horse fencing which went through the windshield and fatally wounded the backseat passenger.

The investigation into the accident is still ongoing. A Pinal County Deputy County Attorney was among the responders to the scene. Upon the conclusion of the investigation, the case will be submitted to him and the Pinal County Attorney’s Office for a review of potential charges against Baldomero.
Date: 4/29/2013
]]> System Account Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:40:57 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=675 Citizens Help Apprehend Fleeing Drug Smuggler http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=674 Body:
PINAL COUNTY, Ariz. – On April 16th, 2013 at 2:05 p.m., a Pinal County Sheriff’s deputy traveling on Highway 84 observed two vehicles driving in tandem at a high rate of speed. The proximity of the vehicles traveling at highway speeds was dangerous and the deputy proceeded to initiate a traffic stop.

One of the vehicles, a blue Chevy Trailblazer, proceeded to flee. The deputy pursued the vehicle that accelerated to 80-miles-per-hour as he traveled onto Russell Road. The suspect attempted to pass a citizen on the dirt portion of Russell Road which caused him to lose control of his vehicle. The vehicle spun into a ditch which kicked up a cloud of dust that obstructed the view of the pursuing deputy. When the dust settled the deputy saw a male fleeing from the vehicle on foot. The deputy stopped his vehicle and began pursuing the suspect on foot in the direction of a cotton gin. Several workers inside the cotton gin had exited the business and witnessed the man fleeing from the deputy.

The employees of the cotton gin began chasing the approaching suspect and assisted in detaining the subject until the deputy was able to handcuff the man. After the deputy escorted the suspect back to the patrol car, he cleared the suspect’s vehicle to make sure no one else was inside. The deputy observed a black towel covering large bundles of marijuana in the front passenger seat of the vehicle. The deputy continued to clear the vehicle and found additional bundles in the back of the vehicle. A total of 27 bundles were discovered in the vehicle with a weight of 567 pounds. The street value of the marijuana is estimated at $400,000.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as Juan Ricardo Hernandez Mendivil, 24-years-old, from Mexico. He was arrested and booked into the Pinal County Adult Detention Center on charges of Possession of Marijuana for Sale, Transportation of Marijuana and Unlawful Flight.

Sheriff Paul Babeu said, “Mendivil showed he has no regard for the safety of other drivers on the roadway. This is another example of the types of incidents our Pinal County families are forced to live with as a result of an unsecured border. While this current administration says those who enter into the United States from Mexico are only coming for a better life, these cases are a constant reminder that is not true and why we need to secure our southern border.”
Date: 4/29/2013
]]> System Account Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:34:48 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=674 Sheriff Babeu: “Secure the Border First, or Repeat History” http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=673 Body:
Florence, Ariz.- Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu has announced his opposition to the proposed immigration reform offered by the so called “Gang of Eight”. Officially titled the “Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013” or the “Schumer-McCain Immigration Bill.”

Sheriff Paul Babeu said, “We must secure the border first, prior to any discussion of green cards and a path to citizenship offered to nearly 20 million illegals and their families. This plan gives everything to President Obama upfront, while border security is promised once again on the backend. We are about to repeat history, when in 1986 President Reagan gave amnesty to 2 million illegals. Now, the stakes are far higher, yet it seems that we haven't learned our lesson. The failure to secure the border after the Reagan amnesty got us where we are today with 11 to 20 million illegals in our Country.....this plan will repeat history.”

Sheriff Babeu added, “Secretary Janet Napolitano almost daily proclaims that our US/Mexican border is already secure in an effort to pave the way to amnesty. One year ago, the Tucson sector alone had 122,000 illegals apprehended and now the Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol recently testified that this number is up more than 13%. Additionally, our Sheriff's Office recently led a multi-agency investigation which busted the largest drug smuggling operation in the history of Arizona, valued between $2-$3 Billion, arresting 76 individuals of the Sinaloa Mexican Drug Cartel and seized 108 of their firearms. In law enforcement, we call these clues; the border is NOT more secure than ever.”

Sheriff Babeu continued, “This immigration reform plan gives Secretary Napolitano six months to come up with a border security plan. What has she been doing for the past four years? She deceptively proclaims border security in order to convince the American people that the border is secure and yet she tells law enforcement officials that the border can't be secured. In Nogales, Arizona on July 7th, 2011 Secretary Napolitano personally told me and several law enforcement officials that 'we are never going to seal the border, and since the beginning of time, we’ve always had contraband and smuggling going through it.' I along with most Americans wonder how the person in charge of securing the border can say we can’t do it. The border can and must be secured. It has already happened in the Yuma Sector where border crossings have been reduced by 97%.”

Sheriff Babeu concluded, “Most agree that we need to reform our immigration system, yet logic and history should demand that our border must be secured first. I applaud this effort to add significant resources to build fencing, add needed staff and improve security. This has to be done first. What is the justification to not secure the border first and then start on reform? I do not trust that the border will be secured under this plan, since the very people in charge already believe we have security. We are asked to trust the very people who recently released 2,228 criminal illegals to our streets and continue to refuse to provide me their names, criminal history, their individual threat assessment, and location of their supervised release. We are asked to trust the very people who covered up Benghazi and gave over 2,000 high powered weapons (AG Holder's Fast & Furious) to the Mexican Drug Cartel that we are fighting. The only failsafe of this plan is if the border is not 90% secure, the plan calls to establish a commission years later to study what went wrong. Border security is a grave national security concern and we should address this as such now. Secure the border first, and then we can talk.”
Date: 4/25/2013
]]> System Account Thu, 25 Apr 2013 15:56:00 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=673 April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=672 Body:
PINAL COUNTY, Ariz. – Last month, Job Anthony Sanchez, 37-years-old, of San Tan Valley, was sentenced in the Pinal County Superior Court to five consecutive life sentences for 18 charges including Child Molestation, Sexual Conduct with a Minor and Sexual Exploitation of a Minor.

Job Sanchez
Chad Walker
On March 21st, 2012, the Pinal County Persons Crimes Unit executed a search warrant at the house of Job Sanchez in San Tan Valley. During the search, they recovered numerous items including video tapes and digital media that Sanchez made of him molesting and sexually abusing a child victim.

This case along with many others illustrates the level of commitment the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office places on investigating and arresting suspects who prey on children.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office and the Arizona Internet Crimes against Children Task Force wants to remind parents and family members to be aware and participate in children’s internet usage and social media interactions to ensure their safety.

The Arizona Internet Crimes against Children Taskforce (AZICAC) has investigated over 30,000 complaints and arrested thousands of suspects since its inception in 1998. The detectives in the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office Persons Crime Unit are among the agencies that participate in the AZICAC. Detectives with the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office Persons Crime Unit have been highly trained in cutting edge forensics and technology that aids in the fight to stop predators from exploiting children through the internet.

On June 6th, 2011, the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 9-1-1 call from a juvenile victim. The victim reported that her “pimp” had beaten her up. The victim proceeded to tell deputies, that her “pimp” had hit her so she jumped out of the vehicle he was driving. The victim identified, Chad Walker, 28-years-old, of Buckeye, as the suspect that had arranged clients for her to meet through his escort service. Detectives executed a search warrant and obtained computers and phones. Those items were taken to the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office Computer Forensics Lab where detectives were able to retrieve valuable data that uncovered a prostitution ring involving juveniles. Chad Walker was sentenced to 45 years in prison.

Sheriff Paul Babeu said, “The use of technology to target and victimize children by deviant predators is a crime of opportunity that we constantly need to combat. As social media and internet become more prevalent in the daily life of children, the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office and AZICAC will stay equipped with the latest tools to help protect children and track down the suspects and hold them accountable for their crimes.”

For more information on how to safeguard children from predators online, please visit www.azicac.org/html/Education.html
Date: 4/22/2013
]]> System Account Mon, 22 Apr 2013 17:01:04 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=672 PCSO Dispatchers Recognized for Tireless Service http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=671 Body:
PINAL COUNTY, Ariz. – This week, April 14th through April 20th, is National Public Safety Telecommunications Week. The week is a time designated to recognize and thank public safety professionals who work tirelessly behind the scenes answering 9-1-1 calls and dispatching emergency equipment and first responders. They also serve as the front line in render life-saving assistance to the citizens during time of crisis.

The Pinal County Sheriff's Office Public Safety Communications Division is a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) for all unincorporated areas of Pinal County and the Pinal Region 9-1-1 Administration for all agencies using 9-1-1 in Pinal County.

“We are a 24-hour, 365-days-per-year operation. We answer all 9-1-1 and non-emergency calls that originate from unincorporated areas of Pinal County,” Jennifer Foster, the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Manager said.

The Pinal County Sheriff's Office Public Safety Communications Division operates law enforcement radio for PCSO and support channels for sister agencies and various task force operations. Dispatchers and 9-1-1 Operators receive a variety of calls for service during any given day anything from cold-case information to in-progress crimes. The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office dispatchers are highly trained having each completed a nine-month training program in order to work in the Dispatch Center.

“Every day, millions of people depend on the skill, expertise and commitment of the men and women who work as public safety telecommunicators,” Foster said. “The Pinal County Sheriff's Office Public Safety Communications Division's Mission Statement proudly proclaims that we are the First, First Responders for all sister agencies, deputies, citizens, and visitors in Pinal County.”

For additional information about PCSO Public Safety Communications Division, contact Jennifer Foster, Dispatch Manger at 520-866-5217.
Date: 4/22/2013
]]> System Account Mon, 22 Apr 2013 16:51:56 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=671 San Tan Valley Child Predator Get Five Life Sentences http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=670 Body:
PINAL COUNTY – On March 29, 2013, Job Anthony Sanchez, 37-years-old, of San Tan Valley, was sentenced in Pinal County Superior Court to five consecutive life sentences for 18 charges ranging from Child Molestation, Sexual Conduct with a Minor and Exploitation of a Minor.

Job Anthony Sanchez
The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office was contacted on March 5, 2012 by a mother of a 10-year-old that said that her daughter and been inappropriately touched by a family friend. The female child victim through forensic interviews disclosed several years of sexual abuse that had been committed by a close family friend, Job Anthony Sanchez.

On March 21, 2012 the Pinal County Persons Crimes Division did a search warrant at the Sanchez residence in San Tan Valley. During the search, they recovered numerous items including video tapes and digital media that Sanchez made of himself molesting and sexually abusing the child victim.

Sanchez was arrested and booked into the Pinal County Adult Detention Center and held on a no bond status. Just days later, a Pinal Superior Court Grand Jury returned an 18 count indictment on Sanchez with charges of Child Molestation, Sexual Conduct with a Minor, Exploitation of a Minor, all of which were Dangerous Crimes Against Children (DCAC) because the victim was under the age of 12.

On January 18, 2013, after a trial, a jury convicted Sanchez on all counts. Last week, the Pinal County Superior Court sentenced Sanchez to five consecutive life sentences with an additional 181 year sentence for the crimes he committed. He has no possibility of parole. Sanchez will be moved to an Arizona Department of Corrections prison where he will spend the rest of his life.

Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, “Mr. Sanchez used his relationship with the victim's family and betrayed that trust and forcibly sexually assaulted this young female victim. The overwhelming majority of child sexual abuse victims are abused by someone they know and trust, a person most parents would never suspect. It is important adults with children encourage their children to know they can talk with them about anything. If you suspect a child has been sexually abused, report it immediately to law enforcement.”
Date: 4/3/2013
]]> System Account Wed, 03 Apr 2013 16:07:35 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=670 Sexual Assault Suspect Caught http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=669 Body:
Dakota Blake Williams
PINAL COUNTY, Ariz. – Last week, the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office released a composite of a suspect wanted for questioning in connection with a sexual assault that happened in the Casa Grande area.

On Tuesday, March 26, 2013, detectives from the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office Persons Crimes Unit arrested Dakota Blake Williams, 23-years-old, of Coolidge, for the sexual assault.

On February 17, 2013, a 32-year- old female was offered a ride by the suspect from a convenience store in Casa Grande to Phoenix. The victim said the suspect pulled off the freeway and sexually assaulted her in the nearby desert. The victim said the man told her his name was William and he was driving a red older model Firebird or Camaro with a t-top.

A tip through Silent Witness lead investigators to Dakota Blake Williams. A search warrant was executed on Tuesday, which resulted in the seizure of a 1994 red Pontiac Firebird. Williams was picked up in Casa Grande by patrol deputies and was identified by the victim through a photo lineup.

Williams has been booked in to the Pinal County Adult Detention Center on one count of sexual assault and one count kidnapping.

Detectives feel there is sufficient evidence that Williams has committed at least one other sexual assault in Pinal County. This case is still under investigation. Attached is the booking photo of Williams. The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone who may have been a victim of Williams to please contact the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office dispatch at 520-866-5111.

Sheriff Paul Babeu said, “Often time victims of sexual assaults don’t report the crime out of fear. This case is a prime example of how serious law enforcement takes these types of crimes. I want to thank the citizen that saw this composite drawing and called into Silent Witness and helped get this violent predator off the streets.”
Date: 4/1/2013
]]> System Account Mon, 01 Apr 2013 18:20:57 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=669 Identity of Sexual Assault Suspect Sought http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=668 Body:
PINAL COUNTY, Ariz. – The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a suspect wanted for questioning in connection with a sexual assault that happen in the Casa Grande area.

On Sunday, February 17, 2013, a 32-year- old female was offered a ride by the suspect at an AM/PM convenience store on Florence Boulevard in the Casa Grande area.

The suspect told the woman his name was William. The suspect then drove the female into the desert located near Woodruff Lane and Henness Road and sexually assaulted her.

The suspect is described as a male in his mid-20s, about 6 feet tall weighing 180 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eye. He was driving a red older model Chevy Camaro with a t-top.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts or identity of the suspect is asked to contact the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office at 520-866-5111.
Date: 3/25/2013
]]> System Account Mon, 25 Mar 2013 18:00:04 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=668 Former Fire Chief Arrested For Theft http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=667 Body:
Charles Vega
PINAL COUNTY, Ariz. - On Wednesday, February 20th, 2013, the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office arrested Hayden’s former acting Fire Chief Charles Vega, 37 years old, of Hayden, for theft and trafficking in stolen property.

In late December, Hayden Police contacted Pinal County Sheriff’s Office after money from an annual dance fundraiser for the town’s volunteer fire department was found to be missing. Hayden Police told sheriff deputies they believed the theft had been done by a town employee.

During the course of the investigation, Gila County Sheriff’s Office was investigating a theft of property from the Asarco Mine located in Kearny. It was soon discovered which recently removed Fire Chief for the Town of Hayden, Charles Vega, was a former employee of the Asarco Mine, and one of the last people to have the stolen items.

The items stolen from the mine were as many as four chainsaws worth $1,120 each. It was also discovered that the chainsaws ordered at the mine that were missing were delivered to the Asarco Mine warehouse to Charles Vega.

During the investigation, deputies discovered that the Gila County Sheriff’s Office had impounded one of the stolen chainsaws after Vega attempted to sell the chainsaw to replace the money he had stolen from the town fundraiser.

After changing his story several times, Vega finally confessed to deputies that he had stolen the chainsaw from the Asarco Mine to be able to replace the money he stole from the town fund.

The dance was a fundraiser hosted by the Town of Hayden for the volunteer fire department. They raised $850 which Vega said he spent on small items for the fire department and then used the rest to buy personal items for himself.

Vega was arrested and booked on Theft of Controlled Property and Trafficking in Stolen Property-2nd degree. He has since been released on his own recognizance.
Date: 3/20/2013
]]> System Account Wed, 20 Mar 2013 14:32:11 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=667 ICE Director John Morton Confirms the Release of Criminal Illegals - Including the Most Dangerous “Level One” Detainees http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=666 Body:
The terrorist attacks on the United States of America on September 11th, 2001 were the most devastating to ever occur on U.S. soil. On November 27th, 2002 the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, also known as the 9/11 Commission was formed. The Commission acknowledged there are some real security interests which must be kept in secrecy but these concerns must be weighed against other pertinent concerns such as transparency:

“The culture of agencies feeling they own the information they gathered at taxpayer expense must be replaced by a culture in which the agencies instead feel they have a duty to information—to repay the taxpayers’ investment by making that information available.”

On Saturday, February 23rd, 2013 Immigration Customs Enforcement employees who work as Detention Removal Officers were called into work and 207 illegals were processed and released from the ICE Eloy facility on this date alone. Of the 207, a total of 48 of them had been charged or convicted in the United States with either manslaughter, child molestation, aggravated assault, weapon offenses, forgery, drug offenses and or other serious crimes.

Whistleblowers including ICE Supervisors, ICE employees, U.S. Border Patrol Supervisors and employees immediately reached out to Sheriff Babeu and informed him about what theywere being ordered to do by ICE Administration in Washington, D.C. Employees knew what they were being ordered to do was unethical and completely contrary to their sworn oath to protect the American public.

Employees had serious concerns about the clear public safety threats this would cause to the American public because many of the detainees being released have criminal records and they were being ordered to give them court dates as distant as two to three years away from their release date.

Sheriff Babeu immediately contacted senior staff members at ICE in an attempt to confirm the information he was being told by whistleblowers, to determine who made the decision, where the detainees were being released too, and a list of their names, criminal histories and security risks. All attempts to obtain information were refused and the only information he continued to receive was through whistleblowers.

After failing to be given any information from ICE Officials, on February 26th, 2013 Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu sent out the attached News Release notifying the public of the release of over 500 criminal illegal detainees from detention facilities in Pinal County. ICE had attempted to release all of the criminal illegals under secrecy. Later that day, ICE acknowledged the release but said it was “only a few hundred nationwide.”

As public pressure mounted, ICE later admitted they released over 2,000 illegals from detention facilities throughout the United States and planned to release another 3,000 more this month.

After this information went public, ICE officials had supervisors attend briefings and also sent emails to employees threatening employees who released information on this matter to a third party would be disciplined and possibly terminated.

On February 28th, 2013 Sheriff Babeu sent the attached letter to Secretary Napolitano formally asking for the same information. Still as of today, we haven’t heard back but have heard from ICE supervisors, she will not be providing our office the information we requested.

On March 4th, 2013 Sheriff Babeu faxed and sent by mail, the attached letter to Congressman Issa (Chairman of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee) requesting a congressional inquiry and oversight hearings to investigate the recent mass release of more than 2,000 criminal illegals from ICE custody.

On March 5th, 2013 Congressman Issa announced that he will be launching a formal investigation into this matter.

On March 14th, 2013, ICE Director John Morton told members of Congress during his testimony, in fact 629 of the released detainees had criminal records here in the United States. Ten of which were “LEVEL ONE” offenders which are the most dangerous classification of any detainee in ICE custody. Director Morton said, the ten are back in ICE custody yet he has still refused to provide local law enforcement agencies any information.

Our office has not been notified if the ten who were rearrested include the two released from the Eloy ICE facility who had been charged with manslaughter, or the ones who were charged with molesting children, weapon offenses or aggravated assault.

Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, “Secretary Napolitano continues to proclaim that the border is secure and now the Obama administration attempted to release thousands of criminal illegals from custody. They tried to do it in secrecy, then admitted it was only a few hundred, then over two- thousand and then said none of them had criminal records, yet now we know once again they weren’t being truthful or transparent. Director Morton has now confirmed over 30% of them have criminal records. Recidivism is always high among those released from custody and now there is no doubt it will be even higher amongst these individuals as they are not even legal U.S. citizens. We may never know how high the recidivism rate is on these criminal illegals because Secretary Napolitano refuses to provide law enforcement with their names, criminal histories, security threat or locations.”

Sheriff Babeu concluded, "At least with Eric Holder's Fast & Furious the 2,000 high powered guns were given to the drug cartels in Mexico, these 2,200 serious criminals were released directly into our communities. Our law abiding citizens and families will be victimized by serious crimes for years to come by President Obama's mass prison break."
Date: 3/19/2013
]]> System Account Tue, 19 Mar 2013 15:39:17 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=666 Semi-Truck Drug Load Squashed http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=665 Body:
PINAL COUNTY, Ariz. - On Wednesday, March 13th, 2013, the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Task Force seized 1,243 pound of marijuana from the back of a semi-truck carrying produce.


A Pinal County Sheriff’s Office K-9 deputy on patrol along I-10 at milepost 206 noticed a semi truck abruptly change lanes when he saw the marked unit sitting in the median.

The deputy pulled into the westbound lanes behind the semi-truck which continued it erratic movements. The deputy observed the driver change lanes without a turn signal, cut off vehicles and slow down to 40 miles per hour on the interstate.

The deputy stopped the truck for the traffic violations. As the deputy approached the trailer of the semi-truck he immediately smelled marijuana. The driver, Norberto De La Vega, 59 years old, of California, told the deputy was returning to Los Angeles. He acted very nervous and was visibly shaking as he handed over his paperwork. This gave the deputy enough suspicion to retrieve his canine partner. The dog alerted immediately on the trailer and the deputy called for backup from the Narcotics Task Force.

Norberto De La Vega
The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office Narcotic Task Force made entry into the trailer. Inside were 32 large cardboard vegetable bins full of squash. The cardboard bins had ventilation type holes that revealed duct-tape wrapped packages concealed underneath the squash.

As deputies continued to investigate and offload the trailer a total of 1,243 pounds of marijuana was found hidden inside the cardboard bins. The marijuana has an estimated street value of nearly $925,000. De La Vega was placed under arrest and faces an array of drug offense charges.

After the evidence was secured and ownership of the load was declined by all parties, the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office donated the squash to St. Mary’s Food Bank.

Sheriff Paul Babeu said, “The cartels from Mexico attempt to move their drugs by foot, car, truck and semi. Thanks to our alert K-9 handler and his dog, this load was squashed. Our office will begin forfeiture proceedings on the semi-truck and trailer which were used to transport the marijuana.”
Date: 3/19/2013
]]> System Account Tue, 19 Mar 2013 15:21:10 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=665 PINAL COUNTY MURDER SUSPECT ARRESTED IN COLORADO http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=664 Body:

U.S. Marshals Service

PHOENIX – Yesterday, Corey D. Allen, 28, was arrested in Leadville, Colorado by the U.S. Marshals Service. In November 2012, in San Tan Valley, Arizona, the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call relating to an individual being threatened with a handgun. The reporting person, Nicole Frauton, claimed her mother, Linda Perelli-Brown, was being threatened by one of Frauton’s male acquaintances at the family’s home. Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the residence and found Ms. Perelli-Brown shot multiple times. Corey Deandre Allen was identified as the perpetrator, and an arrest warrant was issued charging him with First Degree Murder and Kidnapping.

The U.S. Marshals-led Arizona WANTED Violent Offender Task Force immediately began investigating Allen’s whereabouts. Numerous leads were followed in Arizona, in close coordination with the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office. Eventually, information was developed indicating Allen was possibly hiding out at a residence southwest of Denver, Colorado. Colorado-based Deputy Marshals and Task Force Officers were able to develop additional information that led them to Leadville where Allen was located and arrested without further incident.

“Corey Allen is a great example of the violent offenders my Deputy U.S. Marshals and Task Force Officers hunt down on a regular basis,” said David P. Gonzales, U.S. Marshal for the District of Arizona. “Corey Allen’s brutal murder of Ms. Perelli-Brown made him a top priority for us. We never stopped looking for him, and now we hope that Allen’s arrest can give some comfort to the Perelli-Brown family.”

Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, "On November 25th, 2012 Linda Perelli-Brown was brutally gunned down inside of her own home by Corey Deandre Allen. The murder was done execution-style as Linda was pleading for her life while talking on the phone with her daughter. Thanks to the hard work of our Homicide unit and the persistence of the U.S. Marshals Service, this killer is now in custody and will hopefully face the death penalty for this senseless crime."

Allen was booked into the Lake County jail, where he awaits extradition to Arizona.

The United States Marshals Service is the nation’s oldest federal law enforcement agency. Annually, U.S. Marshals arrest more than 50 percent of all federal fugitives and serve more federal warrants than all other federal agencies combined. For more information on USMS Fifteen Most Wanted fugitives and USMS Major Cases, go to www.usmarshals.gov.

Date: 3/12/2013
]]> System Account Tue, 12 Mar 2013 15:05:00 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=664 PCSO Air Unit Rescues Elderly ATV Rider http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=663 Body:
Pinal County Sheriff's Office Air Unit "Raven 1"
PINAL COUNTY, Ariz. - On Wednesday, March 6st. 2013 at 1:40 p.m., members of the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office Air Unit responded to an ATV accident involving an elderly male patient.

The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office received a call that a 77 year-old had crashed on an ATV in the remote area of Telegraph Canyon outside of Superior.

The caller told dispatchers, the patient, Dwayne Turley,

77 years old, had lost consciousness following the accident and members of his party were unable to get cell phone service from the accident scene. They reported they had loaded Turley onto a vehicle and traveled to the top of a hill to call 9-1-1 for help.

Members from the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office Air Unit were able to get GPS coordinates from the 9-1-1 caller and were able to locate the party and dropped Search and Rescue members into the scene and evaluate the patient’s condition.

The deputies coordinated with a unit from Air Evac to rush the unstable patient to Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn with serious head injuries.

Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, “When enjoying our great outdoors, individuals are reminded whether hiking or traveling off-road it is important to plan ahead. Mr. Turley did just that and had a cell phone with him which provided us with his GPS coordinates. With the GPS coordinates, we were able to locate him quickly and get him the medical attention he needed.”
Date: 3/11/2013
]]> System Account Mon, 11 Mar 2013 23:08:56 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=663 Cheerleader “Hit List” Investigation http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=662 Body:
PINAL COUNTY, Ariz. – On Wednesday, March 6th, 2013 at 6 a.m. the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office received a call from the Florence Unified School District regarding a “hit list” which was discovered on the internet and reported to them by a parent of one of the students on the list.

The list was created by two female students; an 8th grade student at Walker Butte K-8 and a 10th grade student at Poston Butte High School, and placed on the social media site Instagram. Also on the media site was an icon of a pistol next to the word “hit list.”

Both girls were contacted and interviewed by deputies. The girls, both cheerleaders, told deputies they had created the list to name people they disliked. The girls maintained they had no intentions to do harm to any of the students or the teacher on the list.

The investigation is still underway as deputies continue to talk with people involved in the case. School administrators also continue to assist us with the investigation.

Upon completion of the investigation, the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office will likely submit the case to the County Attorney’s Office for charges of Threatening and Intimidating.

Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, “With recent school shootings across the Country all possible threats of violence at schools are taken seriously by law enforcement. Parents are encouraged to talk with their children and explain the seriousness of making such threats whether they are meant as a joke or not.”
Date: 3/11/2013
]]> System Account Mon, 11 Mar 2013 22:55:36 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=662 Reckless Impaired Driver Flips Truck http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=661 Body:
On Friday, March 1st. 2013 at 12:10 p.m., the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office responded to several 9-1-1 calls from citizens in the San Tan Valley area about a pickup flipping several times near the intersection of Skyline and Tombstone Roads.

Deputies arrived on scene and found a white 2004 Chevy extended cab pickup, upright with significant roof damage. The passenger, Carlos Santillana, 45 years old, had been ejected from the pickup as it rolled and was being tended to by several witnesses for significant injuries he had sustained.

The pickup’s driver, Glenn Allen Oglesby, 55 years old, of Chandler, showed obvious signs of alcohol and drug impairment. He was very insistent that the deputies allow him to take his personal bag from the wreckage as they tried to remove him from the accident scene. Deputies opened the bag and retrieved a bottle of brandy and were also able to locate a drug pipe outside the driver’s door in the accident debris.

Roadway evidence and witness statements, determined the vehicle Oglesby was driving was traveling west on Skyline road where he cut off several oncoming drivers. He then proceeded south onto a dirt road paralleling a farm field where he traveled for a short distance before erratically over-correcting as he tried to return to the asphalt thus losing control at the embankment where his truck began rolling several times.

Santillana was airlifted to Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn where he remains in ICU with life threatening head injuries. Oglesby was treated by medical personnel for facial injuries.

Due to the driver’s alcohol and drug impairment and the life threatening injuries sustained to the passenger, blood was collected from Oglesby. The collision remains under investigation and criminal charges are pending against Oglesby.
Date: 3/11/2013
]]> System Account Mon, 11 Mar 2013 22:51:44 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=661 Pursuits Tied to Smuggling http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=660 Body:
On Monday, February 25th, 2013 at 3:07 p.m. a Pinal County Sheriff’s Office Deputy was traveling eastbound on Highway 84 from Russell Road. The deputy attempted to stop a vehicle after he had observed it speeding. The driver failed to yield and a pursuit was initiated. The vehicle was traveling at 80 mph in a 55 mph zone. The vehicle slowed down suddenly and then turned back westbound onto Highway 84. When the vehicle turned around, the driver’s side rear tire came off of the vehicle.

The vehicle accelerated and continued westbound. The vehicle eventually turned into a muddy farm field and attempted to get away. The vehicle became stuck and the driver and passenger ran from the vehicle.

         

The driver and passenger were both caught and identified as Dimas Daniel Orundo-Lopez (age 40) and the passenger was identified as Claudio Santiago Orduno-Canez (age 27). Both admitted they were in the United States illegally.

Inside of the vehicle, deputies located 35 bundles of packaged marijuana which weighed 759 pounds. The marijuana had a street value of $569,250.

Lopez (below left photo) and Canez (below right photo) were both booked into the Pinal County Adult Detention Center for Possession of Marijuana for Sale, Transportation of Marijuana for Sale and Lopez was also charged with Felony Flight.

    

On Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at 6:30 a.m. a Pinal County Sheriff’s Deputy attempted to stop a Chevy truck near Alsdorf Road and Eleven Mile Corner in Eloy after the driver was observed committing several traffic violations. The driver of the vehicle failed to yield and a pursuit was initiated. The pursuit lasted for several minutes and during the pursuit the driver was speeding and running stop signs.

The vehicle eventually was traveling southbound on La Palma Road and then turned westbound onto Shedd Road and then turned southbound into the desert field. The driver of the vehicle obviously did not know about the concrete irrigation canal until it was almost too late. The driver swerved to avoid it and lost control of his vehicle.

After coming to a stop, the driver and nine passengers fled the vehicle. Deputies, members of the U.S. Border Patrol and PCSO Air Unit all searched for the individuals. Seven of the individuals were located, detained and later turned over to U.S. Border Patrol for processing.

On Thursday, February 28, 2013 at 10 a.m. a Pinal County Sheriff’s Office Deputy attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation. The vehicle fled and a pursuit was initiated. The pursuit was on Standfield Road near Peters Road when the suspect vehicle drove into the desert. Several suspects bailed out of the vehicle and ran into the desert. With the assistance of the PCSO Air Unit and Border Patrol Agents, all of the individuals were located and turned over to U.S. Border Patrol for processing.
Date: 3/5/2013
]]> System Account Tue, 05 Mar 2013 16:10:49 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=660 Arizona Detention Association Recognizes Three PCSO Staff Members with Awards http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=659 Body:

On Monday, February 25th, 2013 the “Arizona Detention Association” began their annual conference. On that evening at an awards dinner, Deputy Chief James Kimble was recognized as the “Jail Administrator of the Year” for the State of Arizona, Chaplain Michael Whitaker was recognized as the “Jail Chaplain of the Year,” and Sheriff Paul Babeu was presented with a plaque thanking him for his support of the “Arizona Detention Association.”

Deputy Chief Kimble was recommended for this award to the Arizona Detention Association because of his strong leadership, positive changes he has made in our Adult Detention Center and because of the fact we were the first Adult Detention Center in Arizona to receive our National Accreditation and the first across the Country to obtain the accreditation with a perfect score when evaluated on 594 legal based standards related to the care and custody of inmates.

Chaplain Whitaker serves as the Religious Services Coordinator at the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, Adult Detention Center. Chaplain Whitaker not only provides services to the inmate/detainee population, as he also ministers and offers counseling to our staff. When he is not working at PCSO, he provides Chaplaincy services throughout Pinal County. Michael is involved in camp ministry, filling in as an interim pastor and counselor to former inmates and their families as they adjust back into society. He has received training to counsel sex and drug offenders as well as assisting people to stay on track to lead a pro-social life.

It is the mission of the Arizona Detention Association to assist the Sheriffs of Arizona by providing a platform to “Join together all counties concerned with or responsible for the custody and care of persons awaiting trial, serving sentences or otherwise being locally confined to improve the conditions and systems under which such persons are detained.”

Date: 3/1/2013
]]> System Account Fri, 01 Mar 2013 21:14:50 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=659 Thousands of Criminal Illegals Being Released http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=658 Body:
Pinal County, Ariz – Sheriff Paul Babeu blasted the Washington gridlock regarding the “Sequester Budget Battle” and says it is already harming public safety in Arizona by ICE’s mass release of hundreds of illegals and plans for the release of nearly 10,000 more criminal illegals from prison.

Many of these ICE detainees are held at private facilities, which are contracted to house criminal illegals. ICE reportedly plans to reduce their available beds to 25,700 from their current 34,000. Sheriff Babeu said, “Clearly, serious criminals are being released to the streets of our local communities by this mass budget pardon. These are illegals that even President Obama wants to deport. This is insane that public safety is sacrificed when it should be the budget priority that’s safeguarded.”

ICE agents were paid overtime Saturday and Sunday to release over 500 detainees in Pinal County alone. These criminal illegals were scheduled for deportation, yet now they receive a pardon and once again become the problem of local law enforcement and a burden to the state of Arizona. The President predicts a doomsday scenario and his plans are already being implemented.

Sheriff Babeu concluded, “President Obama would never release 500 criminal illegals to the streets of his home town, yet he has no problem with releasing them in Arizona. The safety of the public is threatened and the rule of law discarded as a political tactic in this Sequester Battle.”
Date: 2/28/2013
]]> System Account Thu, 28 Feb 2013 16:45:34 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=658 PCSO Search and Rescue has a Busy Past 12 Hours http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=657 Body:
During the past 12 hours the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office has been involved with three separate Search and Rescue missions. Two of the calls for help related to missing hikers have been resolved with the individuals being located. Search and Rescue members are still looking for the last remaining hiker.
  • At 8:30 p.m. the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office received a call related to a missing hiker. Robin Byrd (age 51) had gone hiking in the Superstition Mountains and was supposed to be picked up at the Peralta Trailhead at 6 p.m. She never showed up to meet her friends so they called us at 8:30 p.m. for help

    It should be noted, PCSO Search and Rescue was also called to search for Robin Byrd during December of 2012 in the Superstition Mountains after friends reported her missing. PCSO Air Unit located her and she was taken to safety on that incident. Robin stated she was searching for the “Lost Duchman’s Gold Mine” when she because lost on that occasion.

    PCSO Search and Rescue is still looking for her on this call with the assistance of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, Search and Rescue team.

  • At 8:45 p.m. the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office received a call related to a missing ATV rider. A 39-year-old female had gotten into a verbal dispute after drinking alcohol with her husband. The female was upset and walked away following the argument. She was missing for 2 to 3 hours before we received the call. She was returned home safely.

  • At 10:30 p.m. the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office received a call related to three male hikers who went for a day hike in the Superstition Mountains and were supposed to return by 4 p.m. This morning at 12:30 a.m. the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office Air Unit located a light source near a trail. Search and Rescue members were sent to investigate and located the three missing hikers.

    The hikers said they had met with Robin Byrd around 4 p.m. several miles into the trail. Robin had given them wrong direction to get to the parking lot at the trailhead and they became lost.
Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, “The Pinal County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team already has had a record year for the number of calls for service related to lost hikers. Individuals are encouraged to enjoy the great outdoors and the beautiful hiking trails of the Superstition Mountains but they need to be prepared and monitor the weather before starting their adventure.”
Date: 2/25/2013
]]> System Account Mon, 25 Feb 2013 20:10:40 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=657 PCSO Search and Rescue Finds Missing Hiker http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=656 Body:
UDPATE: Approximately one hour ago, Robin Byrd was located by Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, Search and Rescue Posse members. She was located along the Bluff Springs Trail deep within the Superstition Mountains. She was warmed up and is in the process of being flown down to an awaiting ambulance. She will then be taken to a local hospital to be evaluated.

Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, “The around the clock work of Search and Rescue Team members is undoubtedly what saved the life of Robin Byrd once again. Hopefully she has learned a lesson this time and won’t be returning to hike alone in the Superstition Mountains.”

This evening, Pinal County Search and Rescue Team members also were called to find a lost hunter in the area of Willow Springs Road and Highway 77. The hunter had become lost and disoriented in the snow and used his cell phone to call for help. Search and Rescue Team members were able to locate him and helped him return to his vehicle.
Date: 2/25/2013
]]> System Account Mon, 25 Feb 2013 20:07:10 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=656 Suspect Arrested for Aggravated Assault http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=655 Body:

On Saturday February 16th, 2013 at 8:19 p.m. a Coolidge Police Officer attempted to contact the driver of a station wagon after the vehicle had been observed speeding on Arizona Boulevard north of Gibson Avenue. The driver of the vehicle stopped at the “Bob’s Service Station.” As the officer was about to approach the driver, the vehicle sped off through a field. A pursuit ensued until the driver stopped his vehicle and dropped off three passengers in the area of Congress and Washington Avenue. The original officer stopped and detained the three passengers. The suspect vehicle accelerated and headed westbound.

Other officers were able to locate the vehicle a short distance away. As the vehicle drove towards the officers vehicles, the driver turned south and struck a residential gas meter and six foot chain link fence. The vehicle was high centered yet the driver attempted to dislodge the vehicle to get free.

One of the Coolidge Officers fired one round into the rear tire of the suspect vehicle in an attempt to keep it from fleeing again. The bullet ricocheted after striking the rim of the tire and hit one of the other officers in the cheek. The officer sustained a minor injury. He was treated and released at a local hospital.

The driver of the vehicle, Korrin Harmon (age 34 of Florence) decided at that point it was time to surrender. He was taken into custody without further incident. Harmon admitted he is currently on parole and has always run from the police since he was age 15. He told detectives when he put the vehicle in reverse he saw at least two officers in full uniform behind him.

Harmon has a past history of drug offenses, felony flight and theft.

Harmon is currently in the process of being booked into the Pinal County Adult Detention Center for numerous counts of Aggravated Assault and Endangerment.

Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, “The men and women who wear law enforcement badges are sworn to serve and protect. Each day they risk their lives to protect the citizens they serve. Pinal County Attorney Lando Voyles was not only at the scene of this investigation but he will also be at the Initial Appearance to request Harmon is held on a no bond status. There were far too many cases with our former County Attorney where suspects would injure law enforcement or citizens and then just get probation. County Attorney Voyles will not let that happen.”

 

Date: 2/19/2013
]]> System Account Tue, 19 Feb 2013 20:47:23 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=655 Deputy Ivan Villafana Commended for Lifesaving Actions http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=654 Body:

On Tuesday, February 5th, 2013 at 6:26 p.m. the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office received a 9-1-1 hang-up call from a resident at the “Encore RV Park” in Casa Grande. As deputies were responding to the residence, the 9-1-1 Operator called the number back. A male answered the phone and said his wife’s “dialysis fistula” had opened and she was bleeding profusely from her arm. The female was slipping in and out of consciousness because of the amount of blood she had already loss. Deputy Ivan Villafana arrived within minutes of the original 9-1-1 call coming into our Communications Center. He immediately assessed the situation as the female was bleeding profusely even through the towel her husband was attempting to hold on her arm to slow the bleeding. Deputy Villafana removed the towel and applied direct pressure with his hand to the wound which immediately stopped the bleeding. A short time later, Emergency Medical Services personnel arrived on scene and quickly applied a tourniquet to her arm. The female was still drifting in and out of consciousness. She was rushed to a local hospital where she was provided with a blood transfusion to save her life. Medical personnel said that if Deputy Villafana would not have intervened when he did and taken lifesaving action, the female would have died. Medical staff credited Deputy Villafana with saving her life because of his quick actions.

Deputy Villafana has been a member of the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office since January of 2011. He is also a United States Army Reserves assigned to the 56th Military Police Company (combat support). Next month Staff Sergeant Villafana will be deployed back to Afghanistan in support of “Operation Enduring Freedom.” He has been in the Army Reserves for seven years and was deployed one time prior in 2007 in Support of “Operation Iraqi Freedom.”

On February 19, 2013 Deputy Ivan Villafana was presented with a Lifesaving Medal by Sheriff Paul Babeu.

Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, “I am proud of Deputy Villafana both for his service as a Pinal County Sheriff’s Deputy and also as a member of our Armed Forces. When a family member called 9-1-1 for help, Deputy Villafana was there for them and thanks to his quick thinking and actions their loved one was saved.”

 

Date: 2/19/2013
]]> System Account Tue, 19 Feb 2013 20:37:07 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=654 PCSO Working Child Drowning Call http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=653 Body:
On Tuesday, February 12th, 2013 at 1:34 p.m. the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office received a 9-1-1 call related to a child drowning in the 34000 block of North Barzona Trail, San Tan Valley.

Deputies arrived at the residence in less than two minutes from the time they were dispatched.

The one-year-old female child had been at the residence with her grandmother. The backdoor to the residence was left open and the child had exited the residence and went into the backyard. Once in the backyard, the child fell into the family pool.

The grandmother had come out of the residence a short time later and discovered her granddaughter still in the pool. The grandmother jumped into the pool and pulled the child out. The grandmother performed CPR on the child until deputies and emergency medical personnel arrived and took over lifesaving treatment.

The child was transported to a local hospital and then transported by air ambulance to Cardon Children’s Hospital in Mesa.

The child was pronounced deceased a short while ago.
Date: 2/14/2013
]]> System Account Thu, 14 Feb 2013 13:57:14 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=653 Suspect Deported After Serving Half His Prison Term for Felony Offense Returns to the U.S. Illegally Once Again http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=652 Body:
On Tuesday, February 5th, 2013 a Pinal County Sheriff’s Deputy stopped a 1994 GMC truck near the intersection of North Highway 87 and East of Steele Road in Pinal County. The registration on the truck was “Mandatory Insurance Suspended” per the Arizona Department of Motor Vehicle Division.

The driver of the vehicle provided his identification and the passenger was identified per a pictured Arizona Identification Card as Ramon Montijo (age 52). During a routine warrant check, it was discovered Montijo had an outstanding felony probation warrant for his arrest. The warrant stated that “any law enforcement contact with this subject - contact the Arizona Department of Corrections Fugitive Service Unit.”

The warrant was confirmed and Montijo was arrested and booked into the Pinal County Adult Detention Center. Montijo is currently being held on a “no bond status.”

It was later determined, Montijo had served only half of his Arizona Department of Corrections sentence related to an “Aggravated Felony” he was convicted of committing. Montijo was then released from custody, deported and instructed not to return to the United States again or he would have to serve out the remainder of his original sentence.

Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, “It is hard to understand why a U.S. citizen when convicted of a felony offense has to serve their entire term but if you come into our Country illegally, all you have to say is I promise I won’t come back. You are then allowed to leave after serving only half of your time behind bars. After a recent helicopter tour of the border, Secretary Napolitano has now declared that the border is secure. This example along with the hundreds of thousands of other examples show it is NOT.”
Date: 2/7/2013
]]> System Account Thu, 07 Feb 2013 21:38:06 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=652 International Fraud Investigation Began with Cyber Attack on Store Chains Security System http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=651 Body:
On Friday, January 18th, 2013, the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office began receiving numerous reports of fraudulent credit and debit card use/transactions. As of this morning, our office has received over 400 reported cases.

It has been determined during the investigation that the victims had all used their credit or debit cards at either Bashas, AJ’s Fine Foods and or Food City locations to make purchases. The fraudulent charges to victims accounts are occurring in Arizona, Texas, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, North Carolina, Italy, France, Canada and Mexico.

The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office has been working with Federal, State, and City law enforcement agencies on this case as it has become International. The FBI has taken the lead in the investigation.

The Bashas’ Family of Stores has cooperated with investigators. The store became the victim of a cyber attack which began in June or July of 2012 and was done by suspects who were able to gain access to parts of their security system used to capture payment information from customers. The highly-sophisticated piece of malware software has been identified and contained. Bashas will be posting information related to this security breach at all of their stores to notify customers.

Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, “All Pinal County citizens who have reported the frauds have had their bank accounts reimbursed. Numerous investigators from various law enforcement agencies are working around the clock to find those responsible and put them behind bars. We need your help to identify the three individuals in the photo provided as they are considered investigative leads. We strongly encourage everyone to closely monitor their debit and credit card accounts and report anything suspicious.”

To report fraudulent activity on your credit and debit accounts or to identify the three individuals, please call the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency phone number at 1-800-420-8689 or 520-866-5111.
Date: 2/6/2013
]]> System Account Wed, 06 Feb 2013 21:42:18 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=651 Suspect Deported Five Previous Times Assaults Deputy During Arrest http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=650 Body:
On February 1st, 2013 at 6:40 p.m. a Pinal County Sheriff’s Deputy assigned to the Traffic Unit conducted a traffic stop on a 2000 Ford truck at the intersection of SR 287 and Arizona Blvd in Coolidge. The driver of the truck was identified per a pictured Arizona Identification Card as Deyanira Cordero (age 36 of Coolidge). Cordero did not have an Arizona Drivers License.

The passenger in the vehicle was verbally identified as Jorge Luis Morales-Espinoza (age 37 of Coolidge). During a warrants check, the deputy discovered Espinoza had a Federal U.S. Marshal felony warrant for probation violation related to him illegally entering the United States.

The warrant was confirmed and deputies told Espinoza he was under arrest. Espinoza resisted arrest and fought with the deputies in an attempt to get away. He was taken to the ground and placed into custody. One of the deputies injured his hand during the struggle. It was later discovered, Espinoza had an additional warrant for his arrest under an alias, which was linked to him using a prior booking photo.

Cordero admitted to knowing that Espinoza had been deported several times and was not supposed to be in the United States, she was also arrested for hindering prosecution by harboring a wanted felon. Her brother arrived on scene and informed the deputies, Cordero was also in the United States illegally.

ICE was contacted and confirmed both Cordero and Espinoza were both illegally in the United States.

Espinoza was found to have been deported from the United States on five separate occasions since 2005. He was last deported during December of 2012. He was federally prosecuted for illegal entry on his last deportation. Espinoza criminal history shows he has numerous arrests in Arizona as well as convictions for Extreme DUI and Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer.

Cordero was booked for hindering prosecution. Espinoza was booked on Aggravated Assault on Law Enforcement and Resisting Arrest, as well as his numerous warrants. 

Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, “Our elected officials should not be considering ways to give citizenship to those who entered the U.S. illegally until our border is truly secure. While the U.S. Border Patrol and law enforcement agencies do the best they can, unfortunately this administration does not take border security seriously but as they say - what difference at this point does it make.”
Date: 2/6/2013
]]> System Account Wed, 06 Feb 2013 21:17:04 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=650 PCSO Helicopter Airlifts Injured Hiker to Safety http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=649 Body:
On Thursday, January 31st, 2013 the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office received a call related to a 64 year-old female who had broken her right ankle while hiking near Freemont Saddle in the Superstition Mountains. The female was with other members of her hiking club at the time.

The caller stated the female was in extreme pain and not able to hike to safety due to the rough terrain and the extent of her injury.

The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office sent members of our Search and Rescue team and Posse to find the injured hiker. Once found, they carried her 200 feet to the top of the mountain in a stokes basket. The basket was then loaded into the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office helicopter. She was airlifted to the bottom of the mountain and transported to a local hospital.

The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office – Aviation Unit began January of 2012. During their first year, the Aviation Unit had a total of 681 flight hours. Below are the statistics for the first year of operation.

Patrol Assists 62
Narcotic Task Force Assists 5
Other Agency Assists 38
Criminal Investigation Bureau Assists 4
Anti Smuggling Unit Assists 4
Traffic Unit Assists 4
Search and Rescue Missions 22
Pursuits 23
West Desert Task Force Assists 62
Silverbell Initiative Assists 8
SWAT Assists 6
Recovered Stolen Vehicles 16
Apprehensions 67 suspects
Seizures 4
Marijuana Interdiction 14,801 pounds
Scout Sites Discovered 7

Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, “Our Aviation Unit has been in existence now for one year. During that year, they have had an extremely positive impact on public safety not only for our members but for our visitors and citizens throughout Pinal County. Once they arrive on scene, they serve as a force multiplier. Now when suspects run, they don’t get away but rather just go to jail tired.”
Date: 2/6/2013
]]> System Account Wed, 06 Feb 2013 21:09:40 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=649 Clerk Uses Stun Gun Against Suspect During Aggravated Robbery http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=647 Body:
On Saturday, January 26th, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office received a 9-1-1 call in reference to an Aggravated Robbery in progress at the Skyline Market located at 5650 East Skyline Market Road, San Tan Valley.

Deputies arrived on scene within two minutes of the original call being received. The store clerk had detained Celerino Inguez Mendoza Jr. (age 13) in connection with the Aggravated Robbery. The second suspect was identified by another customer in the store as Humberto Sanchez (age 18). Sanchez had fled in a northeasterly direction after the robbery.

The investigation revealed Mendoza and Sanchez entered the business and grabbed two 18-packs of Budlight beer. Both males tried to leave the store without paying. The clerk attempted to stop them but Sanchez made it out the door and fled on foot. Mendoza attempted to follow but was caught by the clerk.

Mendoza (pictured to the left) was involved in a physical confrontation with the clerk as he attempted to escape. During the struggle, the clerk feared for his safety and used a stun gun in an effort to detain him. The clerk reported he used the stun gun on three separate occasions while trying to restrain Mendoza.

Mendoza was booked into the Pinal County Juvenile Detention Center for one count of Aggravated Robbery. Mendoza has a prior recent arrest for a burglary offense as well.


Deputies and detectives are still searching for Humberto Sanchez (pictured to the right). If anybody has any information regarding his whereabouts they are asked to contact the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office at 520-866-5111. Sanchez has prior arrests for burglary, theft, disorderly conduct, and assault.
Date: 1/29/2013
]]> System Account Tue, 29 Jan 2013 15:33:52 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=647 Sheriff Babeu's Letter to the President http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=646 Body:
Dear Mr. President,

Last year, I was re-elected overwhelmingly to my second term as Sheriff of Pinal County, Arizona. The citizens of Pinal County have placed their sacred trust into my hands and the hands of my office to keep them and their families safe.

Our nation has seen several tragic attacks against innocent adults and children by criminals armed with guns. Because of these attacks, many politicians including yourself have used these tragic events as a means to push their agenda related to “gun control.”

America has seen an even higher number of our citizens killed by impaired drivers involved in automobile collisions. Why are you not seeking to remove vehicles from our roadways?….it’s because you realize it’s the drivers who are at fault and not the vehicle they were driving. This same analogy holds true with these shootings….it’s not the gun that’s at fault but rather the criminals who use them. Do you honestly feel that any criminal or someone who is mentally ill will obey an executive order made by you related to “gun control?” Criminals get their name, because they don’t follow our laws already Mr. President.

I have sworn a solemn oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America when I was first sworn in as an Army Private, later as an Army Officer, then as a Police Officer and now twice as the constitutionally elected Sheriff. You too Mr. President have taken the same oath, therefore I am gravely alarmed - just as most Americans are that you would attempt to circumvent the Constitution of the United States.

The most important office in our republic is that of a private citizen. You are not a dictator or a king, who can act unilaterally and ignore our legislative process of law making. All elected leaders are empowered as a trustee of the people we are elected to serve. We are given designated and limited powers. Your actions and quest for unconstitutional power threatens the future of our sacred Republic and the Liberty we all hold so dear.

Your own administration during, “Operation Fast and Furious” facilitated and approved the transfer of over 2,000 weapons to the Mexican Drug Cartels who the Mexican Government is at war against and over 60,000 people have been killed. Those same weapons have made their way back into the United States and have been used to kill and injure our citizens and members of law enforcement, yet now you threaten to use an executive order to take away the 2nd Amendment Rights of our citizens?

Mr. President, if you attempt to carry through with your proposal, it will hinder the ability of good citizens to defend and protect themselves and others against those who wish to cause them harm through the use of deadly force. Your actions would turn many good citizens, who wish to maintain their God given Constitutional Rights to bear arms, into criminals.

I am writing you this letter today to inform you that any "law" or regulation created by an executive order of your office which is contrary to what the Constitution of the United States of America says, shall be deemed as unlawful and shall not be carried out by myself or my office.

I will also push for legislation which would make it a crime for any federal law enforcement officer to infringe upon any of Constitutional rights of the citizens I am sworn to protect. Neither myself nor you have any right to infringe upon the 2nd Amendment Constitutional Rights of our citizens.

Former President Ronald Reagan said it best, “The right of the citizen to keep and bear arms must not be infringed if liberty in America is to survive.”

With grave concern,

Paul Babeu, Sheriff
Pinal County, Arizona
Date: 1/25/2013
]]> System Account Fri, 25 Jan 2013 23:34:58 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=646 Sen. Crandall, Sheriff Babeu and NASRO President announce $30 Million Dollar Plan for SRO’s to protect Arizona Schools http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=645 Body:
Phoenix, Ariz – State Senator Rich Crandall (R-Mesa), Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu and National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) President Kevin Quinn announced their comprehensive $30 million dollar plan adding nearly 300 School Resource Officers, funding $4.5 million to improve mental health assessment to pro-actively identify threats and $1.5 million to expand school guidance counseling. The plan proposes to redirect clean elections excess funding via a ballot referral. Other ideas include a tax on alcohol sold in Arizona or a fee on private party auto sales although the referral is the preferred method of funding. The annual revenue generated would provide the necessary funding stream to guarantee the program’s ongoing success.

Sen Crandall said, “Our proposal works. Other plans raid the general fund, which can’t support any of the proposals and doesn’t guarantee ongoing funding. We address mental health, school counselors and needed Deputies and Police Officers in Schools. We have 2,200 schools in Arizona and as much as we’d like, we simply can’t fund an SRO in every school. Our plan also allows for school districts and charters to voluntarily choose whether or not to arm teachers and/or administrators.”

Sheriff Babeu said, “We need to immediately expand funding for SRO’s in as many schools as funding allows. We need to amend Arizona laws for Gun-Free School Zones, to allow schools without SRO’s to designate certain school administrators and designated teachers to be armed to initially defend against any violent attack on their school. Law enforcement will provide annual training and qualification for these designated school staff. I don’t want to arm a couple of teachers in every school, but what is the alternative? We need a permanent funding source, since the general fund may be eliminated, yet the threat to our schools remains.”

Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 defines a school zone as the area "in, or on the grounds of... or within a distance of 1,000 feet from the grounds of a public, parochial or private [elementary or secondary] school."

Sheriff Babeu said, “Administrators and teachers are highly educated, they know their schools and love the children. Past efforts to protect innocent children and our schools have resulted in making them more vulnerable and more alluring as targets for mass killings. Restrictive gun laws, or even trying to take guns away from millions of law abiding citizens is unconstitutional and will NOT stop this violence. The immediate reality for every law enforcement leader is how do we best protect our schools, which are not fully protected and are not as safe as they should be in order to be called “safe school zones? Even with our School Safety Plan, we can’t fund and officer in every school, this is why we must allow school districts the option to designate and train certain school officials to be armed.”

NASRO President Kevin Quinn said, “We should not have a regular Police Officer or Deputy in schools to provide security, yet the officer should be a School Resource Officer (SRO). SRO’s are carefully selected officers who are trained to teach classes, mentor students, building positive relationships with students and staff and are one of the best defenses against an active shooter in a school.”
Date: 1/22/2013
]]> System Account Tue, 22 Jan 2013 15:19:23 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=645 Pamela Williams Taken into Custody after Shooting at PCSO Deputy http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=643 Body:
On Friday, January 04, 2013 at 5:31 p.m. deputies from the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a residence in the 21800 block of North Shooting Star Road, Saddlebrooke in reference to a harassment call made by one neighbor against another neighbor. While driving to the scene, information was updated by the reporting party indicating the neighbor had threatened to kill him. There have been ongoing civil disputes between these same parties in the past.

When the first deputy arrived on scene, he went to the alleged suspects home which was in the 22100 block of North Shooting Star Road. As the deputy was walking up the driveway he began to yell “Sheriff’s Office.” The deputy heard a female voice say something to him at which point he yelled out “Sheriff’s Office” again. The deputy then saw two muzzle flashes and heard two gunshots fired in his direction. The deputy yelled over the radio “shots fired” that he was “taking fire.” A second deputy had also arrived on scene and was speaking to the reporting party when he heard the gunshots coming from the other residence involved.

Both deputies retreated to their vehicles, obtained their AR-15 rifles and went then went to residence where the shots came from. Pamela Williams (age 64) ran down the driveway toward the deputies. She was secured in handcuffs.

Deputies cleared the residence not knowing at that point that Williams was in fact the shooter. Inside of the master bedroom deputies observed a pistol grip, pump action shotgun on the bed. They could also smell the odor of marijuana and later observed it inside of the bedroom. Outside of the residence, they observed a .22 caliber pistol on top of a shed in front of the residence. The pistol was the one used to fire at the deputy by Williams. The weapon had a misfire after the second shot was fired and the casing was wedged in the ejection port.

Williams was arrested for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Aggravated Assault involving a Police Officer.

Once the residence was secured, deputies spoke with Bruce Fay (age 53) who was the original reporting party. It was discovered while speaking with Fay he had an outstanding “assault/domestic violence warrant” for his arrest out of the Oracle Justice Court. As deputies attempted to take him into custody for the warrant, he attempted to run away and then when caught he resisted arrest. Eventually, he was taken into custody. Search incident to arrest a baggie of marijuana was found in his shirt pocket. Faywas booked into the Pinal County Adult Detention Center for the warrant. Charges will be submitted against him for Resisting Arrest and Possession of Marijuana.

Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, “Deputies are our first responders to emergencies when citizens call 9-1-1 for help. We are thankful our deputy was able to go home that night and he was not hit by one of the bullets fired by Pamela Williams. We also appreciate the fact, Pinal County Attorney Lando Voyles and his Chief Deputy responded to the scene to assist with the investigation and also followed this case through her initial court appearance to make sure Williams was held on a No Bond Status.”
Date: 1/8/2013
]]> System Account Tue, 08 Jan 2013 15:02:33 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=643 PCSO Investigates Single Vehicle Fatal Collision http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=642 Body:
On Friday, January 4, 2013, at 6:15 p.m. the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office responded to a single vehicle collision on Bella Vista Road approximately one quarter mile west of Quail Run in San Tan Valley.

When deputies arrived on scene, they observed a 1997 Toyota 4 Runner crashed into an SRP metal power pole with a concrete retainer.

The sole occupant of the vehicle was Donna Love, (age 47 of San Tan Valley). Ms. Love was pronounced deceased at the scene.

According to witnesses, the Toyota had been involved in a hit and run collision with a tree near Bella Vista and Hunt Highway. Following that collision, the driver began to drive recklessly, by driving through the dirt on the right side of the roadway while attempting to pass vehicles. Initial speed estimates show Ms. Love was driving the vehicle at a speed of between 70 to 80 mph at the time of the collision. The roadway is clearly posted at 45 mph in that area. Ms. Love was also not wearing her seatbelt at the time of the collision.

The investigation was completed by the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit’s “Critical Accident Response Team.”

Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, “The Pinal County Regional DUI Task Force just finished conducting heavy saturation enforcement patrols throughout the holidays in an effort to remove those drivers who don’t heed our message to use a designated driver if they choose to consume alcohol. Deputies from the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office arrested over three times more people for impaired driving then just four years ago. Evidence at the scene of this crash, indicated the driver was impaired by alcohol and prescription drugs at the time of the collision.”
 
 
     
Date: 1/7/2013
]]> System Account Mon, 07 Jan 2013 21:47:30 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=642 PCSO Investigating Child Drowning Case http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=641 Body:
On Thursday, December 20, 2012 at 1:34 p.m. the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office received a 9-1-1 call from
William Miller (age 26, San Tan Valley) indicating his 4 month old baby had possibly drowned. Deputies
responded to the 4800 block of East Whitehall Drive, San Tan Valley.
 
The first deputy arrived on the scene within a few minutes and relieved William from doing CPR on the child.
The deputy and a sergeant who was on scene continued providing the child CPR until medics arrived. The
child was provided additional medical treatment and then transported by air ambulance to Cardon Children’s
Hospital in Mesa where she was later pronounced deceased.
 
William told deputies he had put his 1 ½ year old child down for a nap. He was then giving his 4 month old
daughter Georgia a bath. Georgia was put into a child bath seat inside of the tub. A few inches of water was
put into the tub. While giving Georgia the bath, the 1 ½ year got out of bed and came into the bathroom.
William left Georgia alone for approximately 90 seconds and put the 1 ½ back into bed. When William
returned, he found Georgia was face down in the water.
 
Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, “We can only imagine how incredibly painful it must be to lose a child and it’s
magnified around Christmas. Too often we hear about parents leaving children alone for only a short time
around water. What parents need to understand is that anytime a child is left alone around water is too
long.”
Date: 12/24/2012
]]> System Account Mon, 24 Dec 2012 20:52:18 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=641 PCSO Employees and Citizens Donate Time, Money and Gifts this Holiday Season http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=640 Body:
The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office organized three Christmas programs and events during this holiday season to help those who are less fortunate.

Our employees were able to raise $23,000 which was used to purchase toys, clothes and food for under privileged families in Pinal County. Through toy donations and fundraising we were able to provide over 2,000 toys to nearly 400 children.

  • The first event was “The Sheriff’s Toy Shop.” Through this program we organized several toy drives. All of the toys were taken to the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, sorted and then distributed to under privideged children in Pinal County.


    • “Corrections Corporation of America” presented our office with a cash gift and a truck load of new toys for needy families in Pinal County. (pictured left to right: Chief Deputy Steve Henry, Sheriff Paul Babeu, Warden Charles DeRosa, Sgt Penny Fendly, Corina Price and Laura Carrisalez).
  • The second event was “Adopt a Family.” This year we were able to purchase and deliver a full wardrobe of clothing to 48 children along with a $100 Fry’s food card for each family. This program was fully funding by the generous donation of Pinal County resident George Johnson and his family.


    • We received 112 hand sewn stockings (filled with small toys, candy, toothpaste & Kleenex) donated by the wonderful women of the “Skyline Quilt Club and Queen Creek Quilters.” The stockings were given to patrol deputies to give to children they came in contact with on emergency calls that may need a little Christmas cheer.
  • Last but not least was our “Shop with a Sheriff” program. This is program in which a member of our office or community nominates a child in need or one that has suffered a recent traumatic event. This year we took 22 children and 30 volunteers to the Casa Grande Walmart to shop. The 22 children split approximately $9,000 worth of gift cards which they used to shop for their families for Christmas.
    
    

We want to thank not only our employees but also everyone who has donated to our outreach programto make it such a success; including the George Johnson family, Ak-Chin Indian Community, JC Penny's, Walmart, McDonald's, CCA, countless Pinal County small businesses and private individuals.

Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, “Christmas is a time for giving and sharing. I want to thank all of you who have made Christmas possible for hundreds of children and families that were in great need. God Bless you and Merry Christmas!”
Date: 12/24/2012
]]> System Account Mon, 24 Dec 2012 20:49:34 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=640 Ruben Rogelio Arrested for Aggravated Assault and Resisting Arrest http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=639 Body:
On Sunday, December 16th, 2012 the Pinal County Regional DUI Task Force was working saturation patrols in the City of Maricopa.
 
At 2:30 a.m. a Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, Traffic Sergeant attempted to stop a vehicle near Maricopa Road and West Smith Road after he observed the driver traffic commit several traffic violations consistent with those of an impaired driver.
 
The vehicle failed to stop and a short pursuit with speeds right at or under the speed limit ensued through a residential neighborhood. The driver later identified as Rubio Rogelio (age 31 of Maricopa) eventually stopped his vehicle in his own driveway in the 43000 block of West Lindgren Drive.
 
Rogelio refused to exit his vehicle despite numerous commands. The driver’s side window was broken out of the vehicle by the sergeant. Rogelio remained uncooperative and resisted arrest when the sergeant attempted to take him into custody.
 
Following the arrest, the sergeant had to get stitches put in his hand and Rogelio had to be treated for minor injuries as a result of his resisting arrest.
 
Rogelio was booked into the Pinal County Adult Detention Center for Aggravated Assault on a Peace Officer, Resisting Arrest and Failure to Yield. Additional charges of driving while impaired by alcohol and other related DUI charges are pending the results of a blood test.
 
Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, “The Pinal County Regional DUI Task Force has had a tremendous impact keeping our roadways safe. We want everyone to have a safe and happy holiday season. If you are going to drink, please have a designated sober driver. Nobody wants to spend the holidays behind our bars.”
 
Date: 12/24/2012
]]> System Account Mon, 24 Dec 2012 20:10:21 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=639 Anthony Lara Arrested for Marijuana and Firearms Violations http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=638 Body:
On Monday, December 17th, 2012 at 11:40 p.m. the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office was assisting the Tohono O’Odham Police Department with a shots fired call in their village. Law enforcement was looking for a light colored truck which allegedly fled the scene after the shots were fired. (Information related to the shots fired call will have to be obtained from the Tohono O’Odham Police Department)
 
At 11:43 p.m. a citizen called in to advise a vehicle in the area of Chu Chu Road and Battaglia Road was driving on one of its rims. The reporting party was concerned the vehicle was going to catch fire because of the sparks flying from it. The caller also felt the driver of the vehicle was “running from someone.”
 
The vehicle a 1997 Ford truck was located a short time later on Shedd Road just east of Chu Chu Road in a ditch. As the deputy approached the vehicle, he could see it didn’t have a tire but rather just a rim on the passenger’s side rear.
 
As deputies approached closer, they observed a male subject standing outside of the vehicle. When the male saw the deputies, he got back inside of the vehicle. The male was then ordered out of the vehicle. The male began to yell profanities and something about a “pigs mother.” Eventually he was detained in handcuffs.
 
When asked if anybody else was in the vehicle he said no but there were 3 guns and marijuana inside of it. The male was later identified as Anthony Lara (age 19 of Casa Grande). Lara said he was a “Medical Marijuana Card Holder in California.”
 
In the vehicle, deputies located a Glock 17 handgun which was loaded, a Smith and Wesson .38 caliber handgun, .357 caliber handgun, 7 glass jars containing hydroponic marijuana and marijuana smoking pipes.
 
The .357 caliber handgun was later discovered to be stolen.
 
Lara was booked into the Pinal County Adult Detention Center for 3 counts of Possessing a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony Offense, 1 count of Possession of Marijuana, 9 counts of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, 1 count of Possession of a Stolen Firearm and 3 counts of Possession of a Firearm (under the age of 21) in a Vehicle.
 
  
Date: 12/24/2012
]]> System Account Mon, 24 Dec 2012 20:05:34 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=638 Postal Worker Involved in Single Vehicle Injury Accident http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=637 Body:

On Monday, December 10th, 2012 at 12:34 p.m. the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported single vehicle accident in the 2000 block of West Houston Road, Apache Junction. The accident involved a U.S. Postal Service Delivery truck.

When deputies arrived on scene, the driver of the postal vehicle a 57-year-old female from Apache Junction was being treated by the Mesa Fire Department and personnel from Southwest Ambulance for injuries she sustained in the crash.

The investigation revealed the driver was traveling westbound on West Houston Road when for unknown reasons the vehicle drifted over past the right side of the roadway, striking a pole and chain link fence that ran parallel to the road. The top two rail poles of the fence penetrated through the vehicles firewall. One of the poles struck the driver in the upper left portion of her chest. The pole continued through her body and then into her seat.

The driver was transported by air-ambulance to a local hospital to be treated for a serious life threatening injury.

Neither alcohol nor drug impairment are a factor in this accident.

  

  

Date: 12/12/2012
]]> System Account Wed, 12 Dec 2012 15:21:24 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=637 Deputy Discovers Vehicle Loaded with Ammunition Following Pursuit http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=636 Body:
On Saturday, December 8th, 2012 at 9:17 p.m. a Pinal County Sheriff’s Office Deputy was patrolling the Interstate-8 corridor. The deputy observed a vehicle traveling southbound on Stanfield Road from Highway 84 leaving the town of Stanfield.

The deputy checked the vehicles registration using the computer in his vehicle and discovered it had been reported as stolen by the registered owner. The vehicle was reported to the Phoenix Police Department as stolen on December 7th, 2012.

The deputy initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle and it immediately left the roadway and began to drive through the desert in a northwesterly direction for approximately one mile. Officers from the Gila River Police Department and the Bureau of Land Management responded and assisted the deputy with tracking the vehicle. The vehicle was located abandoned in the desert.

Inside of the vehicle, deputies located 4,550 rounds of .38 caliber Super+P handgun ammunition.

Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, “38 Super ammunition is very popular in Mexico where it’s the most powerful pistol cartridge available to civilians. It is suspected that the stolen vehicle was being used as a southbound re-supply load vehicle transporting ammunition that was intended for unlawful / smuggling related purposes.”
 
     
     
Date: 12/12/2012
]]> System Account Wed, 12 Dec 2012 15:10:29 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=636 Pursuit Leads to Discovery of Another Drug Load Vehicle http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=635 Body:
On Tuesday, December 4th, 2012 at 11:34 a.m. a Pinal County Sheriff’s Deputy was on patrol along Interstate-8 near Casa Grande, when he observed a GMC traveling eastbound at a high rate of speed. The deputy attempted to stop the vehicle after he observed the driver commit several traffic violations.

The driver of the vehicle failed to yield after the deputy activated his emergency lights and siren. The vehicle later exited Interstate-8 at Thornton Road and turned southbound. The vehicle accelerated up to 95 mph and then turned west onto Shedd Road which is the Central Arizona Project Canal Road.

The vehicle slowed and became stuck in some rocks. The driver’s side door of the vehicle opened and the driver fled. The passenger side doors opened and the two passengers exited as well and ran. The deputy cleared the vehicle and then chased after the driver and was able to take him into custody.

The two passengers ran approximately two miles through the desert and then attempted to hide but were located by the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office Air Unit. The two passengers were taken into the custody. The two passengers admitted they were in the United States illegally. They were turned over to the U.S. Border Patrol for deportation.

Inside of the vehicle, deputies located 302 pounds of marijuana with a street value of $226,500. The vehicle was a rental vehicle from Hertz Rental Car.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as Trinidad Cordova-Villena (age 28 of Mexico). He was arrested and booked into the Pinal County Adult Detention Center for Felony Flight, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Marijuana for Sale and Transportation of Marijuana.

Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, “Cordova showed he has no regard for the safety of other drivers on the roadway. While this current administration says those who enter into the United States from Mexico are only coming for a better life, these cases are a constant reminder that is not true and why we need to secure our southern border. This year alone our office seized 65,760 pounds of marijuana worth over $49,320,000 and over 19 kilos of both cocaine and methamphetamines. Last year, we led a multi-agency investigation which seized weapons, drugs and cash from the Sinaloa Drug Cartel and has been labeled as one of the largest in state history.”
 
     
  
Date: 12/10/2012
]]> System Account Mon, 10 Dec 2012 18:45:45 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=635 Fatal Accident in Oracle http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=634 Body:

On Saturday, November 24th, 2012 at 2:13 p.m. the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office received a 9-1-1 call related to a serious injury accident on Mount Lemmon Road near the intersection of Fuego Road in Oracle.

The two vehicles involved with the crash were a 2000 Ford F350 truck and a 1991 SPCO sand-rail. The accident occurred as both vehicles were traveling in opposite directions and struck head-on as they came around the corner of the dirt road.

Deputies from the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, PCSO Traffic Unit – “Critical Accident Reconstruction Team” and an officer from the Casa Grande Police Department’s Traffic Unit - “Critical Accident Investigation Team” all assisted with the investigation.

The driver of the Ford truck was Garland Parris (age 44 of Tucson). His passenger was his thirteen-year-old son. Neither reported any injuries from the accident.

The driver of the SPCO sand-rail was Daniel Huntington (age 27 of Tucson). His passenger was Toni Stalker (age 75 of Tucson) Stalker was only wearing the lap potion of the seatbelt and not the full harness the vehicle was equipped with at the time of the accident.

Huntington was taken by ground ambulance to the University Medical Center in Tucson to be treated for a knee and minor head injury. Stalker was transported by ground ambulance to a nearby location where she was then transported by air ambulance to the University Medical Center in Tucson. Stalker was having difficulty breathing at the scene, she was non-responsive and she sustained a very serious head injury. Stalker was listed in “extremely critical condition” when she arrived at the hospital.

On November 25th, 2012 Stalker was pronounced deceased as a result of a “traumatic brain injury.”

Investigators found no signs of drug or alcohol impairment on either driver.

   

Date: 12/3/2012
]]> System Account Mon, 03 Dec 2012 19:06:05 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=634 Two Suspects in Custody After Stealing Copper from a Tunnel Connected to the BHP Mine http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=633 Body:
During the past year, the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office has investigated several reported thefts of copper wire from the BHP Mine located at 200 South Veterans Memorial Blvd., San Manuel.

On Saturday, November 24th, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. a Pinal County Sheriff’s Deputy while working his normal patrol duties stopped by the closed mine to conduct a security check of the property. The deputy first went to a large hand dug tunnel on the property which he felt the suspects who were stealing the copper in the past were using to gain access to the abandoned mine shaft where the copper was being taken from.

As the deputy stood at the top of the tunnel, he could hear the sound of movement inside of the tunnel and called for additional deputies to respond.

Victor Guiterrez

At 8:34 p.m. Victor Gutierrez (age 46 of San Manuel) stuck his head out of the top of the tunnel. Deputies ordered him out of the tunnel at gunpoint. Victor complied and was taken into custody. At the time of his arrest, Victor was wearing a headlamp on his head so he could see inside of the tunnel. Victor denied anybody else was in the tunnel.

Mark Jimenez

At 8:50 p.m. deputies climbed into the tunnel and located Mark Jimenez (age 34 of San Manuel). Mark was also wearing a headlamp on his head so he could see inside of the tunnel. Mark was ordered out of the tunnel and was also taken into custody.

Deputies discovered during this case the suspects had damaged and removed over $10,000 worth of copper. Deputies and Property Crime Detectives were able to recover several 30 foot long sections of copper wire which weighed approximately 500 pounds. Both suspects made admissions to stealing large quantities of copper during the past year. The suspects said they would steal the copper and either burn off or strip the plastic coating on the wire so they could sell it in Tucson.

BHP Mine has reported that it has cost them several hundred thousand dollars to replace and repair the stolen copper during just the past year alone.

Victor Gutierrez and Mark Jimenez were both booked into the Pinal County Adult Detention Center for Trafficking in Stolen Property, Burglary, Aggravated Criminal Damage and Possession of Burglary Tools. Victor is being held on a $20,000 bond and Mark is being held on a $2,500 bond.

Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, “Many of the suspects who steal copper wire are doing it to support their illegal drugs habits. Both Victor and Mark have a past history of arrests for possession and use of illegal drugs. I am sure the money made from these crimes was used to support their drug habits. Deputies and detectives did a great job working together to put these two suspects behind bars.”
 
   
   
Date: 12/3/2012
]]> System Account Mon, 03 Dec 2012 18:47:49 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=633 UPDATE - PCSO Investigating Homicide in San Tan Valley http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=632 Body:

On Sunday, November 25, 2012 at 2:52 p.m. the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office received a 9-1-1 call related to an individual threatening another with a handgun. The reporting party was a 25-year-old female who reported that she was not at their family’s home in the 700 block of West Via De Palmas, San Tan Valley but her mother Linda Pirelli-Brown (age 50 )was.

The reporting party stated that a male acquaintance of hers had called her cell phone a short time ago and said that he was at her home and he was threatening her mother with a gun. The daughter hung-up the phone and called 9-1-1. The daughter was in Apache Junction when she received the call. She left Apache Junction and hurried to get homewhile still on the phone with the 9-1-1 operator.

Deputies arrived at the home within minutes of receiving the initial call. When deputies made entry into the home, they found Linda lying on the floor with multiple gunshot wounds. Deputies provided medical aid until EMS personnel arrived. Linda was transported by ground ambulance to Banner Ironwood (Medical Center) and then by air-ambulance to Scottsdale (Healthcare) Osborn. Linda was pronounced deceased later that evening.

Detectives at the scene were not able to speak with the reporting party (25-year-old female) because she began to hyperventilate and had to be ground transported to Banner Ironwood (Medical Center). Once she was medically cleared Homicide Detectives were able to speak with her.

The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating Corey Deandre Allen (age 28 of Phoenix). There is probable cause to believe that he is responsible for the murder of Linda Perelli-Brown. He is described at 5’5” tall, he weighs 105 pounds, black hair (braided), black eyes. He may be driving a red in color 1999 Oldsmobile 4 door car with Arizona License AWK5059.

Allen is considered to be armed and dangerous. If anybody has any information about his whereabouts they are asked not to approach him but rather to notify law enforcement by calling 9-1-1.

Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, "Linda Perelli-Brown was brutally gunned down in her own home during this senseless tragedy. We are asking for the public’s help to bring her killer to justice. Linda was a loving mother and wife. We need your help in locating Corey Deandre Allen to bring closure to this tragedy."

Date: 12/3/2012
]]> System Account Mon, 03 Dec 2012 16:30:57 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=632 Man Arrested After Stabbing his Cousin http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=631 Body:
On Wednesday, November 21st, 2012 at 5:22 a.m. deputies were dispatched to the “Farmer’s Market” located at 49301 West Papago Road, Maricopa regarding a stabbing.

When deputies arrived on scene, they located an adult male victim who had been stabbed multiple times. The victim was treated at the scene by emergency medical services personnel and then transported to the Maricopa Medical Center for treatment. His injuries are considered to be non-life threatening.

Detectives from PCSO Persons Crimes responded to the area and took over the investigation. The investigation revealed that several migrant farm workers all living at an address in the 51000 block of Quail Run had been drinking beer throughout the night. At approximately 1 a.m. an argument broke out between two cousins.

The argument began after Isidoro Renteria Contreras (age 35 of Mexico) made a disparaging comment about his cousins mother. The argument continued to escalate verbally until Isidoro removed an 8” field knife and attacked his cousin stabbing him multiple times. Isidoro showed no remorse for stabbing his cousin.

Isidoro was arrested and booked into the Pinal County Adult Detention Center for Aggravated Assault. An immigration hold will also be placed on him as he admitted he is in the United States illegally.
 
    
Date: 12/3/2012
]]> System Account Mon, 03 Dec 2012 15:45:51 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=631 PCSO Investigating Homicide in San Tan Valley http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=630 Body:

On Sunday, November 25, 2012 at 2:52 p.m. the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office received a 9-1-1 call related to an individual threatening another with a handgun. The reporting party was a 25-year-old female who reported that she was not at their family’s home in the 700 block of West Via De Palmas, San Tan Valley but her mother was. The mother (age 50) had called the daughter and told her that an acquaintance of the daughters was at the home and threatening to shoot her with a gun. The daughter hung-up the phone with her mother and called 9-1-1 and then ran home.

Deputies arrived at the home within minutes of receiving the call. When they made entry into the home, they found the female victim lying on the floor with multiple gunshot wounds. Deputies provided medical aid until EMS personnel arrived. The victim was transported by ground ambulance to Banner Ironwood hospital and then by air-ambulance to Scottsdale Osborn hospital. The victim was pronounced deceased just a short time ago.

Detectives at the scene were not able to speak with the reporting party (25-year-old female) because she began to hyperventilate and had to be ground transported to Banner Ironwood Hospital. Detectives responded to the hospital and will talk with her to learn more about the suspect and motive as soon as she is medically cleared.

Date: 11/27/2012
]]> System Account Tue, 27 Nov 2012 17:40:31 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=630 Two Suspects Arrested for First Degree Burglary http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=629 Body:
On November 14th, 2012 the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office received a 9-1-1 call related to a burglary which had occurred at a residence in the 8700 block of West Nugget Road, Casa Grande. Deputies responded and spoke with the male and female victim who reported while they were out of town, somebody unknown had entered into their home, broken into their bedroom and the family safe and removed over $5,000 worth of jewelry, guns and money.
 
Deputies checked the outside of the home and did not see any signs of forced entry. While speaking to the victims, it was discovered their sons friend, Allan Wells at times has had access to their home. Deputies processed the scene and continued their investigation.
 
On November 15th, 2012 deputies located Allan Wells (age 20 of Casa Grande) walking on a roadway in Casa Grande. When they stopped to speak with him, Wells initially denied being involved with the burglary but later admitted it and said, “take me to jail I did it.” Wells then went into details and described how he and Justin McWhirter broke the lock on the bedroom door and stole items from the safe. Wells agreed to show deputies where he and McWhirter were hiding the property in the desert including the location of one of handguns they buried in the sand.
 
Some of the victims property was located after Wells showed deputies and burglary detectives where it was buried. Allan said that he and McWhirter had been smoking methamphetamines before the burglary so he wasn’t thinking about what he was doing when they broke in.
 
Allan Wells was booked into the Pinal County Adult Detention Center for one count each of Burglary in the First Degree and Theft.
 
On November 16th, 2012 JustinMcWhirter (age 22 of Casa Grande) was located at the home of his parents. McWhirter also confessed to the burglary as well and helped us in locating more of the stolen property.
 
Justin McWhirter was booked into the Pinal County Adult Detention Center for one count each of Burglary in the First Degree and Theft.
 
Date: 11/21/2012
]]> System Account Wed, 21 Nov 2012 22:09:58 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=629 Deputies, Detectives and Victims Work Together to Solve Rash of Burglaries http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=628 Body:

During the past few months, there have been several burglaries reported throughout San Tan Valley. While investigating many of the burglary cases, victims described the same possible suspect vehicle and description of those committing the crimes. Victims reported having items such as credit cards, cameras, video games, computers, checkbooks, cell phones, prescription medications, jewelry and other items. Patrol deputies collected evidence from each of the scenes and talked with victims and neighbors to learn anything they could to help solve these crimes.

During the past few weeks, many of the credit cards which had been reported stolen were being used at various gas stations and stores throughout San Tan Valley. Detectives were able to follow up and obtain surveillance video of the two suspects who were using the cards. One of the videos even captured the suspect vehicles license plate.

On November 13th, 2012 Property Crime Detectives served a search warrant in the 4300 block of East Sandwick Drive, San Tan Valley. The home was lived in by Kimberly Padilla (age 28) and Joshua Romero (age 25). When detectives served the search warrant, both Padilla and Romero were inside of the home. A search of the home uncovered over $5,000 worth of stolen property from recent burglaries. One of the burglaries had in fact occurred that morning and deputies were still investigating it.

Padilla and Romero were both taken into custody. Padilla refused to speak with detectives when confronted about the crimes. Romero was asked how all of the stolen property got into the home and he said, “I don’t know maybe you put it there.” He then refused to answer any further questions.

Kimberly Padilla and Joshua Romero were each booked into the Pinal County Adult Detention Center for Burglary, Possession of Stolen Property, Theft, Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card and Possession of Prescription Medication.

Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, “Even the safest neighborhoods can be vulnerable to home break-ins. A residential burglary is a serious crime due to the financial and material losses to victims and because of the emotional toll it takes on victims knowing their residences have been gone through by unknown suspects. I am proud of the work completed by everybody on this case who helped to put Padilla and Romero behind bars where they belong. We have already began the process of returning the stolen property to the victims of these crimes.”

Kimberly Padilla Joshua Romero
Date: 11/20/2012
]]> System Account Tue, 20 Nov 2012 15:33:29 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=628 Pedestrian Killed in Superior After Running into Traffic http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=627 Body:
On Monday, November 12th, 2012 at 7:49 p.m. the Superior Police Department received a 9-1-1 regarding a pedestrian vs. truck accident on Highway 60 near the Circle K store. Upon their arrival to the scene, the pedestrian was pronounced deceased. Superior Police Department didn’t have the resources to investigate the fatal accident so our office was asked to take it over.

The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit responded to the scene and began the fatal collision investigation. The driver of the commercial truck and trailer was Matthew Hydock (age 29 of Eloy). Hydock was driving a commercial truck pulling a carnival amusement trailer. The female pedestrian was Elaine J Romero (age 47 of Superior).

The investigation determined, Hydock was headed westbound on Highway 60 at approximately 45MPH when Romero ran or walked southbound in front of him in an area without a crosswalk or intersection. Romero was struck by the truck and died instantly from massive traumatic injuries.

A witness said Romero walked out in front of the truck without warning Other witnesses said Romero was intoxicated at the time of the accident.

The investigation also showed that the Hydock was impaired by both marijuana and pain medication at the time of the collision. A blood sample was taken from Hydock and it was submitted to the Arizona Department of Public Safety Crime Laboratory for analysis.

At this time, no arrest has been made and charges are pending the results of the blood test.

Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, "Investigating fatal collisions takes subject matter expertise which our Traffic Unit was able to utilize to conduct this investigation. The Mayor and Council for the town of Superior have asked me personally for the assistance of my office because of the continuous rise in crimes occurring in their once peaceful town. Our deputies and traffic team will be conducting daily high visibility zero tolerance enforcement in an effort to assist."
 
  
Date: 11/16/2012
]]> System Account Fri, 16 Nov 2012 17:55:43 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=627 Traffic Stop Leads to the Arrest of Two Suspects For Possession and Transportation of Marijuana for Sale http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=626 Body:
On November 14, 2012 at 9:17 a.m. a Pinal County Sheriff’s Deputy stopped a 2000 Ford Expedition northbound on State Route 347 near milepost 181 on a traffic stop after he observed a traffic violation.
 
The driver of the vehicle was identified as Abdul Cortes-Reyes (age 24 of Sonora, Mexico) and the passenger was identified as Ignacio Cienfuego-Varela (age 31 of Sonora, Mexico). The deputy could immediately smell a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside of the vehicle. He could also see in plain view several bundles which appeared to contain marijuana.
 
Cortes-Reyes and Cienfuego-Varela admitted to deputies they were in the United States illegally and the vehicle they were in had marijuana inside of it. They were both placed under arrest for Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Marijuana for Sale and Transportation of Marijuana.
Both suspects were booked into the Pinal County Adult Detention Center and are being held on a no bond status. The vehicle was seized and paperwork will be completed to begin the forfeiture process.
 
The marijuana which was seized from the vehicle weighed a total of 716 pounds with a street value of $537,000.
Abdul Cortes-Reyes Ignacio Cienfuego-Verela
Date: 11/16/2012
]]> System Account Fri, 16 Nov 2012 17:47:25 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=626 Exotic Dancer Arrested for Six Counts of Human Smuggling http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=625 Body:
On Friday, November 9th, 2012 at 8:19 p.m. a Pinal County Sheriff’s Deputy stopped a 2004 Oldsmobile minivan westbound on Interstate-10 near milepost 216 for several traffic violations. The driver of the vehicle was later identified per an Arizona Identification Card and Permanent Resident Alien Card as Maria Bustamante (age 33 of Tucson). Inside of the vehicle with her were six other Hispanic male individuals who were acting very nervous.

Maria said she was giving the six men who were her friends a ride to Phoenix from Tucson. When questioned further she could not provide the names of the individuals inside of her vehicle.

The six men were asked where they were headed and one of the men said “California.” When asked if they were U.S. citizens all of the men shook their heads and said no. The individuals were then interviewed one at a time.

Alejandro Santos (age 36 from Puebla, Mexico) said he has been illegally in the United States for the past month. He said he paid the driver $200 for the ride. This was his first time in the United States.

Julio Cesar Carrillo Romo (age 23 from Puerto Penasco, Sonora, Mexico) said he has been illegally in the United States for the past month and a half. He said he paid the driver $120 for the ride. This was the fifth time he has entered the United States illegally.

Ramon Felix Valdez (age 59 from Hermosillo, Sorora, Mexico) said he has been illegally in the United States for the past month. He said he paid the driver $40 for the ride. He has been deported twice before for being in the United States illegally.

Joaquin Moroyoqui (age 63 from La Constancia El Fuerte, Sinaloa, Mexico) said he has been illegally in the United States for the past three months. He said he met the driver of the vehicle at a bar and she agreed to give them a ride. He has been deported five prior times. He also admitted to smuggling marijuana into the United States during past trips.

Felix Fernando Solis Morales (age 30 from Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico) said he has been illegally in the United States for the past two months. He paid the driver $50 for the ride. This was his first time in the United States.

Jose Antonio Lopez Moreno (age 24 from Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico) said he has been illegally in the United States for the past two months. He said he was told he owed money for the ride but had not paid it to the driver yet.

All six individuals were turned over to the United States Border Patrol.

Maria Bustamante said she works as an exotic dancer in Tucson. She said the father of her children was currently in jail in Texas. She was asked by a friend to give the six men a ride from Tucson to Phoenix. She planned to drop them off in Phoenix and keep driving to Texas. She knew all of the individuals were illegally in the United States.

Maria Bustamante was booked into the Pinal County Adult Detention Center for six counts of Human Smuggling a class 6 Felony. The vehicle and the $1,000 dollars she had in her possession was seized and paperwork is being completed for forfeiture proceedings.

Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, “My deputies continue to do their job attempting to stop those who are involved with drug and human smuggling from traveling freely through the United States. Secretary Janet Napolitano who is responsible for America’s security has told Arizona law enforcement leaders the U.S. and Mexico border will never be secured. As a result of this failure, the continuous flow of humans and drugs continue to enter America.”
 
   
Date: 11/16/2012
]]> System Account Fri, 16 Nov 2012 17:29:14 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=625 Three Arrested for Transportation and Possession of Marijuana for Sale One of Suspects has been Deported Multiple Times Prior http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=624 Body:
On Monday, November 12th, 2012 a concerned citizen reported seeing what he believed to be marijuana loaded into a vehicle just south of Casa Grande. As deputies were on their way to the area, the citizen reported the vehicle along with two Hispanic males had left the area. Deputies spread out and watched the roadways and highways for the vehicle which was described as a red Buick sedan.

A short time later, a deputy located a vehicle matching the description traveling eastbound on Interstate-8. The vehicle was also observed speeding at 85 mph in the 75 mph zone. A check of the vehicles registration and later license status check of the registered owner showed the owner did not have a valid driver’s license.

A traffic stop was initiated on the vehicle near Interstate-8 and Interstate-10. The driver pulled the vehicle to the right shoulder of the roadway and stopped. As the deputy exited his vehicle and began to approach the vehicle, the vehicle accelerated rapidly away. The vehicle suddenly stopped approximately 200 yards down the shoulder and the doors of the vehicle opened.

Three Hispanic males ran from the vehicle in a northeasterly direction through the desert. The deputy broadcasted the suspect descriptions and chased after the driver. The driver was taken into custody after he had ran several hundred yards. The two passengers were located by other deputies who responded to assist.

Inside of the vehicle, deputies located 10 packaged bundles of marijuana. The marijuana weighed a total of 270.30 pounds with a street value of $202,725.

The three suspects were identified as Mario A. Cazares-Cazares (driver, age 43 of Mexico), Francisco G. Ortega-Pinto (front seat passenger, age 23 of Mexico) and Obeth R. Aldaco-Pinuelos (rear seat passenger, age 19 of Mexico) It was later determined Obeth had given an original date of birth to deputies which would have made him a juvenile. With the help of the U.S. Border Patrol he was identified as an adult who had been detained and deported five prior times by the U.S. Border Patrol during the past two years.

All three suspects admitted to being in the United States illegally. All three suspects were booked into the Pinal County Adult Detention Facility for Possession of Marijuana for Sale and Transportation of Marijuana. All are being held on a “No Bond Status.” The vehicle was seized and paperwork will be submitted requesting it be forfeited.

Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, “Secretary Napolitano keeps telling the American people the border is more secure than ever; yet she tells Arizona law enforcement it will never be secured. Cases like this happen nearly every day in Pinal County and across our State. These constant assaults on our National Security show how easy it would be for a terrorist to enter our Country through our unsecured southern border.”

Mario Cazares-Cazares Francisco Ortega-Pinto Obeth Aldaco-Pinuelos
     
Date: 11/16/2012
]]> System Account Fri, 16 Nov 2012 17:01:50 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=624 PCSO Arrests Stephen Dionne After he Killed a Man in San Manuel http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=623 Body:

On Saturday, October 27th, 2012 at 9:09 p.m. the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office received a 9-1-1 call from a resident in the 300 block of 5th Street, San Manuel. The caller reported that an unknown male individual was banging on their front door yelling for the homeowner to call 9-1-1.

Deputies arrived at the residence within minutes of the call being dispatched. Upon their arrival, they found Nicholas Angelo Lagunas (age 30 of Winkleman) laying on the ground outside of the residence. Lagunas was unconscious and bleeding from a gunshot wound to the chest. Despite the efforts by deputies and medical personnel, he was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Stephen Paul DionnePCSO Homicide Detectives responded to the scene and began conducting an investigation. During the course of the investigation, it was determined Nicholas Lagunas had been shot by Stephen Paul Dionne (age 29 of San Manuel). The two men had been involved in a verbal altercation at the home Dionne lived at in the 200 block of 5th Street, San Manuel. During the altercation, Dionne shot Lagunas in the chest. After being shot, Lagunas ran down the street to a house and began banging on the door yelling for help. Lagunas died at the scene as a result of the gunshot wound he received.

Following the shooting, Stephen Dionne fled the scene and went into hiding. On Thursday, November 1st, 2012 Homicide Detectives with the assistance of the U.S. Marshal’s Office were able to locate Dionne at a residence in Tucson near the intersection of Grant and Country Club.

Dionne was taken into custody and booked in the Pima County Jail for an outstanding Felony Probation ViolationWarrant. Today, Homicide Detectives will submit paperwork requesting that he be charged with 1st Degree Murder.

Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, “This case is another example of a tragedy which could have been avoided had County Attorney James Walsh held violent offenders accountable for their crimes. Dionne is known by law enforcement as a documented South Side Gang member who has a history of repetitive violent behavior. Had Dionne been put in prison for the past crimes he committed as required and not given probation, Nicholas Lagunas would be alive today. Walsh and his office have failed to properly prosecute, sixty-one percent of defendants charged with mandatory prison charges, making them the most dangerous people on our streets, instead he either releases them on probation or he completely dismisses the cases. This case unfortunately is another example to add to that list.”
 
Stephen Dionne is confirmed as a South Side Gang member in Maricopa County.
 
Stephen Dionne has a prior felony offense in Birmingham, Alabama where he is currently listed as a “Fugitive of Justice.”
 
Listed below in bullet points is his past arrest history involving violent crimes in Pinal County only. He has also been arrested in Pinal County for an assault, minor consumption of alcohol, driving on a suspended license and interference with a judicial proceeding.

  • June 15th, 2009 Dionne while at the residence of his pregnant girlfriend, yelled obscenities at her in front of her three young children. He then broke her cell phone into pieces so she couldn’t call for help, he then took a BB gun from the home and shot her rear patio window causing it to shatter, he then took the BB gun and smashed it on top of her head causing a deep laceration. She had to receive medical attention because of the size of the wound. Dionne fled before deputies arrived.

Charges were filed by deputies for Aggravated Assault – Domestic Violence and Criminal Damage. Dionne plead guilty to the charges but was given no jail time only 3 years of probation.

  • July 23rd, 2009 Dionne while at the residence of his pregnant girlfriend yelled obscenities at her in front of two her two young children. He then fired a handgun towards the floor to scare his girlfriend and the kids. He prevented her from leaving as she tried to get away from him. She called 9-1-1 and he fled.

Deputies submitted to the County Attorney’s Office a request that he be charged with Criminal Damage – Domestic Violence, Disorderly Conduct and Threatening and Intimidating. The County Attorney lost the paperwork and none of the charges were ever filed.

  • September 19th, 2009 Dionne fled from deputies on a traffic stop and drove at 50 mph in a residential zone almost causing accidents with other vehicles. His license was already suspended. He eventually stopped the vehicle in a neighborhood and fled on foot. Deputies chased after him and ordered him to stop but he refused. Deputies lost sight of Dionne and he was able to get away. Inside of the vehicle he was driving, deputies found a “sawed off shotgun” with a barrel length of only 10 inches which is prohibited by law. The shotgun was loaded with 12 gauge shotgun shells and located right beside the driver’s seat.

Deputies submitted charges to the Pinal County Attorney’s Office for Unlawful Flight from Law Enforcement, Misconduct involving a Weapon and Reckless Driving. Dionne plead guilty to the charges but was given no jail time but rather placed is a diversionary program and placed on 3 years of probation.

  • August 3rd, 2011 Deputies contacted Dionne regarding a suspicious person. He ran from the deputies and then tried to contact him and he then attempted to hide. He was taken into custody for outstanding warrants. The prior cases involved criminal damage, possession of a prohibited weapon, aggravated assault by means of force, driving on a suspended license and felony flight from a prior vehicle pursuit.

Dionne plead guilty to the charges but was given no jail time but rather allowed to attend a diversionary program and placed on 3 years of probation. Pinal County Attorney’s Office dismissed the suspended license charge.

Date: 11/2/2012
]]> System Account Fri, 02 Nov 2012 22:49:34 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=623 PCSO Homicide Detectives Solve Toolbox Homicide Case http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=622 Body:

On January 16th, 2011 at 11:42 a.m. a hunter was in the area of East Florence Kelvin Highway near State Route 177, Kearny when he discovered a body inside of a toolbox.

Inside of the toolbox detectives located the decomposing bodyPinal County Sheriff’s Office, Homicide Detectives responded and began the investigation. The “Delta” toolbox was partially buried in the ground. Inside of the toolbox, detectives located the decomposing body of an adult male. The male was middle aged and the body had obvious signs of trauma.

The body was taken to the Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy. The manner of death was ruled as a homicide by the Medical Examiner’s Office.

Homicide Detectives followed up on every lead which they received related to this case. The investigation revealed the motive in the case was related to a drug debt. Paul Goga and Gilbert Evora devised a plan to kill the victim. Goga drove the victim to a residence in the 200 block of Hartford Street in Kearny where Evora was waiting inside with a baseball bat. Once inside, the victim was beaten with the bat by Evora and kicked by Goga until he died from his injuries.

The victim was then wrapped in plastic and placed in the toolbox. Javier Santos and Joshua McGuire agreed to take the toolbox which contained the body to the remote desert area near Kearny and bury it.

Javier Santos and Joshua McGuire took toolbox which with body to the remote desert   Javier Santos and Joshua McGuire took toolbox which with body to the remote desert

It is estimated the victim was murdered and buried sometime between March and November of 2009.

Paul Goga and Gilbert Evora are currently in custody and are facing First Degree Murder charges.

Paul Goga and Gilbert Evora facing First Degree Murder charges   Paul Goga and Gilbert Evora facing First Degree Murder charges

Javier Santos and Joshua McGuire are currently in custody and facing 1stDegree Hindering and Abandonment or Concealment of a Dead Body.

Homicide Detectives are still working to try and determine the identity of the victim.

Sheriff Paul Babeu, “Homicide Detectives never gave up on this case and were determined to find out who committed this gruesome murder. Our detectives started with only physical evidence on this case and after continuously working it four people are in custody and will remain there for years to come.”

Date: 11/2/2012
]]> System Account Fri, 02 Nov 2012 22:35:01 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=622 Jake Hardin Arrested for Multiple Burglaries http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=621 Body:
The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office has been investigating several burglaries in the Arizona City area during the past few months. Detectives had developed information that possibly Jake Hardin (age 27 of Eloy) maybe involved.
 

 
On October 23rd, 2012 Casa Grande P.D. was called to investigate a residential burglary and auto theft which occurred in their jurisdiction. During the investigation the victim reported that an unknown individual broke into her home, burglarized it and then stole her vehicle. The vehicle was equipped with OnStar, a GPS tracking device. Working with OnStar, the GPS was activated and the vehicle was located parked at a residence in the 3700 block of East Batten Road. Casa Grande Police Department served a search warrant on the house which Jake Hardin was living in. Hardin was arrested by Casa Grande Police Department for Auto Theft, Burglary and Identity Theft.
 
Inside of his residence detectives from both agencies discovered the property from numerous other burglary cases. Detectives and Evidence Technicians were at the home for over 12 hours collecting and processing evidence.
 
The property collected maybe tied to as many as 25 residential burglaries at various locations in Pinal County. During one of the burglaries in Arizona City on September 10th, 2012 a box containing the ashes of the victims late husband along with numerous other items were taken. During the search warrant property from this burglary was recovered including the box containing the ashes.
 
Detectives will continue to process the property collected and work with other law enforcement agencies in an effort to return the property to victims of other burglaries.
 
Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, “Jake Hardin is a serial burglar who was caught thanks to the cooperative efforts of Pinal County law enforcement agencies working together. Hardin has caused so many victims fear and frustrations during his string of crimes. Now that Hardin is behind bars and the criminal charges are stacking up against him, victims will be able to work with law enforcement agencies to get their stolen property back.”
 
 
Date: 11/2/2012
]]> System Account Fri, 02 Nov 2012 17:57:31 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=621 PCSO Investigating Two Separate Shooting and Robbery Cases Involving Rip Crews http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=620 Body:
On Tuesday, October 30th, 2012 at 7:58 a.m. the Pinal County Sheriff's Office received a 9-1-1 call regarding a shooting which had occurred near the area of the “La Osa Ranch”which is located approximately 7 miles due west of the Red Rock residential community.
 
The 42-year-old victim told deputies he and two other individuals were from Hermosillo Sonora Mexico. They had crossed the border illegally approximately 10 days ago on foot. They were walking on a trail when they were confronted at about 1 a.m. by three armed subjects who were wearing camouflage clothing, black masks and were armed with semi-automatic handguns. The subjects were hiding in some bushes and jumped out when the victim and two other individuals approached.
 
The suspects spoke in Spanish and demanded their money. The victims gave the subjects their money. When the 42-year-old victim told the subjects they didn’t have any more money, one of the subjects began to pistol whip him in the face. The victim attempted to fight back but one of the other subjects shot him in the right leg. The two individuals who were with the victim fled into the desert for safety.
 
The victim reported he fell to the ground after the shooting and the subjects fled on foot to a vehicle they had waiting approximately 200 yards away. The victim’s friends eventually returned and helped him to a nearby road. The victim stayed at the road while his two friends fled back into the desert to avoid being arrested for being in the country illegally.
 
A local resident was driving down the road when he saw the victim and called 9-1-1. The victim was transported to a local hospital for injuries related to the shooting and pistol whipping he received. We were later informed by medical staff the victim did in fact receive several fractures to his face.
 
Deputies were able to locate the scene where the shooting took place. At the scene, they found blood and the victims shoes along with other evidence. One of the victims friends was located and confirmed what the victim had told investigators had occurred. The area was checked by PCSO and U.S. Border Patrol but none of the suspects were located.
 
The witness and victim in the case were later turned over to U.S. Border Patrol.
 
On October 31st, 2012 at 6:50 p.m. the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office received a 9-1-1 call from an unidentified Hispanic male stating he had been shot. PCSO Dispatch was able to determine the callers location based on the GPS provided by his phone. Deputies were able to locate the victim and another Hispanic male South of Interstate-8 near Smith Road. The victim and other individual were put into a patrol vehicle and driven to another location where the gunshot victim was treated by medical personnel for a wound to his buttocks. The victim was then transported by air ambulance to a trauma hospital.
 
The second Hispanic male told deputies, he and the victim were part of an 8 man backpacking crew carrying marijuana. The men had carried the marijuana from Mexico across the U.S. Border and were nearing Interstate-8. As the men approached Interstate-8, they were confronted by five Rip Crew members who ordered them in Spanish to drop their backpacks of marijuana. Four of the Rip Crew members were armed with rifles and one was armed with a handgun. As the eight fled on foot from the Rip Crew, at least one of the Rip Crew members opened fired on the group. The victim was shot in the buttocks as he was running away.
 
While searching the area for the Rip Crew and other backpackers, two additional Hispanic males were located. Both were interviewed and at first denied their involvement but later one of them admitted he was one of the backpackers carrying the marijuana when the group was robbed of the marijuana by a Rip Crew.
 
All three subjects were turned over to U.S. Border Patrol as they admitted they were in the United States illegally.
 
The crime scene was located in the desert near where the victim called 9-1-1 to report he had been shot. Evidence at the scene included blood, food and a small quantity of marijuana. An attempt to track sign to find the Rip Crew was made by PCSO SWAT and U.S. Border Patrol but it was not successful because of the heavy foot traffic in the area.
 
Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, “During a thirty-six hour period, deputies from the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office have investigated two separate robbery and shooting cases involving illegal immigrants and Rip Crews. During the first shooting, three Rip Crew members robbed the victims of their money and then pistol whipped and shot one of the victims. Last night, there was a group of eight illegal immigrants backpacking marijuana through the desert when they were confronted by five members of a Rip Crew. Once again the victims were robbed this time of their marijuana. As the victims fled for safety, one of them was shot in the buttocks. Last year Secretary Janet Napolitano who is in charge of our National Security told myself and other law enforcement leaders, the U.S./Mexico border can never be secured. Napolitano should be fired for her defeatist proclamation, which I and most Americans refuse to accept. We need new leaders for America that understand the threats of drug and human smuggling, yet more important is the graver national security threat presented from possible terrorist from countries of interest who will use the HOV lane here in Arizona to bring harm to America."
Date: 11/2/2012
]]> System Account Fri, 02 Nov 2012 16:43:16 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=620 13-Year-Old on Probation for Burglary Arrested Again for Burglary, Armed Robbery, Assault and Theft http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=619 Body:

On October 30th, 2012 at 12:09 a.m. the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office received a 9-1-1 call regarding a burglary in progress in the 5600 block of East Oasis Court, Florence. The caller reported that she and her husband had been asleep when they heard a noise downstairs in their residence. They went down to investigate and didn’t see anything. The husband went to check outside while the wife went back upstairs. As the wife was walking up the stairs, she was confronted by an unknown juvenile who was carrying her purse. She yelled for help and told the juvenile to give the purse back at which point he kicked her in the stomach and ran. The juvenile ran out of the residence and down the street. The husband chased after the juvenile and saw him go into a residence in the 24000 block of North Oasis Boulevard.

Deputies knocked on the door of the residence and spoke with a female who lived there. The female told deputies she lived at the residence with her 13-year-old grandson Tyrell Hursey. Deputies contacted Tyrell and the victim immediately recognized him as the individual who had broken into his home. Tyrell was taken into custody and later interviewed.

Tyrell was already on probation from a prior burglary and was required to wear an ankle bracelet as a condition of his probation. He admitted to sneaking out of his home and breaking into the other home. Once inside, he confirmed the details the victims had already told us. When asked why he did it, his response was “to steal stuff” so he could “sell it and make money.” He told deputies he has broken into other homes in the past and currently has a case pending for a burglary involving a firearm. He was booked into Juvenile Detention for Armed Robbery, Theft, Burglary and Assault.

Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, “Detectives will now compare fingerprints taken from Tyrell Hursey to see how many other recent burglaries in the area he was involved with. While only 13-years-old, Tyrell is already headed down a path which will prove to be that of a violent offender if he doesn’t receive help. Hopefully now that he has received a heavy hand of enforcement he will get the help he needs before it is too late.”

     

Date: 11/1/2012
]]> System Account Thu, 01 Nov 2012 22:08:43 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=619 Pursuit Leads to the Discovery of Marijuana Load Vehicle and Illegal Alien http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=618 Body:
On Friday, October 26, 2012 at 8:35 a.m. deputies from the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to assist members of the U.S. Border Patrol with a vehicle that was failing to yield. The vehicle was a Ford Thunderbird green in color with two individuals inside of it.
 
U.S Border Patrol had attempted to stop the vehicle on a traffic stop but the vehicle fled. U.S. Border Patrol deployed spikes and hit the front right tire causing it to deflate. The vehicle continued to flee after the tire fell off the rim.
 
The vehicle headed northbound on Indian Route 15 towards Casa Grande. Deputies started towards this area in an attempt to locate the vehicle. The vehicle made it into Casa Grande, where it collided with another vehicle. After striking the vehicle and fleeing, the Casa Grande Police Department along with our deputies began to pursue it. The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office helicopter was overhead and began to call out the pursuit. The vehicle then headed eastbound on Highway 84 towards Eloy.
 
At 8:56 a.m. the vehicle came to a stop at Alsdorf and Highway 84 in the City of Eloy. The driver and passenger inside of the vehicle, opened the doors and fled on foot. Our helicopter maintained a visual on the two individuals and directed ground units to their location. Both individuals were arrested in the carport of a residence in the 400 block of Hinton Street.
 
The passenger in the vehicle was identified as Jose Juan Cantu Millanes (age 19 from Mexico) and the driver was identified as Daniel Alvarado (age 18, a U.S. citizen).
 
Inside of the vehicle, deputies located 12 bundles of packaged Marijuana which weighed approximately 240 pounds. The street value of the marijuana is estimated to be worth $180,000.
 
Jose Juan Cantu Millanes and Daniel Alvarado will be booked into the Pinal County Adult Detention Center on the following charges, Possession of Marijuana for Sale, Transportation of Marijuana, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Additionally, Daniel Alvarado will be charged with Felony Flight and Leaving the Scene of an Accident. An immigration hold will also be placed on Jose Juan Cantu Millanes.
 
Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, “These two individuals showed they have no respect for law enforcement and no regard for the safety of the public. They attempted to flee in a vehicle and when they thought they could get away on foot they tried. Little did they know our air unit was above them and directed deputies on the ground directly to them. The air unit has made a tremendous impact on public safety in Pinal County and the service our office can provide to the public.”
 
Date: 10/30/2012
]]> System Account Tue, 30 Oct 2012 23:44:05 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=618 Deputy Chris Calhoun Selected as the 2012 MADD DUI Enforcement Officer of the Year http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=617 Body:
On October 11th, 2012 Pinal County Sheriff’s Deputy Chris Calhoun was selected as the 2012 MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Drivers) “DUI Enforcement Officer of the Year” at their annual awards dinner held at the Sheraton Tucson Hotel and Suites. The annual event, hosted by Southern Arizona MADD, recognizes the commitment made by individuals to make the streets of our communities safer through aggressive impaired driving enforcement and continued education.
 
The mission of Mothers Against Drunk Driving is to “stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking.” To date, MADD’s work has saved nearly 300,000 lives…and counting.
 
Deputy Calhoun is a member of the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office TrafficUnit. During 2011, Deputy Calhoun conducted 1,599 traffic stops, issued 959 citations and arrested 94 individuals who were impaired by alcohol and or drugs. Deputy Calhoun has advanced impaired driver training including the fact he is nationally certified as a “Drug Recognition Expert.” Less than 1% of all sworn law enforcement officers across the United States have this certification.
 
Lieutenant Jason Villegas who supervises the Traffic Unit stated, “Deputy Calhoun has displayed a tremendous commitment to the safety of the citizens of Pinal County. There is no doubt his enforcement efforts have saved countless lives.”
 
During 2009, Pinal County had a total of 3,755 motor vehicle collisions. Out of those collisions, there were 86 people killed and another 1,890 people injured. Over fifty percent of the fatal collisions in Pinal County involved alcohol and or drug impaired drivers. Each year, nearly 500 people are killed on Arizona’s roadways as the result of alcohol and drug-impaired crashes – a staggering 17,000 deaths nationally each year.
 
Sheriff Babeu believes high visibility, zero tolerance enforcement as well as impaired driver education is the foundation of any successful effort to reduce drunk driving and one of the ways to ensure those traveling the roads of our state are safer.
 
During his first year in office, Sheriff Babeu created the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit. The Traffic Unit patrols our roadways works speed and DUI enforcement on motorcycles, they are the coordinating agency for the Pinal County Regional DUI Task Force and they teach driver safety and alcohol and drug impairment awareness classes throughout the county.
 
During 2009 in Pinal County and across the Nation, the average of fatal collisions involving alcohol and or drug impairment was fifty percent, as a result of our stepped up enforcement, during 2011 our average was only 6%. The number of drivers arrested for alcohol impaired driving has increased by 27% from 2009 to 2011 and the number of drug impaired driving arrests increased by 875%. Yes that is correct 875%.
 
“How much is too much? If you have to ask, you already have your answer. If you’re going to drink, be responsible and plan ahead for a safe, sober ride home”, said Sheriff Paul Babeu.
 
The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office wants to thank Director Alberto Gutier from the “Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety” for the funding and support he has provided to our office. His office has provided funding to purchase motorcycles for enforcement, a regional DUI Task Force Command Van, portable breath testing devices, radar units and other equipment our office has needed to make our Traffic Unit one of the best in the state.
 
 
Date: 10/30/2012
]]> System Account Tue, 30 Oct 2012 23:41:06 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=617 UPDATE - PCSO Investigation of Alleged Kidnapping of a Juvenile http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=616 Body:

On Tuesday, October 23rd, 2012 at 7:50 a.m. the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 35000 block of North Richardson Drive, San Tan Valley regarding a reported kidnapping. The alleged victim in this case was reported as 15-year-old Samantha White.
 
During the course of the investigation it was determined the mother and father of Samantha had left for work earlier in the morning. The aunt of Samantha who also resides at the residence said she had left for a morning walk while Samantha was getting ready for school. When the aunt returned from her walk, she discovered the school books belonging to Samantha were scattered along the front walkway. The aunt went into the residence and was not able to locate Samantha. On top of the books left at the scene was a note which read, “You will get her back when she gets what she deserves.”
 
Based on the facts of the case, we had deputies, detectives and search and rescue members all respond to the scene and we immediately began a kidnapping investigation. Our detectives contacted other members of law enforcement belonging to the “Children Abduction Response Team” (CART) who responded to assist.
 
The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office during the course of the investigation had over 120 representatives from our office and the following agencies respond to assist with the investigation and help search for Samantha: U.S. Marshalls Office, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Mesa PD, Gilbert PD, Scottsdale PD, Phoenix PD, Peoria PD, Chandler PD, Tempe, PD, Paradise Valley PD, Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, Department of Corrections, Rural Metro Fire Department, PCSO Posse and PCSO Citizens on Patrol.
 
The description of Samantha was released to all Arizona news entities requesting help from the public in locating her. At 1 p.m. a citizen driving in a neighborhood approximately one mile from the home located an individual who matched the description of Samantha based on a newscast they had just seen.
 
Deputies responded and confirmed it was in fact Samantha. She was taken to our command post at which time she was checked by Rural Metro Fire Department for injuries. After she was cleared by medical personnel she was transported to another location to be interviewed by detectives.
 
During the interview, her description of the events which she said occurred are contrary to the evidence.

Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, “When a child is reported kidnapped every minute counts. The response today shows how seriously public safety agencies take these types of cases. Law enforcement cannot afford to sit back and wait and see if a child who is reported kidnapped is going to return home safely. Instead we need to utilize every possible resource to find the child as soon as possible. We will continue to keep this investigation open until we are able to say with absolute certainty what occurred.”

Date: 10/30/2012
]]> System Account Tue, 30 Oct 2012 23:37:09 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=616 PCSO Receives Grant Funding to Purchase New AEDs http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=615 Body:

The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office will be adding 20 new Automatic External Defibrillators (AED) on the road thanks to recent grant funding to our office by the Gila River Indian Community. Our office was just notified they will be providing $30,694.06 in funding.

The new units will bring the total number of AEDs in the field used by patrol deputies to 44. During the past eighteen months, our office has received 12 “AED’s” from the “Joe Gibson Memorial Foundation” and 12 from the “National Rifle Association” through a grant.

The 5,369 square miles which make up Pinal County is primarily comprised of unincorporated areas with PCSO deputies providing first responder service for emergency and medical calls. Pinal County is in fact larger than 3 U.S. States.

Upon being elected in 2008, Sheriff Babeu required all sworn deputies to take Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) recertification training. During January of 2011, deputies were trained to use AEDs. During the past four years we have been able to cut emergency response times in half.

When PCSO dispatch receives an emergency call involving a person not breathing, deputies are dispatched and many times they arrive on scene before medical responders due to the large geographical area. Because the chance of surviving sudden cardiac arrest decreases by 10% every minute, defibrillators must be administered quickly following a collapse.

On Monday November 5th, 2012 at 11 a.m. seven Pinal County Sheriff’s employees will be recognized by Rural Metro Fire Department and Sheriff Babeu for lives they saved by using either CPR or AEDs. The event will be held at Rural/Metro Fire Station 843 in Copper Basin (28353 N. Main Street, San Tan Valley).

  • On September 22nd, 2012 Deputies Tyler Fisher and Guy Carino responded to a residence regarding a male subject who was not breathing. Deputies arrived to the call within one minute and immediately utilized an AED and CPR. The subject began breathing on his own but stopped breathing once again a short time later. The deputies continued to provide treatment utilizing the AED and CPR until medical personnel arrived. Once medics arrived, they took over the medical treatment. The subject was taken to a local hospital where he made a full recovery.
  • On October 5th, 2012 Deputies Paul Dudish and Jonathan Poterson responded to a residence regarding a child choking on a carrot. Deputies arrived at the residence within a few minutes and immediately provided medical assistance to help dislodge the carrot from the child’s airway with the help of medics. The child made a full recovery.
  • On October 23rd, 2012 Lt Ruben Leos, Deputy Chad Lakosky and Deputy Edward Castro responded to a residence regarding a 70-year-old male who was unconscious and not breathing. The reporting party also reported that a neighbor was attempting to start CPR. With the area being remote, medical response was extended up to twenty minutes and Lt Leos was in the area, arriving on scene within 7 minutes of the call. Lt Leos observed a man unconscious and blue with another man attempting to give CPR compressions, Lt Leos immediately began giving mouth to mask air to the patient while the neighbor continued with chest compressions. Deputy Lakosky arrived and took over chest compressions with the Lt continuing to give the patient breaths. Deputy Castro arrived and assisted the units with CPR until the first ambulance arrived on scene. EMS arrived on scene and while deputies continued CPR they hooked up the patient to an AED, administering a shock and they were able to obtain a pulse after using an AED. EMS took over treatment and the patient was transported to a local hospital. The man made a full recovery.

Below is another example of a life which was saved by the use of an AED.

  • On June 16, 2011, a deputy responded to a call of a 76-year-old male subject who had stopped breathing. A deputy arrived within minutes and immediately began performing life saving measures on the victim. After using Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and using an AED the victim began to breath. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he made a full recovery.

Sheriff Babeu stated, “Protecting and serving the public is what the men and women who wear our badge do day in and day out. The Gila River Indian Community has been a strong partner and supporter of our efforts. This vital funding to purchase AEDs will undoubtedly save countless lives over the years. I am proud of our deputies and thankful for the number of lives they have saved thanks to this equipment and training”.

Date: 10/30/2012
]]> System Account Tue, 30 Oct 2012 23:34:25 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=615 Rios and Matias Arrested for Transportation of Marijuana http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=613 Body:
On Monday, October 29th, 2012 at 11:10 p.m. a Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Canine Handler stopped a 2004 Ford F-150 on Toltec Road north of I-10 after he observed the vehicle commit several traffic violations.
 
The driver of the vehicle was Matias Lopez (age 43 of Eloy) and the passenger was Javier Rios (age 18 of Mexico).
 
While speaking with the driver and passenger, the deputy could see in plain view three bundles of what appeared to be marijuana. The bundles still had the backpacking straps attached to them. In the bed of the truck, the deputy could see a fourth backpack bundle.
 
The deputy could also smell a strong odor of the marijuana as well. A check of the bundles confirmed in fact they contained package marijuana. The marijuana weighed 205 pounds with a street value of $153,750.
 
Lopez and Rios were arrested for one count each of Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Marijuana for Sale and Transportation of Marijuana for Sale. Both were booked into the Pinal County Adult Detention Center for these charges. Additionally an immigration hold was placed on Rios as he admitted he is in the United States illegally.
 
Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, “Secretary Janet Napolitano is responsible for America’s security and last year she told Arizona law enforcement leaders the U.S. and Mexico border will never be secured. As a result of this failure, the continuous flow of humans and drugs continue to enter America. The volume of drugs coming through is increasing in Pinal County despite what she says. Last year alone, we seized 94,411 pounds of marijuana with a street value of $70,808,250. Additionally weapons are flowing across the border as a result of the Department of Justice providing them through the failed program known as Operation Fast and Furious to the very cartels law enforcement are fighting against.”
 
Date: 10/30/2012
]]> System Account Tue, 30 Oct 2012 23:25:52 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=613 Violent Crime Cases not Charged http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=612 Body:
The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office has been contacted by both media and the public over the past few weeks inquiring about the number of violent crime cases not charged by the Pinal County Attorney’s Office.

Sheriff Babeu and members of our staff have had repeated discussions with both County Attorney James Walsh and his staff members about our concerns related to his failure to hold those who commit violent crimes responsible for their actions and the affect it will have on public safety in Pinal County.

In fact, law enforcement is being told by suspects they know to come to Pinal County to commit their crimes because they know that they will only get probation if they are busted.

On Thursday, October 4th, 2012 Sheriff Babeu sent the attached letter to Mr. Walsh further highlighting this issue and he provided numerous examples of cases.

On Saturday, October 6th, 2012 the Arizona Republic wrote a story about this same issue. See the below link for additional information.

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/2012/09/28/20120928pinal-county-attorneyrace- intensifies.html

Since there have been so many inquiries related to this issue and requests to learn more about it on Monday, October 8th at 2 p.m. several of our members who have been affected by these cases are willing to sit down talk about these cases with members of the media. The meeting will be at the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office which is located at 971 Jason Lopez Circle, Florence.

The deputies, detectives and supervisors will talk about many of the cases listed in the attached letter to Mr. Walsh and share others as well and give their perspective on how it affects public safety for our deputies and the citizens we serve.



Pinal County Sheriff’s Office



October 4th, 2012


Pinal County Attorney’s Office Attn: James Walsh 30 North Florence Street Building D Florence, AZ 85132

Re: Violent Offenders Getting Probation


Dear Mr. Walsh,

While this letter may come at a very political time of year, this topic could not be further from politics. There is nothing more important than the realization of my request herein. Recently, with the death of Denise Padilla-Shaw, it became ever so apparent that you have done very little to secure the safety of our Pinal families. As such, having myself, sworn an oath to serve and protect, I feel that it is my responsibility to inform you that despite my best efforts, people are dying in Pinal County as a direct result of your failure to prosecute violent felons.

You took an oath to administer justice. Similar to former County Attorney Andrew Thomas, you have never personally prosecuted a felony case. Therefore, you do not have an adequate understanding of how to prosecute. The major difference between Mr. Thomas and you is that Mr. Thomas made up for his lack of prosecutorial experience by relying on an overzealous subordinate. Unfortunately, you fall on the far extreme side of the spectrum by not pursuing most of the dangerous individuals in Pinal County. I’m afraid that your actions are far more harmful to the citizens of Pinal County, than former Maricopa County Attorney, Andrew Thomas’ actions were to himself. On the one hand, we have a disbarred attorney. On the one other hand, we have people being murdered. Without knowing how to administer justice, your oath to administer justice, remains hollow.

Therefore, I’m looking for a solution to this massive problem. First of all, there are far too many cases that you and your office refuse to prosecute. Secondly, once the cases are charged, your office failed to properly prosecute, sixty-one percent of defendants charged with mandatory prison charges, making them the most dangerous people on our streets, instead they were either released on probation or their cases are getting completely dismissed. This sixty-one percent would be greatly increased if we were to count all of the mandatory prison charges involving violent dangerous crimes that you have refused to prosecute. The following, are examples of only a few of the many cases, most of which, never even made it as far as charging, which in-turn, can only increase the number of dangerous individuals that will eventually end up back on our streets.

I. Bryan Shaw

In 1989, in Pinal County, when Shaw turned 18 years old, he was arrested for Attempted 1st Degree Murder. He eventually accepted a plea agreement, for a probation eligible offense. He received 5 years of probation, violating that probation almost immediately and getting sentenced to 3.75 years in prison.

Soon after Shaw was released from prison, his violent crimes continued, namely for misdemeanor domestic violence but also getting arrested for Armed Robbery. He soon moved to Maricopa County.

In 2001, Maricopa County prosecutors convicted Shaw at trial for another dangerous felony. This came after Shaw decided that he didn’t want to take a plea, which also happened to be a domestic violence offense, in Mesa, AZ. That crime arose from an aggravated assault, again with a gun, against the mother of his 3 children, “Veronica”. After trial and prior to the time of sentencing, Shaw recounted the crime to the Presentence Report Investigator, Lynn Smithson saying, in part, that “Veronica” was fearful on the night of that crime because she believed that he was going to kill her when he returned to get items from their house. Smithson quoted Shaw in her report, as responding to “Veronica’s” fear by saying, “No, what the f* am I going to kill you for, we have kids together. I would kill both of us before I just killed you.”

After serving 7.5 years in prison for that dangerous and violent crime, he returned to Pinal County.

In 2011, Shaw was arrested for threatening to shoot his uncle here in Pinal County. Your office refused to charge the Aggravated Assault (Dangerous) and Threatening or Intimidating charges and only charged the Misconduct Involving Weapons charge. That by itself changed the case from a mandatory prison case to a probation eligible case if the allegation of prior felony convictions is dropped, which your office did.

In 2012, this year, Shaw received probation for that otherwise, mandatory prison case. In the plea agreement, the County Attorney specifically agreed to not bring charges for Aggravated Assault or Threatening or Intimidating. In the police report, it is evident that an Aggravated Assault occurred.

In preparation for sentencing, Shaw’s most recent probation officer, Diana F. Harris, in her March 19, 2012, presentence report, correctly stated, “The victim in all of his (Shaw’s) domestic violence convictions between 1996 and 2001 was the mother of his (Shaw’s) three oldest children.” She also points out that, “He (Shaw) has four prior violent convictions.” If Shaw had been charged and convicted of the Aggravated Assault, Class 3 Dangerous, with one prior dangerous felony conviction, Shaw would have been sentenced to an absolute minimum of 14 years in prison.


II. Hilario Gonzales-Soliz

Deputy Heath Rankin was involved in a high speed pursuit of a vehicle with four occupants. The vehicle was traveling at speeds of up to 100 mph. The driver attempted to evade the deputy by pulling into a hotel parking lot. While pulling into the parking lot, the driver almost struck a family but instead collided into their vehicle they were walking towards. All four occupants of the vehicle then fled on foot.

Deputy Rankin was still the only unit on scene. He cleared the vehicle and then gave chase after the suspects while providing responding units the description of the suspects. Deputy Rankin was able to catch up to Hilario Gonzales Soliz and ordered him to stop running. Soliz turned and faced off with Deputy Rankin in a fighting stance. Deputy Rankin and Soliz immediately engaged in a physical fight. During the fight, Deputy Rankin sustained a broken hand. The injury he sustained prevented him from full use of his hand for over one year.

Two of the other suspects were later taken into custody. The vehicle contained over 400 pounds of packaged marijuana for sale. Soliz was booked into the Pinal County Adult Detention Center for Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Marijuana for Sale, Transportation of Marijuana for Sale, Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer and Resisting Arrest.

The plea offer made to Lopez, despite our objection, was for one count of Possession of Marijuana. All of the other charges were dropped by your office. Adding insult to injury, your office told my Deputy he was “surprised Deputy Rankin wasn’t charged for blatantly punching” the suspect. My deputy was forced into a physical confrontation and he used physical force to defend himself and your office wants to tell my deputy he is “surprised Deputy Rankin wasn’t charged for blatantly punching” the suspect.


III. Jose Manuel Gonzalez-Sandoval

On August 16th, 2010 the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office received a 9-1-1 call from a child indicating her father and another man was trying to break into the home where she and her mother lived. The father did not reside at the residence.

Deputy Heath Rankin and Deputy Jesus Lopez responded. As they approached the residence, Jose Manuel Gonzalez-Sandoval pointed a handgun at them and pulled the trigger to your office so you could see the severity of the assault. After being beaten, Cross dragged the victim out of his cell, down a flight of stairs and left him by a door.

The victim was beaten so severely he had to be air lifted to the Maricopa Medical Center in Phoenix for treatment.

Our office submitted charges of Aggravated Assault to your office. On September 25th we were notified your office was going to “decline charges as part of a plea agreement” on an unrelated case involving armed robbery and kidnapping. In other words, no justice will be done for the victim of this case as his case was dropped by your office.


VI. Alejandro Stalter

On January 8th, 2010, Alejandro Stalter (age 18) drove his truck head on into a motorcycle, which was driven by Mark Vernick. Mark was killed instantly as a result of the crash. Roadway and crash evidence clearly showed Alejandro drove left of center and head on into the motorcycle Mark was driving.

Alejandro admitted to deputies, after being read his Miranda Rights, that he did “cocaine” the previous day.

A Drug Recognition Expert conducted a “Drug Impairment Evaluation” – otherwise known as a DRE – on Alejandro a few hours after the collision had occurred. The evaluation, which evaluates both clinical and physical signs of impairment, showed Alejandro was impaired by a “CNS Stimulant and Marijuana.”

A blood test was obtained and later tested by the Arizona Department of Public Safety Crime Laboratory. The test showed the presence of “Benzoylecgonine” which is a metabolite of cocaine. The blood test confirmed there was 54 ng/ml of the cocaine metabolite in his system at the time the blood was drawn. The blood was drawn nearly 2 ½ hours after Alejandro caused the collision which killed Mark Vernick. The Arizona Department of Public Safety Criminalist stated that the cutoff level for their lab to confirm the presence of benzoylecgonine in blood is 20 to 25 ng/ml. As you can see, Alejandro had twice the amount in his system.

Your office declined all charges on this case and closed it until my staff met with members of your staff and pointed out factual inaccuracies with the information your office used to justify their decision not to charge. In fact, we offered to provide a prosecutor from another agency who had agreed to prosecute the case if your office refused.

In the end, your office was forced to do your job because of the pressure to prosecute the suspect for the homicide he committed.


V. Brandon Maguire

On August 29th, 2010 at 9:40 p.m. Deputy Robert Taylor was dispatched to assist paramedics with a subject. Brandon Maguire assaulted paramedics and punched Deputy Taylor in the face. Maguire continued to resist arrest and punched Deputy Taylor several more times while he attempted to arrest him. Deputy Taylor was in his full duty uniform at the time and had identified himself as a deputy.

Maguire was taken to a local hospital where he was medically cleared to be booked into our Adult Detention Center. He was booked for two counts of Aggravated Assault (one for the paramedic and one for the deputy) and Resisting Arrest.

He received only one year of probation from your office as part of his plea offer and he was released from probation early.


V1. Anthony Urquides

On January 26th, 2012 at 10:47 p.m. Deputy Robert Taylor was dispatched to a suspicious vehicle call. Deputy Taylor attempted to stop the vehicle but the vehicle fled. A pursuit was initiated and Deputy Taylor chased the vehicle for 3 miles through a residential area before it stopped. Urquides was taken into custody.

Inside of Urquides vehicle was a loaded AK-47 with two magazines, a drug transaction ledger and a large sum of cash.

Urquides was booked for Aggravated Assault from a prior weapons case out of Eloy. The charges were submitted to your office along with a charge of Unlawful Flight. Urquides was already on probation at this time and once again only received probation for this offense from your office.


Additional Cases: Prior to writing this letter, I have taken the time to read nearly 600 pages of summaries of the cases which your office handled through 2010. In 2011, your office continued this pattern of releasing the most violent offenders. Contained in the cases below are further examples, most of which are merely out of the first 40 pages of 600 pages of case summaries from 2010, which highlight the weak prosecution your office has earned a reputation for. Some of these cases included a small amount of jail time but none of them included prison.

Kidnapping with a Deadly Weapon - S1100CR200901261 & S1100CR200901262 (both defendants were allowed to earn misdemeanors)

Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon (Shooting at a Police Officer) - S1100CR200801978 (given probation)

Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon - S1100CR201100295 (given probation)

Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon: S1100CR201101237 This was Defendant’s second violent offense within 14 months: - at the time of this offense, HE WAS ALREADY ON PROBATION for what should have been a dangerous offense: S1100CR201000781 (given probation)

Armed Robbery with a Deadly Weapon: S1100CR200900992 (Probation)

Burglary 1st Degree/Armed Robbery with a Deadly Weapon: S1100CR200900993 (Probation)

Manslaughter/DUI: S1100CR200901003 (Dismissed w/o prejudice)

Armed Robbery with a Deadly Weapon: S1100CR200901097 (Probation)

Armed Robbery with a Deadly Weapon: S1100CR200901097 (Probation)

Assisting Criminal Syndicate: S1100CR200901148 (Probation)

Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon: S1100CR200901208 (Probation)

Kidnapping and Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon: S1100CR200901211 (Probation)


Because of this serious threat to our Pinal families, I must turn for help outside of our usual process if you continue with these lax policies on our most violent offenders. Your lack of experience in criminal prosecution sets all of the citizens up in Pinal County for repeat violent offenders returning to the streets. In fact, my deputies and other police agencies are being told by defendants they know to come to Pinal County to commit their crimes because they know that they will only get probation if they are busted. This absolute lack of prosecution places all of us, in Pinal County, in peril.

I am requesting we set up a meeting this week between you and members of our office who have been involved with some of these cases as they would like to talk with you personally and let you know how your lack of prosecution has affected public safety in Pinal County and made their jobs much more difficult.


Respectfully,



Paul Babeu, Sheriff
Pinal County, Arizona
Date: 10/4/2012
]]> System Account Thu, 25 Oct 2012 17:17:53 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=612 PCSO K-9 Handler Locates $77,000 Worth of Marijuana http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=611 Body:

On Thursday, October 18th, 2012 at 9:20 p.m. a Pinal County Sheriff’s K-9 Deputy stopped a vehicle westbound along Interstate-8 near milepost 175 for numerous traffic violations. The sole occupant of the vehicle was the driver. The driver was later identified as Hector Torres Adorno (age 41 of Tucson).

Hector was extremely nervous and a strong odor of marijuana was coming from inside of the vehicle. The deputy could see in plain sight a blue blanket covering what appeared to be several packaged bundles. The area along Interstate-8 is known as a major drug smuggling corridor. The driver failed to provide the deputy with any information regarding to whom the vehicle belonged too when asked or why it smelled so heavily of marijuana.

The deputy looked under the blanket, and observed five packaged bundles of marijuana. The marijuana was seized and placed into PCSO Evidence. The marijuana weighed 110 pounds with a street value of $77,000. Hector declined to speak with investigators about the marijuana. The 2005 Buick Rendezvous SUV was also seized.

Hector Torres Adorno was booked into the Pinal County Adult Detention Center for one count each of Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Marijuana for Sale and Transportation of Marijuana. During his initial appearance, his bond was set by a judge at $50,000. On October 21st, his bond was posted and he was turned over to the custody of ICE.

It was later determined that Hector has been using fake Social Security Numbers and in fact has been deported from the United States seven prior times.

Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, “Those involved with drug and human smuggling attempt to push their loads through Pinal County so they can be distributed throughout the United States. Last year our office led a multi-agency operation which dealt a death blow to a multi-billion dollar drug ring during Operation Pipeline Express. The investigation was the largest drug bust in state history against the drug cartels. We will continue to seek out those involved with this type of illegal activity and put them behind bars.”

       

Date: 10/24/2012
]]> System Account Wed, 24 Oct 2012 16:57:54 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=611 Pursuit Leads to Human Smuggling Investigation http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=610 Body:

On Friday, October 19, 2012 at 7:45 a.m. a deputy from the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office attempted to stop a Chevy pickup truck at Steele Road and Highway 87 for an equipment violation. The driver of the truck failed to yield and continued traveling at 45 to 50 mph. A vehicle pursuit was initiated and the vehicle drove for approximately four more miles while failing to yield to the deputies emergency lights and siren.

When the vehicle was approximately one mile away from the Coolidge Airport, the vehicle stopped and 20 individuals exited and ran in different directions. Additional members of the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Border Patrol and officers from the Coolidge Police Department responded to assist.

Four of the individuals were located hiding in nearby brush. The individuals said they were with a group of 20 people which had entered the United States illegally. The individuals who were captured said they were from Durango, Mexico.

The four illegal aliens who were captured were turned over to the U.S. Border Patrol.

The Chevy truck will be impounded by the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, “My deputies continue to do their job attempting to stop those who are involved with drug and human smuggling from traveling freely through the United States. Due to this current administration’s policies, less than 15% of the illegals who are apprehended in the Tucson Sector ever get prosecuted for entering the United States illegally. This past year, in the Tucson Sector alone there were 123,000 illegals apprehended.”

Date: 10/23/2012
]]> System Account Tue, 23 Oct 2012 20:14:19 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=610 Two Arrested, Charged with Money Laundering after Traffic Stop along I‐10 Turns Up Over $125K http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=609 Body:
FLORENCE, Ariz. – Two people have been arrested and charged with money laundering after a Pinal County Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit discovered over $125,000 in cash during a traffic stop along Interstate 10.

On 8/28/2012, at approximately 8:27 p.m., a PCSO K-9 deputy on patrol near eastbound Interstate 10 and Sunshine Blvd. observed a driver in a grey, 2003 Kia Forte commit an unsafe lane change while following another vehicle at an unsafe distance.

(6) zip locked plastic bags pictured as they were concealed under the back seat of the rental car.
The deputy initiated a traffic stop at mile post 213. The driver of the vehicle, identified as Anthony Oyola, 24, and his passenger, identified as Crystal Rincon, 18, both from Tucson, gave the deputy conflicting stories when asked separately where they were coming from. A registration check showed the vehicle was a rental car but neither Oyola nor Rincon’s name appeared on the rental agreement. The vehicle was also past the agreed date of return.

The deputy observed numerous items inside the vehicle, including cell phones, female designer hand bags and a wallet which had recently been purchased. Oyola and Rincon claimed the property and gave consent to search the vehicle. Both denied the presence on any drugs, weapons or large amounts of currency inside the vehicle.

While searching the vehicle, the K-9 deputy observed a plastic bag which had been concealed under the back seat of the car.

The PCSO K-9 was then deployed, giving a positive hit of the contents under the seat. (The K-9 is trained in detecting narcotics and currency.)

The back seat was pulled upright, exposing (6) plastic bags of US currency. The total amount seized in the stop was $125,400. Additionally, the recently purchased items, totaling over $1,000 were seized.

Seized money pictured from the 8/28/2012 traffic stop.
Both Oyola and Rincon were both arrested on charges of Money Laundering.

“Since July 4th, 2012, PCSO patrol deputies have seized over $325,000 in criminal cash,” Sheriff Babeu said. “We shall continue to confiscate their drugs, cash and auction off their cars. We will take this money and put it back into the community through youth programs, women’s shelters and purchase needed law enforcement equipment.”
Date: 10/5/2012
]]> System Account Tue, 23 Oct 2012 17:26:55 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=609 Pursuit Uncovers Vehicle Used for Human Smuggling http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=608 Body:
On Thursday October 11, 2012 at approximately 5:28 a.m. a patrol deputy initiated a traffic stop on a white Chevrolet truck on Interstate-10 near, mile marker 198 for a traffic violation. The vehicle had been observed by the deputy weaving outside of the lane on several occasions.

When the deputy turned on his emergency lights, the truck accelerated to over 100 mph in an attempt to evade the deputy. The truck continued westbound on Interstate-10 until it was near the exit at McCartney Road. The vehicle failed to stay on the roadway and instead drove through the right-away-fence and continued driving in a northeasterly direction through the desert at a high rate of speed.

Members of the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, Casa Grande Police Department, the United States Border Patrol and PCSO Air Unit responded to assist.

The truck was located abandoned in the desert area near Woodruff Road and Cox Road. Law enforcement members began searching the area and located two individuals. The individuals had told the deputies they were part of a group of twenty persons. The individuals said they were all from Mexico and had crossed into the United States illegally.

The two individuals were turned over the to the U.S. Border Patrol for deportation. The other individuals were never located.

Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, “On July 7th, 2011 myself and several law enforcement officials met with Secretary Janet Napolitano in person regarding our southern border. Secretary Napolitano told our group we are never going to seal the border, and since the beginning of time, we’ve always had contraband going through it. I along with most Americans wonder how the person in charge of securing the border can say we can’t do it. The border can be secured. It has already happened in the Yuma Sector where border crossings have been reduced by 96%. Why can we put 28,000 soldiers in Korea to secure and protect their border but we can’t put 6,000 here to protect our own border?”
Date: 10/11/2012
]]> System Account Tue, 23 Oct 2012 17:12:19 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=608 Juvenile Playing with Ammunition Injured in Mammoth http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=607 Body:
On Saturday October 13, 2012 at 3:28 p.m. Deputies from the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office along with Emergency Medical Technicians (E.M.S.) were dispatched to the 83000 block of East Palomita Drive outside of Mammoth for a juvenile male with a shotgun wound to his left hand.

When deputies and EMS personnel arrived on scene, they discovered a fourteen-year-old male with a shotgun wound to his left hand. The victim was stabilized by medical staff and later transported to a Tucson hospital where he underwent surgery for his injury.

The investigation revealed, two juvenile males both age fourteen had found various rounds of ammunition in a shed behind their property. The juveniles decided to place a metal pipe in a vice and then place the ammunition inside of the pipe and strike the primer with a hammer/ax to discharge the rounds.

At least two spent casings for a rifle chambered in 30-30 were located as well as an old piece of wooden furniture placed in the path of the end of the metal pipe about twenty feet away. The wooden chest had at least one hole in it indicating a successful fire. When one of the juveniles placed a 12-gauge-shotgun slug in the pipe and attempted to discharge it in the same manner, the round blew up and shrapnel became lodged in the palm of his left hand.

The unspent rounds of ammunition were seized for destruction as the guardian of the child is a prohibited possessor and is not able to possess ammunition or firearms. The guardian told deputies he had inherited the property from his grandfather and the ammunition had been left in the shed. The guardian also claimed no knowledge to what the juveniles were doing until one of them was injured.

Child protective services was notified.

       

Date: 10/15/2012
]]> System Account Tue, 23 Oct 2012 17:10:35 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=607 Sheriff Babeu announces Anti-Smuggling Posse http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=606 Body:
Florence, Ariz. - Today, Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu held a press conference at 10 a.m along with State Senator Sylvia Allen, Chief Deputy Steve Henry and SWAT Commander Lieutenant Matt Thomas to announce the creation of an armed Anti-Smuggling Posse (ASP) to assist in fighting the rampant drug smuggling in Pinal County. The posse will be comprised of unpaid volunteers.

The ASP will provide surveillance and intelligence support to the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office Regional SWAT during tactical operations they perform against the Mexican Drug Cartels in western Pinal County.

Some of the largest drug trafficking routes in America come through Pinal County. In October of 2011, PCSO led a multi-agency drug bust against the Sinaloa Drug Cartel. The cartel was smuggling more than $33 million dollars worth of drugs each month. The operation took away two to three billion dollars worth of illegal money from the Sinaloa Drug Cartel, the operation arrested 76 cartel members , seized 108 weapons including multiple assault weapons, two of which were traced back to the ATF's Fast & Furious failed gun running program.

ASP members are required to pass a full background investigation and will be trained on Pinal County Sheriff’s Office Policy and Procedures. The armed posse members will also be required to participate in quarterly weapons training and qualifications. The members will receive tactical training prior to participating in any operations.

Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, “The creation of the armed Anti-Smuggling Posse will assist our tactical team and narcotics task force as they continue to track, identify and arrest those responsible for drug and human trafficking in Pinal County. The cartels of Mexico have between 75 to 100 lookout posts through this known drug and human smuggling corridor. They use these high vantage points to ensure their loads, whether they are humans or drugs, make it through. The armed Anti-Smuggling Posse with help provide additional strength to our operations to ensure the safety of our citizens and our members.We will continue to bring the heavy hand of enforcement to those who think they can smuggle drugs or humans through Pinal County.”

State Senator Sylvia Allen stated, “I have worked on legislation over the years to create a State Guard to help protect our citizens against those involved with drug and human smuggling which comes through our state every day. I am proud to stand by Sheriff Babeu as he took some of my ideas and created an armed Anti-Smuggling Posse. While the Federal Government is not doing their job to protect our State as your State Senator, I will stand with law enforcement as they do.”
Date: 10/10/2012
]]> System Account Tue, 23 Oct 2012 16:55:10 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=606 Casa Grande Teen Killed Following Two Vehicle Collision http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=605 Body:
FLORENCE, Ariz. – A two vehicle collision Friday evening has claimed the life of a local teen.

On 9/14/2012 at approximately 6:24 p.m., a 2006 GMC pickup driven by Felipe Urias, 27, of Toltec, heading eastbound along W Phillips Road, went through a posted stop sign at the intersection of Chuichu Road and struck a 1987 Ford Bronco, driven by Albert Arias, 17, of Casa Grande, heading northbound.

Arias’ vehicle pictured as it came to rest following the collision.
Arias was severely injured during the collision when his SUV struck a utility pole.

Medical units responded and transported Arias via air from the scene Maricopa Medical Center in Phoenix where he passed away the following day.

It is estimated Urias was traveling at an excessive rate of speed and failed to yield when he went through the posted intersection, striking Arias’ vehicle.

Arias was a three year member with the Casa Grande Police Department’s Youth Explorer post #2920, and was preparing for a career in law enforcement.

Speed and inattention are likely contributing factors in the collision.

It should be noted, Urias was arrested and cited by a PCSO patrol deputy on 2/22/2012 for Criminal Speed after he was found to be traveling 85 mph in a posted 50 mph zone.

Additional charges are possible pending a full investigation, which is ongoing.

ʺOur hearts and prayers go out to Albert Ariasʹ family following this senseless tragedy,ʺ Sheriff Paul Babeu said. ʺWeʹre grieving with the Casa Grande Police Department as they cope with losing one of their finest Youth Explorers, who had a bright future in law enforcement. To see a young personʹs life cut short by someone who has already demonstrated reckless behavior behind the wheel is extremely disappointing.”
Date: 9/17/2012
]]> System Account Tue, 23 Oct 2012 16:53:24 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=605 Deputies Save San Tan Valley Man’s Life Using CPR, Automated External Defibrillator http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=604 Body:
SAN TAN VALLEY, Ariz. – A 63-year-old San Tan Valley man is alive thanks to two Pinal County Sheriff’s Office deputies who responded first on scene with the right tools and training.

On 9/22/2012, at approximately 12:12 a.m., two deputies responded to a home in the 24000 block of North Mohave Lane in the Magic Ranch sub division, San Tan Valley, on a report the home owner was not breathing.

Pictured is the Cardiac Science Power Heart G3 Plus unit now in use thanks to NRA grant funding.
Once on scene the deputies located the unresponsive 63‐year‐old man and immediately began life saving measures. One of the deputies retrieved an automatic external defibrillator (AED) while the other began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

After the victim’s shirt was cut off, deputies used the AED multiple times, alternating between chest compressions as trained.

After the third shock with the AED, the victim began breathing on his own. As medical staff with the Rural Metro Fire Department arrived and begin taking over medical care, the victim again stoppedbreathing but was revived while en route to the hospital.

Thanks to quick response and utilization of the deputy’s AED and CPR, the subject was later stabilized by medical staff and thanked the deputies for saving his life.

Thanks to grant funding through the National Rifle Association and a generous donation from the Joe Gibson Memorial Foundation, (24) AEDs are currently in use by PCSO patrol and Search & Rescue deputies. In 2009, Sheriff Paul Babeu required all sworn deputies to take CPR recertification training.

“In a county as large as ours (5,369 sq. miles), its imperative deputies, who often arrive first on scene, have the same life saving skills and training as paramedics,” Sheriff Babeu said. “I’m pleased to see this equipment and training being put to good use by our sworn deputies. We are in the process of applying for additional grant funding to provide more deputies with life saving equipment to better serve our citizens and save lives.”
Date: 9/25/2012
]]> System Account Tue, 23 Oct 2012 15:54:22 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=604 Stops Sticks, Taser Used to End Pursuit After Driver Rams PCSO Patrol Vehicle Multiple Times http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=603 Body:
CATALINA, Ariz. – A Tucson man is in custody, charged with a list of felony offenses after leading PCSO deputies on a pursuit that ended after the suspect rammed a patrol vehicle.

John Contreras
On 9/25/2012 at approximately 3:53 a.m., a PCSO deputy on patrol along southbound Highway 77 near mile post 100 noticed a driver behaving erratically while the deputy was parked along side the road.

A black H2 Hummer SUV driven by John Contreras, 31, of Tucson came to a sudden stop behind the deputy and turned off his lights while blocking southbound traffic.

Contreras revved the SUV’s engine and drove forward, causing the deputy to make an evasive move to avoid a collision. As Contreras passed by, the deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop.

Contreras attempted to cause the deputy to wreck several times by slamming on his brakes to a stop while continuing to drive carelessly by swerving into all lanes of travel.

At mile post 95, Contreras turned into an industrial entrance where a locked gate forced him to stop. Contreras then rammed the deputy’s patrol vehicle after putting his vehicle into reverse. Contreras then fled once again and the pursuit continued on Highway 77 at speeds of 80 mph. During the pursuit, Contreras also struck multiple signs along the highway.

Contreras vehicle pictured after a PCSO deputy deployed stop sticks to successfully disable the two right tires.
A second PCSO unit successfully deployed stop sticks along Hwy 77, striking the front and rear passengers side tires on the SUV.

Contreras continued south as his tires deflated and came apart down to the rims, causing him to lose speed. At the intersection of Hwy 77 and Tortolita Street, Contreras again turned aggressively and rammed the deputy’s vehicle, causing it to stop.

Units approached the SUV and gave orders to Contreras to exit the vehicle, but he initially refused to comply. A short time later Contreras exited the vehicle but still refused to comply with orders given by deputies. Contreras then attempted to flee back into his vehicle. Fearing he was going to obtain a weapon or possibly flee once again in the vehicle, one of the deputies deployed his Taser on Contreras. He was then taken into custody without further incident.

Deputies suspect Contreras was possibly impaired by alcohol. A blood sample was obtained and will be submitted to the Arizona Department of Public Safety for testing.

Contreras was booked into the Pinal County Adult Detention Center for the following charges: Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer with a Weapon (2 Counts), Criminal Damage (2 Counts), Felony Flight, Resisting Arrest, Endangerment (2 counts), and Reckless Driving. Currently he is being held on a $50,000 bond. Additional impaired driving related charges are pending and maybe filed after we obtain his blood alcohol results.

Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, “thankfully none of our deputies or citizens were injured by the complete disregard of human life exhibited by the actions of John Contreras. Law enforcement has done our job to keep the citizens of Pinal County safe. Now it’s time for the County Attorney’s Office to do their job and prosecute Contreras to the fullest extent.”
Date: 9/26/2012
]]> System Account Tue, 23 Oct 2012 15:50:15 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=603 Alcohol Suspected in Two Fatal Crashes Over Holiday Weekend http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=602 Body:
FLORENCE, Ariz. – The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office is investigating two separate single motor vehicle roll-over crashes which left one person dead in each incident.

Alcohol Suspected in Two Fatal Crashes Over Holiday Weekend

Vehicle driven by Wooten pictured.
62-Year-Old San Tan Valley Man Killed in Roll-Over

On the evening of 9/1/2012, around 9:23 p.m., a 2007 Kia Spectra traveling southbound along Ironwood Road lost control and rolled over the median, through opposite lanes of traffic and into a cattle fence before coming to rest.

Several people at the motocross track witnessed the accident and responded to the scene to help. The driver, identified as Rickey E Wooten, 62, of San Tan Valley, suffered severe head trauma during the crash and was unresponsive.

An off-duty registered nurse stopped her vehicle and performed CPR on Wooten until paramedics arrived. Wooten was unresponsive and flown by air to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced deceased. Evidence at the scene suggests speed and alcohol were contributing factors in the roll-over.


Vehicle driven by Gurulee pictured.
Two Injured, One Killed on Early Morning Roll-Over

On the morning of 9/2/2012, around 2:12 a.m., PCSO deputies responded to the area of Cactus Forest Road, near the intersection of Custer Road, Florence, for a single vehicle roll-over collision.

The driver of the vehicle, Damien Gurulee, 18, lost control of the sedan he was driving westbound along Cactus Rd, and rolled through several trees.

One 18-year-oldpassenger was injured during the roll-over, while a third passenger, identified as Albert Lopez, 22, was fatally injured and pronounced deceased on scene.

Gurulee and the other 18-year-old passenger were both flown by air to Maricopa Medical Center for treatment.

Speed and alcohol are being investigated as possible contributing factors in the roll-over.
Date: 9/4/2012
]]> System Account Tue, 23 Oct 2012 15:36:14 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=602 Illegal Immigrant Deported Three Times Arrested by PCSO on Weapons, Assault Charges http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=601 Body:
STANFIELD, Ariz. – An illegal immigrant from Mexico, who had been previously deported from the U.S. on three separate occasions has been arrested after pointing a stolen handgun at an elementary school security guard.

Saul Martinez
On 9/15/2012, at approximately 11:31 a.m., PCSO deputies were dispatched to the Stanfield Elementary School after a security guard witnessed an unknown male subject walking from inside a locked gate on school property and then attempted to confront him.

The man, identified as Saul Martinez, 23, became irritated when asked what he was doing on school property, pulled a .40 caliber handgun from his waist and pointed it at the guard saying, “Back off.”

The guard went to his truck and called 911 as Martinez walked to a mobile home and changed shirts. The guard then drove to a nearby Circle K gas station as Martinez followed him on foot.

Martinez confronted the guard while he was seated in his truck at the Cirkle K parking lot. The guard told Martinez he simply wanted to know who he was because there had been recent break-ins and thefts at the school.

When deputies arrived on scene, they found Martinez sitting between a trash can and a gas pump. After they confirmed Martinez was the man responsible for possessing and pointing the gun, he was placed in handcuffs and searched.

Deputies located (2) .40 caliber bullets in Martinez’ pockets, but no gun. After a thorough search of the property was conducted, a deputy was able to locate the .40 caliber handgun hidden behind a RedBox movie rental machine.

Martinez eventually admitted to having the gun, but denied pointing it at the guard. A check of the gun’s serial number showed it was stolen out of Casa Grande. A check of Martinez identification showed he was an illegal immigrant from Mexico who had been deported by United States Border Patrol on 02/18/2009, 12/06/2009 and 07/12/2011.

Martinez was booked on the following charges: Possessing a Firearm on School Grounds, Prohibited Possessor of a Firearm, Aggravated Assault, Trespassing, Threats and Intimidation and Disorderly Conduct with a Firearm.

“This illegal immigrant continues to break our laws, going as far as to threaten the life of an American citizen on a local school yard,” Sheriff Paul Babeu said. “This is yet another example of what happens when we don’t enforce all the laws. No consequences undermines the rule of law and empowers the worst of criminals with the protection of political correctness; all while compromising the rights and safety of our own citizens.”
Date: 9/18/2012
]]> System Account Tue, 23 Oct 2012 15:11:58 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=601 Two Arrested After Narcotics Task Force Investigation Turns Up Meth, Cocaine, Marijuana and Cash http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=600 Body:
Adam Chavarria, 20 Christian Colin-Ortiz, 18
ELOY, Ariz. – Two Eloy men are behind bars following a traffic stop which capped off a month-long drug trafficking investigation.

On 8/27/2012 units with the Pinal County Narcotics Task Force initiated a traffic stop on Adam Chavarria, 20, of Eloy after watching him leave a residence where investigators believed he was trafficking drugs.

During the traffic stop Chavarria was immediately taken into custody after a registration check showed he was operating the vehicle on a suspended license.

As deputies cleared the vehicle for tow, investigators discovered and seized a variety of narcotics including:

Methamphetamine, 101.2 g ($2,700 street value), Cocaine, 1.4 g ($250 street value), Marijuana, 36.6 g ($100 street value).

Deputies also seized $1,025 in cash from Chavarria.

A passenger in the vehicle identified as Christian Colin-Ortiz, 18, of Eloy was also taken into custody.

Marijuana, Methamphetamine, Cocaine and cash seized during the traffic stop on 8/27/2012.
Both men face charges of Possession of a Dangerous Drug, Possession of a Dangerous Drug for Sale, Transportation of a Dangerous Drug, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of Marijuana.

The PCNTF was initially alerted of Chavarria’s drug operation based on information reported by a citizen to the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office.

“Great work on behalf of the dedicated men and women assigned to the Pinal County Narcotics Task Force,” Sheriff Paul Babeu said. “We will continue targeting criminals who distribute narcotics throughout our communities and I encourage anyone with information on others who may be dealing any drugs to report them to law enforcement immediately.”
Date: 8/30/2012
]]> System Account Tue, 23 Oct 2012 15:04:01 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=600 Airplane Crash in San Manuel Kills Pilot http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=599 Body:
On Thursday, October 4, 2012 at 9:14 a.m. the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported plane crash at the Smelter Wash near the San Manuel Airport. The wash is located approximately 2 miles north of the airport.

When deputies arrived on scene they located the plane which had caught fire after crashing.

According to a witness, the plane was being flown by its pilot when the pilot reported over the radio he was having oil pressure problems and was returning to the airport. Suddenly, the plane went into a spin and crashed into a canyon known as Smelter Wash.

The seventy-seven year old pilot from Oracle was the only person on board and he was killed instantly. His name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The plane was described as a single engine Mustang II FB. The San Manuel Airport is approximately 45 miles northeast of Tucson.

Date: 10/4/2012
]]> System Account Tue, 23 Oct 2012 14:50:36 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=599 PSCO Air Unit Helps Locate Juvenile Runaways http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=598 Body:
On September 23th, 2012 at 6 p.m. the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office responded to the “Sycamore Canyon Academy Boys Ranch” in Oracle regarding three juveniles who had just runaway. Staff reported two of the boys were 17 years of age and one of the boys was 16. An area check for the juveniles was negative.

On September 24th an off road motorcycle rider was in the area of “Charleau Gap” near Saddlebrook. The motorcycle rider observed three juveniles and advised they were acting suspiciously, they also didn’t have any food or water and they asked him not to call 9-1-1.

At 1:15 p.m. Search and Rescue Deputies and the PCSO Air Unit responded. The description of the three juveniles matched that of the runaway runaways. The reporting party met deputies at the trailhead and told them the juveniles were last seen about 9 miles down the trail.

The juveniles were located by the PCSO Air Unit and Deputies on the ground. All three juveniles admitted they were the runaways we were looking for. They were provided with water as they were suffering from dehydration. The juveniles were transported off the mountain by a vehicle driven by Search and Rescue members and turned back over to “Sycamore Canyon Academy Boys Ranch” staff.

PCSO obtained our first helicopter in January of 2012 and we later added another helicopter which we obtained through the DRMO/1033 program in June of 2012. On average our Air Unit spends approximately 10 hours per week flying. Below are the statistics related to our Air Unit during just the past seven months.

Patrol Assists – 44 West Desert Task Force Assists – 31
Task Force Assists –4 SWAT Assists – 4
Other Agency Assists – 23 Stolen Vehicles Recovered – 11 ($151,000 value)
CIB Assists – 10 Apprehensions of suspects - 15
Anti Smuggling Assists – 2 Seizures of quads - 3
Traffic Unit Assists - 3 Marijuana Interdiction – 10,299 pounds
Search and Rescue Assists – 17 Scout Sites Located - 5
Pursuit Assists – 15

Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, “The Air Unit is force multiplier which makes Pinal County a safer place for our families. From the air, the crew has approximately 15 times the surveillance capability of a ground unit therefore making it invaluable in our efforts to reduce crimes.”
Date: 10/1/2012
]]> System Account Tue, 23 Oct 2012 14:43:52 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=598 Sheriff Paul Babeu Fully Cleared of Any Wrongdoing by Attorney General’s Investigation http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=597 Body:
FLORENCE, Ariz. – Today, the Arizona Attorney General’s Office has released the findings of their seven month comprehensive investigation completed at the request of Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu. The findings show without question, Sheriff Babeu was fully cleared of any allegation of wrongdoing, threat of deportation and abuse of authority.

Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, “I knew how this would end, because I knew the truth, yet I had to prove my innocence. Today, I’m fully cleared of these false attacks designed to ruin me. Some in the media worked their agenda hard to prove me guilty, regardless of the facts. In America, everyone is supposed to be innocent until proven guilty, yet I had to prove my innocence. The 400,000 citizens that I serve saw through these election year attacks and media sensationalism. The fact that I’m gay doesn’t matter. I want to be judged by the value I add to my community, by my performance and results. We won 42% more votes than my closest opponent in the republican primary. The people who know me best, know we’ve done an exceptional job as Sheriff and that these allegations were false.”

Sheriff Paul Babeu
On February 19th, 2012 Sheriff Babeu requested the Arizona Attorney General’s Office conduct a comprehensive investigation into the allegations reported by a local tabloid. While Sheriff Babeu and others knew all along the allegations were completely false he requested the independent investigation in order to show transparency and allow the truth to come out. The investigation was assigned to the Arizona Solicitor General for investigation. While the investigation was running its course, members of the media and political opponents continued to spread these false allegations against Sheriff Babeu.

What is truly disheartening is the fact that the private photos were shopped around for months to several media outlets by both Jose and Sheriff Babeu’s political opponents in an effort to bring out the fact that the Sheriff is gay. This was confirmed not only to members of our office by members of the media but also later in news articles.

On February 21st, 2012 the Tucson Sentinel reported, “The sheriffʹs political opponents have contacted reporters offering information about his sexuality on numerous occasions. It took the New Times report alleging an abuse of office by Babeu for his private life to make a news story.”

On February 25th, 2012 the L.A. Times reported, “Many Arizona journalists say they knew or suspected he was gay; an assignment editor at a local news station said that in the last year, his station had received photographs of Babeu in casual poses with men in social situations. But no outlet in a position to publish the story thought it was news.”

Nobody ran with the story because it is not against the law to be gay nor should an individual’s private life have to be played out publicly. It took the false allegation of a deportation threat in order to make this into a story. Once that allegation was made, the story was not just covered in Arizona but also nationally and internationally.

Even after the L.A. Times and Arizona Republic confirmed the word deportation was not used nor any form of it, still stories were repeatedly created in an effort to keep this alive. In fact after the Arizona Republic confirmed on March 7th, the word “deportation” was not used nor any form of it, they still used the word deportation in nearly every story they wrote about Sheriff Babeu.

On February 25th, 2012 the Los Angeles Times reported that Melissa Weiss-Riner the attorney representing Jose said, “the word “deportation” was not used.”

On March 7th, 2012 the Arizona Republic reported that Melissa Weiss-Riner, the attorney representing Jose said, “the word “deportation” nor any form of the word was ever used.”

Sheriff Babeu concluded, “The truth has won out in the end. I was attacked personally, professionally and politically with these false allegations and today I’m fully cleared. It’s no surprise these attacks came during an election year in a failed attempt to destroy me. I want the media and my political opponents to know; my name has been cleared, I shall not be silenced by your slander and I will continue to proudly do my job and serve my county, state and nation with the renewed strength and conviction. I want to thank my family, friends and all those who have stood by me. It’s easy to stand with me when I’m America’s Sheriff of the Year, yet true friendship was evident when you’ve never left me even when I was bombarded with unrelenting false attacks. This experience has allowed me to experience a more meaningful sense of friendship, love and support with a power I could have only imagined. I’m overwhelmed. Thank you!”
Date: 8/31/2012
]]> System Account Tue, 23 Oct 2012 14:32:44 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=597 Attempts to Dodge Warrants Ends in Four Arrests http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=596 Body:
FLORENE, Ariz. – Three adults and one juvenile are in custody after attempting to avoid deputies and arrest warrants by hiding on a ranch south of Casa Grande.

Faye Ventura, 40
On 8/26/2012, around 4:30 p.m., a PCSO deputy on patrol near Chui Chu Road south of Casa Grande ran a registration check on a white Chevrolet Suburban with four occupants inside.

The information came back showing the vehicle did not have required insurance coverage.

As the deputy attempted to catch up to the SUV and initiate a traffic stop, the driver pulled into a residence along Chui Chu Road and parked in the driveway.

Suspecting the driver was attempting to avoid a traffic stop, the deputy continued down the road a short distance and parked.

Minutes later, the Suburban pulled out of the residence and continued down the road toward the deputy, who observed only the driver remained in the SUV.

The deputy conducted a traffic stop and identified the driver as Faye Ventura, 40, of Sellis, AZ. Ventura admitted she did not know anyone at the residence she pulled into. She also indicated the three people inside the vehicle were her teenage son, adult daughter and her daughter’s boyfriend. Ventura advised all three fled on foot to avoid active arrest warrants.

Additional PCSO units arrived to search the property for the remaining suspects.

Marla Molina, 22 Adrian Valdez, 26
Deputies made contact with the homeowner who gave consent to search the property for the suspects. Approximately thirty minutes after conducting a search of multiple buildings on the property, the suspect were located and arrested while trying to hide.

They were identified as Adrian Valdez, 26, of Casa Grande, Marla Molina, 22, of Casa Grande and Ventura’s juvenile son.

Valdez had a warrant for his arrest from the Arizona Department of Corrections for a Parole Violation and an additional warrant out of Casa Grande Justice Court for

Assault. Moline had an active warrant out of Maricopa County for a DUI Hit and Run. The juvenile was also arrested and booked for an outstanding warrant.

Additionally, Valdez and Molina were charged with Criminal Trespassing, Burglary and Hindering Prosecution. Valdez was charged with Trespassing and Driving on a Suspended License.

“Criminals will often do anything they can to avoid law enforcement,” Sheriff Paul Babeu said. “In this case, the suspects involved an innocent family by trespassing on their property to avoid capture. They will not only face justice for previous felonies, now additional charges will put them behind bars for what will likely be an extended period of time.”
Date: 8/31/2012
]]> System Account Tue, 23 Oct 2012 14:23:09 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=596 Over 360 lbs. of Marijuana Seized from Travel Trailer http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=595 Body:
SUV pictured after several suspects fled the scene into the desert.
FLORENCE, Ariz. – Nine bails of packaged marijuana totaling over 360 lbs. of marijuana and several radios have been seized following a traffic stop along Interstate 8.

On 8/22/12, as approximately 9:28 p.m., a PCSO deputy on patrol near eastbound Interstate 8 and Russell Road observed a white Ford Explorer driving erratically while towing a travel trailer.

A traffic stop was conducted at mile post 168, but as the deputy exited his patrol vehicle, the Explorer began to flee southbound into the desert.

As the SUV came to a stop at a barrier fence, five subjects were seen running from the vehicle.

The deputy cleared the vehicle for any remaining subjects and then proceeded to check the trailer.

As the deputy opened the trailer door and stepped back, five more subjects were seen seated on top of large bundles of marijuana.

The deputy attempted to secure and close the door, but the five subjects rush out, forcing the door open and fled into the desert.

A search of the area for the ten suspects turned up negative.

Nine bundles of marijuana pictured inside the travel trailer.
After searching the trailer, nine bundles of marijuana and several camouflage backpacks containing hand‐held radios were found. All items, including the vehicle and trailer were seized by the PCSO Anti Smuggling Unit.

“Based on the evidence on scene, we believe the subjects in the trailer had recently been picked up along the interstate after smuggling narcotics into the United States,” Sheriff Paul Babeu said. “Despite being outnumbered, we will continue targeting smugglers who use this and other corridors in our county for their illegal activity.”
Date: 8/30/2012
]]> System Account Thu, 30 Aug 2012 17:02:09 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=595 ALERT: Potential Scam Warning for Pinal County Residents http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=594 Body:
FLORENCE, Ariz. – The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office would like to alert county residents of a possible phone scam involving individuals posing as law enforcement officers.

At approximately 9:00 a.m. a citizen living in Casa Grande received a phone call from a man claiming to be a deputy with the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office.

The caller informed the woman that she had failed to report for jury duty and a fine was issued.

The woman indicated she didn’t remember receiving a summons to report for jury duty.

The woman’s husband joined the conversation and asked the caller to identify himself by name and badge number.

At that point the caller hung up and did not call again. The couple contacted PCSO to report the incident and deputies traced the number provided to a fax number in Jamaica; a common practice used in other phone scams designed to extort money from unsuspecting victims.

“We work tirelessly each day to preserve the public trust given to law enforcement by the citizens we’re sworn to protect,” Sheriff Paul Babeu said. “When someone poses as a law enforcement officer in an attempt to commit a criminal act, all of us are taken back. Don’t become a victim. As a citizen, ask questions and insist the officer identifies himself/herself as required by law, just as these residents did.”

According to the Jury Commissioner and Clerk of the Superior Court, Chad Roche, “It is disheartening that there are criminals who will take every advantage to harm the public. This is particularly heinous because it impacts one of the highest calls to duty a citizen can answer and that is Jury Service. Equal access to justice and providing qualified Jurors to the Judiciary is something that we at the COSC take very seriously. If you receive a call requesting your credit card information to pay a fine for Failure to Appear, alert the proper authorities immediately.”

Norma Cruz, Associate Jury Commissioner stated that, “In Pinal County you will receive a Jury Summons by mail to appear for the Juror selection process. We select for all Superior Court trials, Grand Jury and all eight Justice Courts. You will not receive a phone call by a PCSO officer for Failure to Appear, so anyone purporting to be a PCSO Officer collecting fines on our behalf is not a legitimate call.”

To verify that you name is in the current Jury pool, you can call the Jury Department directly at 520‐866‐5311. You may learn more about serving as a Juror here: http://pinalcountyaz.gov/DEPARTMENTS/JUDICIALBRANCH/CLERKOFTHESUPERIORCOURT/Pages/JuryInformation.aspx
Date: 8/30/2012
]]> System Account Thu, 30 Aug 2012 15:57:27 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=594 Grant Funding Provides 12 More PCSO Patrol Deputies with Automatic External Defibrillators http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=593 Body:
FLORENCE, Ariz. – The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office has added twelve more Automatic External Defibrillators (AED) on the road thanks to recent grant funding.

Pictured is the Cardiac Science Power Heart G3 Plus unit now in use thanks to NRA grant funding.
The National Rifle Association (NRA) provided the necessary funding to purchase twelve Cardiac Science Power Heart G3 Plus units after PCSO submitted a formal grant application.

The new units bring the total number of AEDs in the field with patrol deputies to 24.

The 5,369 square miles that make up Pinal County is primarily comprised of unincorporated areas with PCSO deputies providing first responder service for emergency and medical calls. In 2009, Sheriff Paul Babeu required all sworn deputies to take Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) recertification training. When PCSO dispatch receives an emergency call involving a person not breathing, deputies are dispatched and sometimes arrive first on scene due to the large geographical areas; beating medical response. Because the chance of surviving sudden cardiac arrest decreases by 10% with every minute, defibrillation must be administered quickly following a collapse.

Such was the case on June 16, 2011, when Deputy Darin Erickson responded to a call of a 76‐year‐old San Tan Valley man who had stopped breathing. Deputy Erickson arrived within minutes and immediately began performing life saving measures on the victim. After using Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and one of the donated AEDs, the elderly man began to breathe. He was transported to a local hospital where he made a full recovery.

Sheriff Paul Babeu said, ʺThe NRA has been a strong partner in purchasing life saving equipment for our deputies, directly benefiting our citizens. They have also helped PCSO purchase semi‐automatic rifles for our deputies to ensure that weʹre not out gunned by the cartels smuggling dangerous drugs.”
Date: 8/23/2012
]]> System Account Thu, 23 Aug 2012 19:10:45 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=593 PCSO Looking for Coolidge Man Tied to A/C Thefts http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=592 Body:
FLORENCE, Ariz. – The Pinal County sheriff’s Office is currently searching for a Coolidge man tied to at least two thefts involving air conditioning units.

James Lewis
On August 4, 2012, a PCSO deputy responded to a home in the 12000 block of N Clemans Road, Coolidge, after the home owner reported someone had stolen her newly installed air conditioning unit.

According to the home owner, she purchased the home at public auction and was not living at the residence when the A/C unit was installed as part of a remodeling project.

The deputy could see vehicle tire impressions and two sets of shoe prints leading from the platform where the unit was removed using a wheel cart.

Later that day, the deputy witnessed a blue, Chevrolet Silverado pickup driven by James Lewis, 45, of Coolidge, commit several moving violations. Knowing Mr. Lewis’ license had been suspended from a previous contact earlier in the year, the deputy initiated a traffic stop.

The deputy noticed an air condition condenser in the back of Lewis’ truck, along with various cans of Freon. Lewis told the deputy he works on air conditioning units for side money and gave the name of a local woman who recently hired him for work.

Location of the A/C theft reported on Aug. 4th, 2012
The deputy advised Lewis of the thefts to which Lewis denied any knowledge or involvement.

Lewis was arrested for driving on a suspended license and the vehicle, which belonged to his mother, was towed.

On August 5, 2012, the deputy made contact with the woman Lewis gave as the person who recently hired him for A/C work.

Stolen A/C unit pictured after it was installed at the rental property.
The woman identified Lewis as the man who she hired and paid $1,150 to install an A/C unit on Aug. 2nd at a rental property she owns.

An examination of the serial number on the A/C condenser at the rental property matched the unit reported stolen the previous day.

The stolen A/C unit was recovered and returned to the victim. Attempts to locate James Lewis for questioning regarding the theft have been unsuccessful.

Due to the circumstances surrounding the theft, a search warrant for the truck was obtained and executed on Aug. 12th, while the vehicle was still impounded. The search identified the condenser unit found in the back of the vehicle at the time of the traffic stop was also reported stolen on August 5th.

Truck Lewis was driving pictured with the stolen condenser unit during the traffic stop on August 4th.
Anyone with information on where Lewis may be, please call the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office at (520) 866-5111.

Sheriff Paul Babeu said, “This case is a prime example of the great work our patrol deputies do each day. The thorough investigation completed by the deputy has identified at least two victims and there likely may be more. I encourage anyone who recently hired Mr. Lewis for A/C work, or may know where he is, to come forward as soon as possible.”
Date: 8/23/2012
]]> System Account Thu, 23 Aug 2012 18:44:59 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=592 Sheriff Babeu Looking for Volunteers to Join ‘Citizens on Patrol’ Program http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=591 Body:
FLORENCE, Ariz. – Do you have a lot of pride in your neighborhood? Have you ever wanted to take extra steps to help keep your family and friends safe, but weren’t sure how? The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office may have exactly what you’re looking for!

Sheriff Babeu pictured speaking at a COP meeting.
Citizens on Patrol (C.O.P.) is an organization of dedicated citizens working within the community with the primary purpose of assisting their neighborhood in crime prevention by acting as additional “eyes and ears” for the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office. Volunteers actively patrol neighborhoods and businesses, in pairs, to create a visible presence to deter crime, observe, record and report suspicious activity. Volunteers also participate in community education and awareness activities; some assist with public speaking, fund raising and program promotion.

C.O.P. patrols in Arizona City and surrounding areas, areas around the main campus of Central Arizona College, Unincorporated Apache Junction, Gold Canyon, Entrada del Oro and Queen Valley.

If you want to make a difference in one of these communities, Sheriff Paul Babeu encourages you to submit an application soon so it can be processed in time for upcoming training classes. Applicants must pass a background check, be 21 years of age and posses a valid Arizona Driver’s License.

COP volunteers pictured at a meeting in Gold Canyon.
“Our Citizens on Patrol do outstanding work assisting our deputies,” Sheriff Babeu said. “There‘s no doubt COP efforts have prevented countless crimes from being committed. This is community policing at best and who better to keep additional eyes and ears on our neighborhoods and business than the people who call them home.”

For more information go the C.O.P. website at www.pinalcop.com or call the Program Director, Howard Rinehart at 520-866-6120.
Date: 8/8/2012
]]> System Account Wed, 08 Aug 2012 19:06:00 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=591 Pursuit Ends in Marijuana Seizure http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=590 Body:
Suspect vehicle pictured with (6) bundles of marijuana in the passenger area. Vehicle and drugs were seized by the Pinal County Narcotics Task force.
MARICOPA, Ariz. – Over 100 lbs. of marijuana have been seized and one illegal immigrant faces deportation following a vehicle pursuit near Maricopa.

On 7/29/2012 at approximately 1:45 p.m., a PCSO patrol deputy in the area of highway 347 at mile post 172 observed a red 2001 Chevrolet pickup swerving while heading northbound in front of him.

The deputy initiated a traffic stop, and the driver of the pickup pulled to the shoulder.

As the deputy attempted to make contact with the driver, the vehicle fled the scene at a high rate of speed.

During the vehicle pursuit, the suspect turned off Highway 347 onto West Bowlin Road and then north to N Alterra Parkway where it came to an abrupt stop.

The deputy witnessed four to five Hispanic males exit the vehicle and they fled on foot. Additional PCSO units with assistance from the Maricopa Police Department searched the area from suspects.

A search of the vehicle turned up (6) bundles of marijuana weighing 136 lbs.

One male subject was located hiding in the desert. The man was identified as an illegal immigrant from Mexico and was transported to Casa Grande Medical Center for extreme dehydration. The suspect was then turned over to United States Border Patrol for processing. The other subjects were not located.

Sheriff Paul Babeu said, “Fortunately no one was hurt after the suspects decided to run from our deputy, putting lives of other motorists in danger. Their vehicle will now be seized and auctioned off raising additional funds to combat drug runners in Pinal County.”
Date: 8/8/2012
]]> System Account Wed, 08 Aug 2012 15:44:33 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=590 Separate Pursuits End with Thirteen Arrested, Marijuana Seized http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=589 Body:
FLORENCE, Ariz. – Two vehicle pursuits in as many days involving human and drug smuggling have ended in over a dozen arrests and hundreds of pounds of marijuana seized.
 
Five Arrested, 518 lbs. of Marijuana Seized
 
On 7/23/2012, just before 7:00 a.m., a PCSO deputy on patrol near the intersection of Toltec and Bataglia Roads south of Stanfiled witnessed a white Ford Expedition make an unsafe u‐turn.
 
The deputy initiated a traffic stop, but the SUV sped away and ran through a stop sign southbound on Toltec Road.
 
As the driver of the SUV approached Curtis Road at a high rate of speed, the vehicle left the roadway and became stuck in mud. The deputy witnessed (5) subjects flee from the vehicle on foot.
 
The deputy cleared the vehicle as additional units responded and discovered bundles of packaged marijuana totaling 518 lbs. PCSO units located three subjects a half mile from the vehicle, while United States Border Patrol Agents apprehended the remaining two near the Santa Cruz River.
 
The subjects were identified as:
 
Sergio S. Orozco, 25 (Driver)
Jose Ramon Medina‐Lopez, 23
Jorge Alberto Matute‐ Vanegas, 21
Josel Rafael Vanegas‐ Mencia, 23
Ivis Misael Chapa‐ Duvon, 25
 
Date: 7/26/2012
]]> System Account Thu, 26 Jul 2012 21:08:14 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=589 Sheriff Presents Donation to "Against Abuse," Receives Thank You http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=588 Body:
Sheriff Paul Babeu presented a $5,000 dollar donation to Against Abuse, Inc. on behalf of the Pinal County Sheriff's Office and received the following warm thank you letter.
 
 
Against Abuse, Inc. (AAI) is a nonprofit organization serving Pinal County for over 30 years. AAI provides much needed support to victims of domestic violence and child abuse. To learn more or make a donation yourself, go to www.against-abuse.org.
Date: 7/26/2012
]]> System Account Thu, 26 Jul 2012 21:00:18 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=588 PCSO Implements New MORIS™ Multi-Modal Biometric Identification System on SmartPhone Units for Deputies http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=587 Body:

FLORENCE, Ariz. – The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office to pleased to announce it is expanding the use of mobile, multi-modal (iris, fingerprint and facial) biometric identification technology to be used by deputies beginning this week.

Patrol deputies, detectives, and SWAT members will be able to verify the identity, criminal background, and risk information of suspects with a hand held, wireless device on a Smartphone. Sworn deputies will have iris, fingerprint, and facial recognition identification technology available to them virtually anywhere.

If there is a question over an individual’s identity (such as a person with no driver’s license or other identification, or a person with conflicting identification) and the person is stopped for probable cause, the iris ID will make for positive identification within seconds (along with a time, date, and GPS stamp). This is particularly relevant in cases of undocumented aliens.

Using state funding provided by the state legislature and Gov. Jan Brewer, PCSO has been able to purchase weapons, a helicopter, radios and seventy-five MORIS™ units at a cost of $203,572.

Currently, the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office has nearly 10,000 individual’s information recorded using iris biometric technology after processing those subjects as they’ve been booked into the PCSO Adult Detention Center. The system was implemented in 2010 to verify an inmate’s identity before he/she is booked and then released from custody.

The MORIS™ Unit pictured PCSO patrol deputies will begin using following training.

Sheriff Paul Babeu said, ʺWe currently use the Iris technology to positive ID all inmates at booking and upon release, to track sex offenders and now in patrol to identify any suspects and those arrested for crimes. Iʹm proud that we are the first Sheriffʹs Office or Police agency in America to use this technology in patrol and it will allow us to improve safety for Pinal families. It will be used with consent, or when we have lawful probable cause for criminal offenses. This technology is futuristic for law enforcement, since a deputy on a rural road can now verify a person’s identity even if they provide false name, date of birth or even a fake ID. The eyes donʹt lie.ʺ

Sean G. Mullin, president of BI2 Technologies said, ʺThe Pinal County Sheriff’s Office is nationally recognized for its unwavering commitment to protecting its citizens. We are honored to be part of Sheriff Paul Babeu’s on-going efforts to effectively use every technological innovation to help fight crime. With a reported seventeen (17%) to thirty (30%) of those captured in the Cartel and Smuggling Corridor already having criminal records in the U.S., we are also honored that the Pinal County Sheriffʹs Office is implementing our Mobile Offender Recognition and Information System (MORIS™) to assist in this effort.”

Date: 7/18/2012
]]> System Account Wed, 18 Jul 2012 22:19:40 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=587 PCSO Narcotics Task Force Dismantles Methamphetamine & Cocaine Distribution Ring http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=586 Body:
FLORENCE, Ariz. – Narcotics detectives are calling it ‘Operation Big Rig,’ a month long investigation that targeted suspects dealing cocaine and methamphetamine using truck washes along Interstate 10 between Eloy and Toltec; and ended with 15 people arrested.

Flash Truck Polishing pictured during PCNTF Operation Big Rig.
The case began after detectives with the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Task Force received a tip dealers were selling substantial amounts of both drugs to truck drivers and other buyers.

Using an undercover big rig, detectives posed as buyers at several stops including Flash Truck Polishing located at 3200 N Chesley Street in Toltec and Show Time Truck Polishing located at 526 S Sunshine Blvd. in Eloy.

After building the case and identifying suspects in the drug ring during the month of June, detectives with the PCNTF and Eloy Police Department served four search warrants; one at Flash Truck Polishing, the others at three residential homes in Eloy and Toltec.

Cash seized inside one of the suspect’s residence.
Nine people were arrested at the truck wash, including the owners, Hector Soto-Quintero and Rafael Rios. Four of those arrested, as well as Soto-Quintero, were in the US illegally from Mexico.

A total of 24.8 g of Methamphetamine and 9.8 g of Cocaine were seized during the investigation, along with eight vehicles, one rifle and $26,000 cash.

Eight of the 15 arrested have been identified; four were turned over to US Border Patrol for processing, three others were arrested during searches for other warrants.

Kelly Bahme, 41, Eloy - Owner of Show Time Truck Polishing
Manuel Chacon, 40, Eloy
Sammie Johnson, 23, Arizona City
Rafael Rios, 51, Toltec - Co-Owner of Flash Truck Polishing
Ricardo Sodari, 37, Arizona City
Hector Soto-Quintero, 44, Eloy - Co-Owner of Flash Truck Polishing
Raquel Valenzuela, 34, Arizona City
Ignacio Velasquez, 27, Eloy
Suspects are facing the following charges: Possession of Dangerous Drug, Possession of a Dangerous Drug for Sale, Transportation of Dangerous Drug, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

“This case is a prime example of why this task force was formed,” Sheriff Paul Babeu said. “Narcotics detectives operate in the shadows, building cases that ultimately lead to putting dangerous criminals and drug pushers like those identified in Operation Big Rig behind bars.”

Date: 7/10/2012
]]> System Account Tue, 10 Jul 2012 14:32:53 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=586 PCSO Matches Copper Basin YMCA Donations for Strong Kids with $10,000 Check http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=585 Body:
FLORENCE, Ariz. – Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu presented the Copper Basin YMCA with a $10,000 check for a new campaign geared towards supporting area youth.

The strong Kids Campaign started back in January 2012 and through the help of over 70 volunteers, the Copper Basin Family YMCA has been raising the dollars needed to better the San Tan Valley community.

Sheriff Babeu pictured presenting a check for $10,000 to Mackuse surrounded by youth members of the Copper Basin YMCA.
After receiving a letter from Lucy Mackuse, Operations Director with the Copper Basin YMCA, asking PCSO to get involved, Sheriff Babeu decided to match the YMCA’s fundraising efforts for the program up to $10,000 using seized criminal money under the RICO statue.

According to Mackuse, the Copper Basin Family YMCA has been reaching out to the community in hopes of raising $68,000 to cover the subsidies they provide for families, adults and seniors to participate in programs that they could not afford otherwise.

On July 2, 2012, Sheriff Babeu presented a check for $10,000 to Mackuse.

“Donations like the one we just received from Sheriff Babeu and the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office enables us to provide assistance and not turn anyone away due to inability to pay.” Mackuse said. “Through Sheriff’s Babeu’s matching challenge, we were able to raise an additional $8,408.00 that we would not have had the opportunity to do so without his support!”

Sheriff Babeu said, “The YMCA fills a significant need for programs, activities and recreation in San Tan Valley directed towards youth and our families. I’m pleased to use money derived from criminal actions to support such healthy and positive programming for our San Tan Valley youth and families.”
Date: 7/9/2012
]]> System Account Mon, 09 Jul 2012 20:52:36 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=585 Two Arrested After Traffic Stop Turns Up $47,000 in Suspected Drug Money http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=584 Body:
Shanice Hempstead Tiffany Cleveland
FLORENCE, Ariz. – Two women were arrested on the 4th of July after a traffic stop turned up over $47,000 in cash, hundreds of dollars of counterfeit money, marijuana and other drug paraphernalia.

On 7/4/2012 at approximately 1:15 a.m., a Pinal County Sheriff’s Office deputy patrolling eastbound on Interstate 10, south of Casa Grande, witnessed a white Mazda sedan making several illegal lane changes and conducted a traffic stop.

The deputy detected a strong odor of burnt marijuana emitting from the vehicle after the passenger, identified as Tiffiany Cleveland, 29 of Las Vegas, NV rolled down her window. The deputy made contact with the driver, Shanice Hempstead, 30 of Fontana, CA and asked for her license. A registration check showed Hempstead was driving on a suspended license. When asked separately where they were coming from and going, the women gave conflicting stories. Hempstead provided the deputy with a physician's statement of recommendation for medical marijuana issued out of California, but said there was no more marijuana in the vehicle. 

Black bag pictured along with over $47,000 in cash seized during the July 4th traffic stop.
A search of the vehicle turned up several pipes with residue consistent with methamphetamine, as well as additional marijuana. A black purse containing $47,670 in currency that had been shrink‐wrapped and rubber banded together was also found. Additionally, a total of $460 in counterfeit $20 bills was found between both women’s purses.

After she was confronted with the items found in her car, Hempstead admitted she was hired to transport a bundle of what she believed was drug money from Las Vegas, NV to southern Arizona.

Cleveland denied knowing anything about the money.

Hempstead was charged with Money Laundering, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Driving on a Suspended License.

Cleveland was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. More charges are pending.

“Not only do we see massive amount of drugs moving north through our county, a steady flow of cash continues heading south back into the hands of the suppliers,” Sheriff Paul Babeu said. “These women will be held accountable for their part in keeping the drug trade going through our county.”
Date: 7/9/2012
]]> System Account Mon, 09 Jul 2012 20:40:55 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=584 Vekol Valley Homicide Investigation http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=583 Body:
FLORENCE, Ariz. – On Saturday, June 2nd, 2012 at 4:30 a.m. a U.S. Border Patrol Agent working in conjunction with the “West Desert Task Force”, located a Ford SUV along Interstate-8 in the Vekol Valley area. The Vekol Valley area is known as a major drug and human smuggling corridor. As the agent turned his vehicle around to contact the occupants of the vehicle it fled. The vehicle was not located again until approximately 8:30 a.m.

U.S. Border Patrol tracked the vehicle and determined it left the roadway northbound near milepost 147. Vehicle tracks indicated it was driven a northeasterly direction through the desert for several miles. When U.S. Border Patrol found the vehicle at 8:30 a.m., the vehicle had been badly torched; the fire was out but the vehicle was still smoldering. Inside of the vehicle were five severely charred human remains. Four of the human remains were in the rear storage compartment of the vehicle and one was in the second row passenger seat.

The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office Homicide Unit was called to the scene to investigate. The area had several shoe prints and also “sleepy feet” (shoes made of carpet remnants or burlap by smugglers to hide their footprints). It also appeared that an accelerant was used when the vehicle was torched as it and its contents were so badly burned.

The crime scene was processed and the five human remains were taken to the Pima County Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsies. The vehicle was so badly torched; detectives at the scene were not able to locate any information to determine who the registered owner was. A massive tarp was wrapped around the vehicle to preserve evidence and it was towed to the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office so detectives could process it.

On Saturday afternoon, the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office received a phone call from an individual who asked to remain anonymous. The individual reported that he feared his brother-in-law was among the dead. The brother-in-law had told him the night before that he was “going to Vekol Valley to make money.” The brother-in-law had left to Vekol Valley with four other acquaintances. Homicide detectives asked the reporting party if his brother-in-law was involved in drug or human smuggling and he said he didn’t get involved in his business but he “knows its illegal.” The reporting party said that when he tries to call his brother-in-law or his friends on their cell phones they go straight to voicemail.

On Sunday, a homicide detective again spoke with the reporting party who told us he still has been not able to get in touch with his brother-in-law or his acquaintances. The five men were last seen driving in a Ford SUV. Homicide detectives are also not able to locate the brother-in-law either. PCSO knows the names of the family members involved including those who are missing, but we’ve been asked to withhold as the family fears possible retaliation from the drug cartel.

On Monday, an autopsy was conducted on the five human remains by the Pima County Medical Examiner’s Office. Gregory Hess, the chief medical examiner of the Pima Medical Examiner’s Office, said the bodies were badly burned and that it may be difficult to determine whether they were killed before the vehicle was set afire or died in the fire. Hess added that the victims’ identities can only be determined by dental records and at this point they still have not determined if they are males or females.

According to the Boston Herald and other news entities, “A Border Patrol official, speaking on condition of anonymity because the investigation is still under way, said the driver could have fled on foot, driven off in a vehicle stashed nearby or phoned someone to pick him up. My guess, he’s an illegal, maybe a Zetas cartel member and he was doing a hit for the Zetas.”

http://bostonherald.com/news/national/southwest/view/20120605us_officials_say_5_bodies_found_in_arizona_vehicle_may_have_been_cartel_hostages

It was also theorized by Federal law enforcement officials in this same article that these individuals were hostages killed by a Mexican drug cartel. The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office is not able to confirm this information as our investigation is still ongoing.

On Monday afternoon, the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office was notified by the Tempe Police Department of a missing persons case they are working. The Tempe Police Department advised us that they had responded to a residence and the husband, wife and three children were all missing. All five individuals were confirmed missing along with their full size Ford SUV. Any additional requests for information regarding the details of this investigation will need to be directed to the Tempe Police Department. .

The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office is still investigating the homicide case and is looking at both of these other cases to see if either is linked to it. We will continue to work with the Pima County Medical Examiner’s Office and the Tempe Police Department with this investigation.

If anyone has information regarding this case they are asked to contact the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office at 520-866-5111.
 
 
Date: 6/6/2012
]]> System Account Wed, 06 Jun 2012 14:49:02 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=583 Sheriff Paul Babeu talked to Florence High School Seniors http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=582 Body:
Sheriff Paul Babeu talked to Florence High School Seniors about the upcoming graduation. Sheriff Babeu presented the class with $5,500 check for a lock-in event to provide a safe place for students to celebrate after commencement. The money comes from cash and assets seized from drug dealers under the RICO statue. Sheriff Babeu reminded the class that he believes in them and encouraged students to set goals, persevere and follow their hearts to become successful.

Three years ago a Florence High senior died after a single vehicle car accident on graduation night. Several students were drinking and decided to drive. This event is to help prevent a similar tragedy.
Date: 5/2/2012
]]> System Account Wed, 02 May 2012 15:19:18 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=582 AZDOC Officer Arrested On Child Pornography Charges http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=581 Body:
FLORENCE, Ariz. – An officer with the Arizona Department of Corrections has been arrested and charged after multiple images of child pornography were discovered on his personal computer.

Jeffrey Williams, 46
On 4/12/2012, Members of the Arizona Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force with the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office and the Casa Grande Police Department responded to a computer repair shop in Casa Grande after a technician reported a computer that had been brought in by a customer for repair, identified as Jeffrey Williams, 46, of Casa Grande, contained images of children being sexually abused.

Detectives with CGPD seized the computer and obtained a search warrant to have the hard drive examined. Investigators with the PCSO Computer Forensic Lab were able to pull several images including videos of children being sexually abused.

Based on the materials found, an arrest warrant for Williams was issued as well as search warrant for his residence.

Agents with the US Marshall’s Office Fugitive Apprehension Team assisted in arresting Williams at the Arizona DOC prison in Florence where Williams works as a corrections officer.

PCSO and CGPD executed the search warrant of Williams’ residence and seized several more computers and digital media.

During interviews with investigators, Williams admitted to downloading and uploading child pornography on his home computers using Yahoo.

Williams was booked into the PCSO Adult Detention Center on ten counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor where he is being held with no bond.

The investigation and examination of Williams’ personal computers is ongoing.

Please go to www.azicac.org to learn more about what Arizona is doing to protect our children.
Date: 4/26/2012
]]> System Account Thu, 26 Apr 2012 21:20:52 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=581 Child, AK‐47 Left Behind Following Vehicle Pursuit http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=580 Body:
MARICOPA, Ariz. – An illegal immigrant from Mexico is in PCSO custody following a vehicle pursuit Monday evening.

On 4/23/2012, at approximately 8:30 p.m., a Pinal County Sheriff Office deputy on patrol heading eastbound near Meadow View and Green Road’s observed a white, 2003 Ford F-150 pickup traveling westbound at a high rate of speed.

Carlos Munoz-Parra
The deputy turned around to conduct a traffic stop at Osa and Javelina Roads. After the deputy activated his emergency lights, the truck accelerated away from the deputy at a high rate of speed.

After a vehicle pursuit that covered approximately four miles, the driver pulled to a stop along Dune Shadow Road and ran from the vehicle into the desert.

The deputy approached the truck to secure the vehicle and notice a loaded AK-47 rifle had been discarded near the passenger door. The deputy also identified a female passenger kneeling beside the truck, covering a small 4 year old child.

The 26 year old passenger identified herself as the child’s mother, and both were secured and placed into the deputy’s vehicle. (It should be noted both are U.S. citizens.)

TThe passenger identified the driver of the truck as Carlos Munoz-Parra, 33, of Sinaloa, Mexico. A search involving PCSO deputies, United States Border Patrol agents, and rangers with the Bureau of Land Management was conducted. Munoz-Parra was apprehended minutes later by a BLM Ranger K-9 Unit hiding in the desert. When asked why he didn’t stop, Munoz-Parra indicated he had been drinking and was an illegal immigrant.

The passenger informed deputies Munoz-Parra was giving her a ride to a friend’s house at the time of the pursuit. She also informed deputies she told Munoz-Parra to stop so she and her son could get out.

A search of the vehicle turned up a plastic bag containing marijuana, along with drug paraphernalia used for smoking methamphetamine. Munoz-Parra admitted the drugs and rifle were his and he was attempting to sell the AK-47.

Identity processing conducted by USBP showed Munoz-Parra has a history of unlawful entry into the United States and has been involved in numerous human smuggling cases.

ShSheriff Paul Babeu stated, “Yet another prime example of why we need to secure our southern border. Those who sight lower apprehensions as a way to justify proper border security fail to acknowledge people like Munoz-Parra who continue to come and go as he pleases while breaking our laws and putting citizens of Pinal County at risk. The mother and child who were taken along for the ride are lucky to be alive.”
Date: 4/26/2012
]]> System Account Thu, 26 Apr 2012 21:06:49 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=580 PCSO Air Unit Locates Stolen Truck, Over 1,700 lbs. of Narcotics http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=579 Body:
VEKOL VALLEY, Ariz. – Over 1,700 lbs. of marijuana has been seized and a stolen truck has been recovered thanks to efforts of the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office Air Unit.

Stolen truck pictured after it was moved from the brush.
On 3-28-2012, at approximately 3:00 p.m., agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations, who were actively tracking multiple drug loads heading north from the Tohono O’odham reservation into Pinal County, requested air support from PCSO.

The PCSO helicopter launched from Casa Grande municipal airport and responded to the area of Vekol Valley.

Two large dust trails consistent with vehicle traffic could be seen six miles south of Interstate 8 near Freeman Road.

The crew followed one of the trails heading northbound and turned over information to Border Patrol regarding the second dust trail.

During an air search of the area, the men identified a pickup truck, hidden in thick brush and partially covered by a green tarp. Two sets of human tracks could be seen leading away from the vehicle.

After clearing the area of possible threats, the crew landed the helicopter and tactfully approached the vehicle. A registration check of the truck showed it was stolen. Inside the vehicle and camper shell deputies found 80 bundles of marijuana; totaling 1,708 lbs.

Bundles of marijuana pictured packed into the back of the stolen pickup. Also shown is a spare tire and supplies used to travel through the desert.
The vehicle also contained food and supplies that would allow occupants to live and travel through the desert.

The stolen truck was turned over to the State Auto Theft Task Force. The seized drugs and evidence inside the vehicle were turned over to HSI.

Since May 2011, the PCSO air unit has assisted in 19 Search & Rescue missions, 30 drug smuggling assists and 8 vehicle pursuits.

“Yet another prime example why air support is a necessity here in Pinal County. We’re always happy to assist agencies who share our mission to fight the massive amounts of drugs and people who are being smuggled through our county,” Sheriff Paul Babeu said.
Date: 4/18/2012
]]> System Account Wed, 18 Apr 2012 21:47:42 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=579 After 27 Years of Dedicated Service, All Good Things Must Come to an End http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=578 Body:
FLORENCE, Ariz. – When Sylvia Shafer joined the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office as a patrol deputy in May of 1980, there were almost as many horses and cattle in Pinal County as there were people.

“It was vast, wide open spaces,” Shafer recalled, “Very agriculture.”

After working with PCSO for over a year, a job for a police officer opened up in a nearby city which she applied for and was accepted, but Shafer quickly learned bigger didn’t mean better.

“I missed the people, the rural lifestyle,” Shafer said.

So, in September of 1986, she returned to PCSO as a patrol deputy until she received her first promotion. In January of 1990, Shafer joined the investigations unit as a detective working property and persons crimes.

In 1992, Shafer arguably made her lasting mark at PCSO by being the first female deputy to join the Homicide unit. Two years later, as the county grew, Shafer moved into the newly formed Crimes Against Children unit; ensuring youth in the county received equal protection and justice.

Chief Deputy Steve Henry and Sheriff Paul Babeu congratulating Cpl. Shafer on her last day at PCSO.
“I really enjoyed working in that beat. I felt that’s where I made the biggest difference,” Shafer said.

She was also very good at it. In 1996, Shafer was promoted to Corporal, working as a supervisor in the property crimes unit.

Most who work in law enforcement begin their careers planning to put in 20 years of service, but Shafer never had a number in mind.

“I always thought they’d have to wheel me out of here in a wheelchair,” Shafer said with a smile.

But health reasons reminded her it was time to retire.

She’s worked for five different Sheriff’s and each one made improvements to the office, she said.

“Sheriff Babeu has made the most significant changes to PCSO,” Shafer claimed.

Pinal County has changed dramatically over the past 27 years, but the one thing that hasn’t is also the part she’ll miss the most.

“The people, I’m going to miss the people - especially my colleagues,” Shafer added.

“Corporal Shafer has been a valued member of the PCSO family for almost three decades. It’s not easy to replace somebody like that,” Chief Deputy Steve Henry said, “I wish her nothing but the best.”

“You can judge a person’s career by looking at how they progress. During her time at PCSO, Corporal Shafer has worked her way up to the top by consistently challenging herself to reach new heights,” Sheriff Paul Babeu said, “PCSO is a better place to work and Pinal County is a safer place to live thanks to her time and commitment. We’ll greatly miss her.”
Date: 4/4/2012
]]> System Account Wed, 04 Apr 2012 14:44:13 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=578 Queen Creek Man’s Request to Forge Legal Documents Leads to Arrest Outside County Courthouse http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=577 Body:
David Domanski
FLORENCE, Ariz. – A San Tan Valley man has been arrested after requesting a court clerk to lie and forge legal documents in exchange for money.

On 3-21-2012, David Domanski, 40, of Queen Creek approached a clerk of the Pinal County Superior Court and requested a series of documents.

Later that same day Domanski called the same clerk via telephone and asked if she would, “Straight forward lie for $500?” to which the clerk replied, “No”. Domanski asked her to think about the offer because he was serious. The clerk requested Domanski send an email to her county email account detailing what he wanted her to do.

Within an hour Domanski sent the clerk an email to her county account asking her to lie about a felony Domanski would claim to family in North Carolina he committed. Domanski provided the clerk with a detailed list of charges and cash amount needed to avoid jail. He also wanted the clerk to lie to family members over the telephone and verify the information.

The clerk immediately alerted co-workers, who brought the incident to the attention of PCSO. The clerk agreed to work with PCSO detectives in setting up a sting operation on Domanski. Several emails were sent between the clerk and Domanski in which she agreed to help. On 3-22-2012, Domanski arrived at the Pinal County courthouse to collect the information he requested. He gave the clerk $20 cash and promised to pay her several hundred dollars more after his family sent money to cover the alleged legal fees.

The entire exchange was captured with undercover surveillance equipment as PCSO personal surrounded the subject. After the transaction was made, Domanski was arrested as he walked to his vehicle. Following his arrest, Domanski admitted to investigators his involvement in the scheme and indicated he fell on hard times and simply needed money. 

Domanski pictured as he’s being led away by PCSO detectives.
Domanski has been charged with Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices, Tampering with a Public Record, and Bribery.

Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, “A job well done by PCSO detectives and the brave county court clerk who stood up and did the right thing. In the end, Mr. Domanski got what he wanted: legal documents showing he was in trouble; only this time they are real.”
Date: 4/2/2012
]]> System Account Mon, 02 Apr 2012 15:25:09 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=577 Suspect Who Displayed Handgun on School Campus Tied to Vehicle Burglary http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=576 Body:
SAN TAN VALLEY, Ariz. – A suspect arrested after bringing a gun onto a high school campus Wednesday afternoon has been tied to a vehicle burglary earlier that morning.

On 3-14-2012, just before 3:00 p.m., PCSO deputies responded to Poston Butte High School after students and a staff member reported someone had driven on campus and displayed a handgun while inside a vehicle.

Witness informed deputies a 1969 Chevrolet Monte Carlo with three suspects inside had followed a student on campus following an altercation that occurred at a Cirlce K at Bella Vista and Hunt highway prior to the incident on campus. A student who witnessed the incident outside the convenience store stated one suspect, later identified as Kody Smith, 18, of San Tan Valley had pointed a handgun at the head of a second student; Smith was the driver of the Monte Carlo and brandished the weapon near a baseball field before driving away.

Kody Smith, 18
Within minutes, deputies tracked down Smith’s vehicle to a Denny’s parking lot at Gary Road and Hunt Hwy where a witness stated Smith threw the weapon into bushes prior to PCSO arriving on scene.

A search of the area turned up a 9mm handgun. A search of Smith’s pockets turned up several credit cards and cash that had been reported stolen from a vehicle outside a convenience store earlier that morning.

The citizen who reported the vehicle theft stated someone had used the credit cards to purchase several hundred dollars worth of merchandise at two separate Wal Mart stores that same day.

Surveillance video pulled from the locations showed Smith making the purchases using the stolen credit cards.

During an interview with PCSO, Smith admitted to stealing the victim’s wallet from a QT convenience store around 2:30 a.m. that same morning and using the credit cars along with several hundred dollars in cash to make multiple purchases.

The two other individuals with Smith cooperated with detectives and indicated they were unaware Smith had a weapon, nor did they know he was in possession of stolen property.

Smith has been charged with Burglary, Identity Theft and Fraud Use of a Credit Card. Additional charges related to the assault with the handgun are expected as investigators wrap-up interviews with witness.

Sheriff Babeu stated, "Thanks to the immediate response and investigative work of our deputies, Kody Smith has been arrested. He's now where he belongs, behind bars awaiting prosecution. I'm grateful no innocent people were hurt during Smith's disregard for the law or safety of others."
Date: 3/19/2012
]]> System Account Mon, 19 Mar 2012 17:02:35 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=576 Sheriff Babeu Presents Balanced Budget with Surplus Funds http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=575 Body:
FLORENCE, Ariz. – Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu has presented the Board of Supervisors a budget update and projected a fully balanced budget, which even shows a revenue surplus.

Sheriff Babeu outlined budget issues of $1.6 million for the total Sheriff’s budget of $47,001,159 and plans to use available PCSO funds for the increased fuel costs, jail overtime and paid administrative leave. Pinal County Manager Fritz Behring, who is appointed by the Board of Supervisors, has agreed the County is responsible to pay the unfunded union contract, employee related expenses/benefits and underestimated retirement contributions. The Board of Supervisors signed a contract with the labor union in the Sheriff’s Office in August of 2011, two months after the Sheriff’s budget was adopted by the board.

At the Board of Supervisors meeting yesterday, while the County Manager and County Budget Director recommend to the Board of Supervisors that the agreement be funded, Chairman Rios refused to take action on the matter and instead put off any decision. Supervisor Bryan Martyn commended Sheriff Babeu and our office for getting to the bottom of this issue and working so closely with county staff to reach a resolution.

“You’ve clearly demonstrated your ability to understand and manage your budget.” Supervisor Martyn responded following the Sheriff’s presentation. “I’m comfortable with where we’re at right now, with the numbers you’ve presented and the fact you’ve worked with the County Manager.”

Sheriff Babeu pictured as he presents a budget update to the Board of Supervisors on Wednesday.
This is the fist year the county changed budget procedures for all county departments and elected county offices, where budget costs and funding was transferred for employee related expenses such as FICA, retirement contributions, over time and workers compensation. The estimates were significantly off and funds shorted in the Sheriff’s Office. The county agreed to pay for the shortages in retirement contributions, employee related expenses and over $850,000 for workers compensation that was not properly funded in the Sheriff’s budget.

On January 18th, 2012 the county budget office provided information at the Pinal County Board of Supervisors meeting that our office had a projected $3.2 million budget shortfall.

“Our budget is fully balanced and, in fact, we shall have a surplus of monies available. This board signed a contract after my budget was fixed and now they want me to pay for it, even after fuel prices have nearly doubled and I've already assumed those costs. We run a highly disciplined operation, evidenced in improved emergency response times, obtaining national accreditation for our jail, improved training and modern equipment for our staff. This is all done to provide top-shelf law enforcement to Pinal families and that will not be compromised.” Sheriff Babeu stated. “We have no control over the rising fuel costs, which are near $4 a gallon. My Deputies still have to patrol and respond to emergencies in a county larger than three US states. We have prisoners to transport all over the state. Public safety is the core function of government and I’m using other sheriff’s office funds to pay for these fuel costs.”
Date: 3/19/2012
]]> System Account Mon, 19 Mar 2012 16:22:49 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=575 AJ Man Arrested on Drug Charges Following Traffic Stop http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=574 Body:
APACHE JUNCTION, Ariz. – An early morning traffic stop resulted in the arrest of the driver after methamphetamine was discovered inside the vehicle.

Charles Young, 39
On 3-1-2012, just before 3:00 a.m., a PCSO deputy on patrol in the area of Meridian Road and Superstition Blvd. observed a white, 1998 BMW coupe traveling southbound in front of his patrol car.

Using the vehicle’s license plate, the deputy ran a vehicle check which came back showing a cancelled insurance policy.

The deputy initiated a traffic stop and the driver, later identified as Charles Young, 39, of Apache Junction, complied.

The deputy made contact with Young and a male passenger who Young claimed he was giving a ride to Mesa. During the conversation, the deputy noticed Young seemed nervous and claimed he was unaware his insurance policy was not valid.

A check on the license Young provided showed it was also not valid, and he was arrested for driving with a suspended license.

A search of Young turned up a large sum of cash.

A search of Young’s vehicle turned up a black case, wedged between the driver’s seat and a center console. Inside the bag, the deputy discovered a glass smoking pipe containing a burnt, white residue and a plastic bag with 31 grams (1.1 oz) of crystallized methamphetamine.

Young told the deputy he knew nothing of the black case or its contents. The male passenger also claimed he did not know drugs were in the vehicle.

The passenger was released from the scene, while Young was additionally charged with possession of a dangerous drug, possession of a dangerous drug for sale and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Date: 3/12/2012
]]> System Account Mon, 12 Mar 2012 17:35:04 GMT http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/Sheriff/Lists/News/DispForm.aspx?ID=574