News - Pinal County Attorney's Office

Several events to mark National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

March 27, 2023/in News /by Michael Pelton

(FLORENCE, AZ) - The Pinal County Attorney’s Office is hosting a series of events in recognition of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week in order to honor victims and highlight resources available to them.

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is set for April 23^rd – 29^th, 2023. This year’s theme is ‘Survivor Voices: Elevate. Engage. Effect Change.’

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is a chance to amplify the voices of survivors, while also recognizing the professionals who provide resources to them.

“No matter the crime, it can have a life-altering impact on those victimized by it,” said County Attorney Kent Volkmer. “This gives us a chance to truly lift them up and recognize what they’ve gone through.”

The Pinal County Attorney’s Office will host three events to commemorate the week, in partnership with several other agencies and organizations.

The first is a ‘No Booze Cruze' car and bike show in Florence on Friday, April 21^st. This event runs from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. and coincides with 3^rd Fridays. This event places an emphasis on safe, sober driving.

The second event will feature a community meeting and crime victim candlelight vigil in Florence. This will take place on Monday, April 24^th, from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. and will feature a panel of speakers consisting of town and county leaders, including County Attorney Kent Volkmer, Sheriff Mark Lamb and Florence Mayor Tara Walter, among others.

To wrap up the week, PCAO will host a Kids & Community Kickball Tournament on Friday, April 28^th from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. at Anthem at Merrill Ranch. This will feature food trucks, fingerprinting and demonstrations from local law enforcement, providing a good opportunity to share an anti-crime message with community youth.

“We hope the community comes out in large numbers, not only to enjoy these community events, but to honor and recognize victims during this important week,” Volkmer said.

See the below flyers for detailed information on each of the events. For more information, contact Community Liaison Latisha Joseph at Latisha.Joseph@Pinal.Gov.

No Booze Cruz

Florence Community Meeting

NCVRW Kickball

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Phoenix man sentenced to more than decade in prison for possessing sexually explicit images of children

March 27, 2023/in News, Significant Sentences /by Michael Pelton

(FLORENCE, AZ) - A Phoenix man has been sentenced to more than a decade in prison for possessing sexually explicit images of children.

On March 15, 2023, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge David Palmer sentenced Alexander Stevens, 23, to 11.5 years in the Arizona Department of Corrections, followed by lifetime probation.

Stevens pled guilty to Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, a Class Two Felony and Dangerous Crime Against Children; and two counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor in the Second Degree, both Class Three Felonies and Preparatory Dangerous Crimes Against Children.

In June 2021, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) provided a cybertip to the Phoenix Police Department. The tip involved allegations that a Snapchat user uploaded/distributed videos identified as potential child pornography. Investigators served a search warrant on the home linked to the account, which is where Stevens resided. Investigators searched Stevens' phone and located images depicting child sexual exploitation.

This was a Maricopa County conflict case prosecuted by the Pinal County Attorney's Office.

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Coolidge man sentenced to life in prison for murder

March 23, 2023/in News, Significant Sentences /by Michael Pelton

(FLORENCE, AZ) - A Coolidge man has been sentenced to natural life in prison for murder.

On March 8th, 2023, Pinal County Superior Court Judge Joseph Georgini sentenced Abdullatif Aldosary, 57, to natural life in prison.

Earlier this year, a jury found Aldosary guilty of First Degree Murder, a Class One Felony and Aggravated Assault, a Class Three Felony.

In November, 2012, the Maricopa Police Department responded to a shots fired call at a local business. A friend of the victim led officers to the scene of the shooting, where they found Orlando Requena, 26, suffering from a gunshot wound. Requena was at work at the time of the shooting, and the friend indicated someone in a black ski mask approached them and fired multiple shots at Requena. During the course of the investigation, Aldosary was identified as the suspect. Aldosary previously worked with the victim and reportedly had a disagreement with the victim, according to court documents. A gun forensically linked to the bullets and casings found at the murder scene was located in Aldosary's attic and a black ski mask was found in the center console of his car.

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Casa Grande man sentenced to multiple life sentences for illicit sexual contact with a minor

March 16, 2023/in News, Significant Sentences /by Michael Pelton

(FLORENCE, AZ) - A Casa Grande man has been sentenced to multiple life sentences in the Arizona Department of Corrections for illicit sexual contact with a minor.

On March 1st, 2023, Pinal County Superior Court Judge Daniel Washburn sentenced Salvador Barron, 60, to three consecutive life sentences, plus an additional 22.5 years in the Arizona Department of Corrections.

In January, a Pinal County Superior Court Jury found Barron guilty of multiple offenses. Barron was found guilty of three counts of Sexual Conduct with a Minor under the age of 15, all Class Two Felonies and Dangerous Crimes Against Children; Two counts of Molestation of a Child, both Class Two Felonies; and Sexual Abuse of a Minor under the age of 15, a Class Three Felony.

In 2019, the Casa Grande Police Department was contacted and an investigation began into allegations of illicit sexual contact with a juvenile. During a forensic interview, the juvenile disclosed Barron had touched her inappropriately on numerous occasions and had sexual contact with her. The findings of a forensic medical examination were also consistent with the allegations.

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Maricopa man sentenced to 10 years in prison for possessing illicit pictures of children

March 7, 2023/in News, Significant Sentences /by Michael Pelton

(FLORENCE, AZ) - A Maricopa man has been sentenced to a decade in prison for possessing illicit pictures of children.

On February 27^th, 2023, Pinal County Superior Court Judge Jason Holmberg sentenced Azeri Hanson, 22, to ten years in the Arizona Department of Corrections, followed by lifetime probation.

Hanson pled guilty to Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, a Class Two Felony and Dangerous Crime Against Children; and two counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor in the Second Degree, both Class Three Felonies and Preparatory Dangerous Crimes Against Children.

In 2021, Homeland Security Investigations conducted an online investigation into a user suspected of uploading files to the internet which contained child sexual abuse material (CSAM). In March 2022, the internet provider identified the IP address as coming from Hanson’s residence. Investigators were also able to find a Twitter account posting the explicit material on the platform and also linked the account to Hanson’s address, according to court documents.

In June 2022, HSI agent and the Maricopa Police Department executed a search warrant on Hanson’s home. According to court documents, investigators located the relevant online network on the defendant’s device as well as additional illicit material involving children.

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Emmy, new facility dog, helping comfort children who face forensic interviews

February 28, 2023/in News /by Michael Pelton

(FLORENCE, AZ) - Full of energy and curiosity, a new facility dog is helping calm and comfort potential victims of crime as they undergo forensic interviews.

Emmy, a two-year-old golden retriever, is now in service at the Pinal County Attorney’s Office Family Advocacy Centers.

A family advocacy center is where children undergo forensic interviews and where resources are provided to potential victims of crime.

Emmy helps comfort children who are dealing with a very traumatic situation.

“Emmy will come into the playroom [and] the kids usually immediately approach her,” said Melissa Taylor, who is the lead forensic interviewer and also Emmy’s handler.

Emmy underwent training for her role in order to properly interact with children, and can give hugs, play fetch and lay down next to the children.

“The kids are more relaxed when she’s around,” Taylor said.

Emmy has become a bright spot for the children who’ve had the chance to interact with her.

“The conversations usually start. They want to ask questions about her, so then I’m able to ask them questions about themselves,” Taylor said. “It’s nice having her help me break the ice with the kids. They’re much more relaxed.”

Taylor already noted an instance where a child was hesitant to talk and visibly upset, before Emmy came in the room and helped put the child at ease. Eventually, the child started to open up and the forensic interview was able to take place.

“Without Emmy, I don’t think that interview would have happened,” Taylor said.

Emmy will see an expanded role as her training progresses in the coming months.

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Maricopa man sentenced to more than seven years in cases relating to impaired driving

February 28, 2023/in News, Significant Sentences /by Michael Pelton

(FLORENCE, AZ) - A Maricopa man has been sentenced to more than seven years in prison for multiple cases involving impaired driving.

On January 23,2023, Pinal County Superior Court Judge Steven Fuller sentenced Augustine Alvarez, 35, to 7.5 years in the Arizona Department of Corrections followed by 18 months supervised probation.

Alvarez pled guilty to Aggravated Driving or Actual Physical Control while Under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor or Drugs, a Class 4 Felony with One Prior Felony Conviction.

This sentence is the result of multiple cases. In one instance in February 2021, an off-duty trooper called the Maricopa Police Department to report a vehicle swerving and unable to stay in the lane. Once an officer was able to get the vehicle to stop, Alvarez was identified as the driver. A blood draw analysis revealed Alvarez had a BAC of .223, or nearly three times the legal limit.

A separate incident occurred in Maricopa in December 2021, where, according to court documents, Alvarez was found passed out after he backed into a parked vehicle. Blood results showed Alvarez had a BAC of roughly .34, or more than four times the legal limit.

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Maricopa man sentenced to 7 years for shooting at occupied house, in direction of another vehicle

February 27, 2023/in News, Significant Sentences /by Michael Pelton

(FLORENCE, AZ) - A Maricopa man has been sentenced to seven years in prison for shooting at an occupied home and in the direction of another occupied vehicle.

On January 23, 2023, Pinal County Superior Court Judge Robert Olson sentenced Nicholas Lange, 18, to seven years in the Arizona Department of Corrections, followed by three years of supervised probation.

Lange pled guilty to Aggravated Assault, a Class 3 Dangerous Felony and Discharge of a Firearm at a Residential Structure, a Class Two Felony.

In June 2021, the Maricopa Police Department received reports from residents indicating a large number of gunshots heard in the area. Once officers arrived on scene, they found Lange in front of a home holding a long gun, according to court documents. A neighbor later provided surveillance video where multiple gun shots could be heard. The investigation concluded that Lange fired in the direction of a vehicle which was occupied by one person, as well as at a home that was occupied by another. Some of the discharged rounds caused damage to the house.

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Casa Grande man sentenced to 9 years for misconduct involving weapons

February 24, 2023/in News, Significant Sentences /by Michael Pelton

(FLORENCE, AZ) - A Casa Grande man has been sentenced to nearly a decade in prison for misconduct involving weapons.

On January 23,2023, Pinal County Superior Court Judge Steven Fuller sentenced Eugene Echols, 78, to nine years in the Arizona Department of Corrections.

A jury found Echols guilty of Misconduct Involving Weapons, a Class 4 Felony.

In March 2021, the Casa Grande Police Department responded to a report that two people got into a fight and one of them was holding a gun. Once on scene, officers located two people inside an apartment and tried to get both to walk outside. According to court documents, during this process Echols briefly ducked behind a refrigerator before reappearing. Officers were granted permission to go inside the property and located a 9mm pistol inside a box near the refrigerator. During the course of the investigation, it was revealed Echols is a prohibited possessor.

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Queen Creek man sentenced to 12 years in crossover crash

February 23, 2023/in News, Significant Sentences /by Michael Pelton

(FLORENCE, AZ) - A Queen Creek man has been sentenced to a dozen years in prison for a crash that saw his vehicle cross the center line and seriously injure two victims, including a pregnant woman.

On January 23, 2023, Pinal County Superior Court Judge Robert Olson sentenced Aziah Busing, 25, to 12 years in the Arizona Department of Corrections followed by supervised probation.

Busing pled guilty to two counts of Aggravated Assault, both Class 3 Felonies.

In the early morning hours of January 1^st, 2022, Busing was the driver of a pickup truck that went left of the centerline and crashed “head on” with another vehicle, according to court documents. The two passengers in the other vehicle suffered serious injuries and were transported to the hospital. One of the victims was approximately 22 weeks pregnant at the time of the crash, which occurred near Ocotillo and Meridian Roads.

Lab results showed Busing had a BAC of 0.153 and an on-scene drug recognition expert noted signs of impairment.

The crash was investigated by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Department.

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