News - Pinal County Attorney's Office

Free Shred Event in Maricopa this Saturday

April 17, 2024/in News, Uncategorized

(MARICOPA, AZ) - A free community shred event and food drive is coming to Maricopa this Saturday, courtesy of the Pinal County Attorney's Office and the City of Maricopa Senior Advisory Committee.

The shred-a-thon is a great opportunity for residents to get rid of sensitive documents, such as old business or tax records and medical information.

A food drive, which encourages canned goods and non-perishable items, will go to benefit F.O.R. Maricopa Food Bank.

The shred event and food drive will take place from 9am - 11am at Copper Sky Regional Park (44345 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd) on Saturday, April 20th.

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Podcast Ep. 6 – Teen Tragedy: Violence Over a Vape Cartridge

April 15, 2024/in News

FLORENCE, AZ - The Pinal County Attorney's Office has released the latest episode in the "Courtroom Chronicles" podcast series.

'Episode 6 - Teen Tragedy: Violence Over a Vape Cartridge' focuses on how advancements in technology helped solve the murder of 15-year-old Joshua McCoy, a San Tan Valley teenager who was killed at his home in broad daylight in 2021.

County Attorney Volkmer is joined by Major Crimes Deputy County Attorney Lauren Deakin to discuss the case.

WATCH/YouTube: https://bit.ly/3UjikGT

Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3TWnbwd

Spotify: https://bit.ly/3Q5l5c9

Podbean: https://bit.ly/3vWmURV

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Casa Grande Man Sentenced to 37 Years for Sexual Conduct with a Minor

April 12, 2024/in News, Significant Sentences

FLORENCE, AZ (April 12, 2024) - A Casa Grande man has been sentenced to nearly four decades in prison for engaging in sexual conduct with a minor under the age of 15.

On Friday, Pinal County Superior Court Judge Daniel Washburn Sentenced Albert Tellez, 53, to 37 years of flat time in the Arizona Department of Corrections, followed by lifetime probation.

Tellez pled guilty to Sexual Conduct with a Minor Under 15, a Class 2 Felony and Dangerous Crime Against Children; and Sexual Conduct with a Minor Under 15 in the Second Degree, a Class 3 Felony and Preparatory Dangerous Crime Against Children.

In December 2022, a 13-year-old juvenile met Tellez in the parking lot of a retail shopping center in Casa Grande. According to court documents, Tellez was able to get the juvenile to a house where he engaged in sexual conduct with her. The juvenile disclosed the encounter to authorities and underwent a medical exam and forensic interview. DNA from Tellez was found on the juvenile. Video surveillance from the retail location also aided the investigation done by the Casa Grande Police Department.

Tellez was already a convicted sex offender.

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April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

April 9, 2024/in News

(FLORENCE, AZ) - April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, an important opportunity to come together as a community, support survivors and highlight available resources.

Lauren is a Deputy County Attorney at PCAO who prosecutes these types of cases, and knows how significantly this can impact those involved. She shares her message to survivors below.

The National Sexual Assault Hotline is 800-656-HOPE (4673).

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Events Set for National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

April 1, 2024/in News

FLORENCE, AZ (April 1^st, 2024) - County Attorney Kent Volkmer is pleased to announce two large community events to mark National Crime Victims’ Rights Week this month.

National Crime Victim's Rights Week is April 21^st – 27^th. This is an important week and opportunity to spotlight victims, lift them up as a community and highlight the resources available to them. Each year, PCAO tries to IGNITE HOPE for those affected by crime.

“This is a powerful week to come together as a community to embrace and support victims of crime,” said County Attorney Kent Volkmer. “We hope these community events are a beneficial way to come together and strengthen the bond between all of our neighborhoods throughout Pinal County.”

PCAO will host two family-friendly events:

DUI Awareness Car Show

Friday, April 19^th, 2024

5pm – 8pm

Downtown Florence

Kickball Tournament

Friday, April 26^th, 2024

5pm – 9pm

Anthem at Merrill Ranch (3313 N. Anthem Way, Florence)

NCVRW Events

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Podcast Ep. 5 – The Sheriff Talks Fentanyl

March 28, 2024/in News

FLORENCE, AZ -The Pinal County Attorney's Office has released the latest episode in the 'Courtroom Chronicles' podcast series.

Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb joins County Attorney Volkmer to discuss the rise of fentanyl across our communities, what they are doing to combat the issue, and advice to parents.

WATCH/YouTube - https://bit.ly/4azSu6v

Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3TUunKi

Spotify: https://bit.ly/3IWgXat

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Free Document Shredding in Casa Grande on April 6th

March 25, 2024/in News

FLORENCE, AZ - The Pinal County Attorney's Office will host a free shred event on Saturday, April 6th as part of Casa Grande Public Safety Day.

The document shredding is a good opportunity for residents to properly dispose of sensitive documents, such as old tax returns or medical information.

The event will also feature a prescription drug take back in partnership with the Department of Public Safety. This will allow residents to get rid of old, unused or expired medications.

The event will run from 10:00am - Noon on April 6th at the Paul Mason Sports Complex (2525 N. Pinal Ave in Casa Grande).

Suggested donations at the event include toiletries such as toothpaste and toothbrushes that will go to help Pinal County abuse shelters.

Casa Grande Shred

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Maricopa Woman Sentenced to 26 Years in Deadly DUI Crash

March 22, 2024/in News, Significant Sentences

FLORENCE. AZ (March 22nd, 2024) - A Maricopa woman has been sentenced to 26 years in prison for killing a woman and seriously injuring another man in a multi-vehicle collision that involved the defendant speeding 119 mph prior to the crash.

On Friday, March 22nd, Pinal County Superior Court Judge Danielle Harris sentenced Chelsea Edwards, 20, to 26 years in the Arizona Department of Corrections.

A jury found Edwards guilty of 2nd Degree Murder, a Class One Felony; and Aggravated Assault, a Class Three Felony.

In November 2022, the Pinal County Sheriff's Office was dispatched to the area of Fanner Drive and Ralston Road in Maricopa in reference to a multi-vehicle collision. One female, 21, was pronounced deceased after being ejected from a vehicle, while another man sustained severe injuries and was airlifted to Chandler Regional Hospital.

The driver of a Chrysler 300, identified as Edwards, admitted to deputies that she had been consuming alcohol and smoking marijuana prior to the crash, and her BAC was determined to be .13. The investigation showed Edwards was traveling 119 mph just before the crash, where the posted speed limit was 45 mph. Edwards slammed into the back of a Ford F-150, causing the truck to veer into oncoming traffic, where it struck another vehicle.

"This tragic case is yet another example of what can happen when you choose to drive impaired," said County Attorney Kent Volkmer after the guilty verdict. "Our thoughts are with the victim's family and friends and I hope everyone in our communities is ensuring they are safe and sober when behind the wheel.”

Deputy County Attorney Stephen Bridger prosecuted this case.

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Maricopa man sentenced to 10 years for Aggravated DUI

March 21, 2024/in News, Significant Sentences

(FLORENCE, AZ) - A Maricopa man has been sentenced to a decade in prison for aggravated dui, and his third in the past 84 months.

On February 26^th, 2024, Pinal County Superior Court Judge Daniel Washburn sentenced Ricard Diggs, 60, to 10 years in the Arizona Department of Corrections.

A jury found Diggs guilty of four counts of Aggravated DUI, including his third DUI within 84 months.

In September 2022, the Maricopa Police Department pulled over a vehicle that was traveling approximately 80mph in a 25mph residential area. The driver was identified as Diggs, and officers discovered he had a revoked driver’s license out of Colorado and is a Habitual Traffic Offender. The officer noted Diggs appeared impaired, and he also admitted to drinking alcohol. His BAC at the scene registered 0.11.

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