San Tan Valley teen sentenced to life in prison for murder of another teen

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(FLORENCE, AZ) - A San Tan Valley teen has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of another teen connected to the sale of a vape cartridge.

On June 22nd, 2023, Pinal County Superior Court Judge Daniel Washburn sentenced Joshua Franklin, 16, to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years, plus an additional 10.5 years.

In May, a jury found Franklin guilty of First Degree Murder, a Class One Felony and Burglary in the First Degree, a Class Two Felony. Franklin was tried as an adult.

In September 2021, the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office responded to a fatal shooting at a home in San Tan Valley. The victim was identified as a 15-year-old boy who had been shot multiple times at close range and was found deceased in the front entrance of the home. Investigators learned the shooter left the scene wearing all black clothing and was also in possession of a motorized scooter with a seat. Investigators learned the victim was involved in selling vape cartridges, and they discovered Franklin was upset with what he thought was a defective cartridge purchased from the victim a few days prior. According to a witness, the victim and Franklin were set to meet on the day of the homicide to exchange the cartridge. Social media records revealed the victim had sent Franklin his home address shortly before the murder. Geo location data from Franklin’s cell phone and from social media both showed travel from Franklin's home to the victim’s home, remaining at the victim's home for 2-3 minutes, and then traveling back to Franklin's home on the day of the murder. The timing from the location data matched the timing of eye-witness accounts, the 911 call, the social media chats, and surveillance video obtained from a neighbor's home. Franklin matched the physical characteristics of the person dressed in all black with a black backpack who witnesses saw leaving the scene and was captured on the surveillance video. A scooter and backpack matching those seen in the video and described by witnesses was located in Franklin's bedroom closet.

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Next Citizens Academy set for July 15th

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(FLORENCE, AZ) - The Pinal County Attorney’s Office is now accepting registrations for the second Citizens Academy of the year.

The Citizens Academy will take place on Saturday, July 15th from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

The PCAO Citizens Academy is an immersive experience designed to give attendees an in-depth look at how charging decisions are made and the role of prosecutors in the criminal justice system.

“This is an excellent opportunity for folks to come, see what we do as prosecutors and how we navigate difficult charging decisions,” said County Attorney Kent Volkmer.

The Citizens Academy features detailed presentations from the County Attorney and another prosecutor in the office, a chance to see the evidence and review several cases prosecuted by PCAO, take part in Q & A, use a shooting simulator to experience the type of encounters law enforcement are often presented with, and tour the county jail.

“We try to make this as in-depth an experience as possible to give those who attend an accurate reflection of how our office works and dispel any rumors about the criminal justice system,” Volkmer said.

What: Citizens Academy

When: Saturday, July 15th from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Where: PCAO Office (971 N. Jason Lopez Circle, Florence, AZ)

PCAO held three Citizens Academies in 2022 and received very positive feedback. We hope those who attend this year find it a fun and educational experience.

Those who are interested in registering for the July 15th Citizens Academy can do so HERE.

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Teens get up close look at criminal justice field as part of Youth CSI Summer Camp

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(FLORENCE, AZ June 14th, 2023) - From the callout to a mock crime scene, all the way through a mock trial, nearly 50 teens got a front row seat to the intricate workings of the criminal justice process.

The 2nd Annual Youth CSI Summer Camp wrapped up Friday, an immersive three-day experience that lets teens get a firsthand look at the various roles and potential career paths in the criminal justice field.

“It was a very good experience to have and I think a lot of other kids should go through it,” said Grace Woodall, a 15-year-old who attended the event.

The Pinal County Attorney’s Office partnered with Kayla Kully, who runs the STEM program at Poston Butte High School, to put on the three day camp. Students first learned about DNA and the fingerprinting process, and were even able to do it themselves.

“I hope that they see that there’s a bunch of different careers out there, so if they want to actually do a job like this, they can see what it actually entails,” Kully said.

The second day of the camp allowed students to watch a mock crime scene, where a ‘shooting’ took place at the high school, with a masked suspect targeting several people before fleeing the scene. With the help of the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, the teens witnessed how deputies respond to such a scene, saw paramedics treat the pretend victims, and helped look for fingerprints and other evidence at the complex ‘crime scene.’

“It’s a whole…series of events where you take a case from birth to finality,” said County Attorney Kent Volkmer. “From the crime occurring all the way through trying it in a truncated, three day period.”

The third and final day of the camp allowed the teens to watch a mock trial at Pinal County Superior Court. Real attorneys from PCAO acted as both defense and prosecution as the sides called witnesses and the ‘defendant’ from the prior day’s mock crime scene stood trial.

“We’re just trying to give the kids a taste of what a courtroom really looks like,” Volkmer said.

The three days provides the teens with a realistic look at how first responders handle and process a complex crime scene, and how the evidence is preserved and then presented in court. This event hopefully gives the teens better insight into the various career paths and whether it is something they want to pursue.

“I definitely learned…what attorneys go through and I actually got to witness trial myself, so that was cool to go through,” Woodall said.

Woodall noted the experience has changed her career goals.

“Initially I was going into acting, whereas now I’m looking at being a trial attorney,” she said.

She also added the mock trial truly resonated with her. The jury, comprised of some of the students, found the ‘defendant’ guilty of all counts after hearing arguments from both sides, hearing witness testimony and seeing the collected evidence.

“That was a really good experience and I enjoyed it a lot,” Woodall said.

The camp is free and involves dozens of volunteers who work to make the experience as realistic as feasible.

“I hope the kids take away a new understanding of what it’s like to be in law enforcement and what it takes to process scenes,” said PCAO Community Liaison Latisha Joseph.

Volkmer said the event is geared towards giving teens an opportunity to get out of the house over the Summer, a chance to truly learn about the criminal justice process and perhaps spark an interest in their future goals.

“My secret kind of hope is that this will attract our youth into these different fields,” Volkmer said. “We need crime scene technicians, we need scientists, we need law enforcement, we need prosecutors, we need defense attorneys.”

Kully echoed that sentiment.

“It lets them see, ‘do I actually want to do this career, or is this not for me,” she said.

The Pinal County Attorney’s Office would like to thank all of the volunteers and partners who helped put this together, including the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, Poston Butte High School, AMR and Rural Metro.

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Eloy woman sentenced to 24 years in child abuse case

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(FLORENCE, AZ) - An Eloy woman has been sentenced to more than two decades in prison in a child abuse case involving a boy who suffered severe injuries across his entire body.

On May 22nd, 2023, Pinal County Superior Court Judge Steven Fuller sentenced Claudia Genis, 32, to 24 years of flat time in the Arizona Department of Corrections, followed by two consecutive terms of lifetime probation.

Genis pled guilty to Child Abuse, a Class Two Felony and Dangerous Crime Against Children; and two counts of Child Abuse, both Class Four Felonies.

In September 2020, the Pinal County Sheriff's Office responded to Banner Ironwood Hospital reference an eight-year-old boy who had been air-lifted to them in critical condition and showed signs of significant abuse. The boy suffered from multiple injuries including liver and spleen lacerations, scars and abrasions all over his body, multiple rib fractures, internal bleeding, injuries to his chest cavity, fractured sternum, and both old and new injuries to his genitals. Deputies were told by a relative that he fell off his skateboard, however doctors did not believe that to be the case. Genis initially reported she noticed the victim had a puffy eye after playing in the backyard. Investigators obtained a search warrant for Genis' phone and located a search history that included home remedies for injuries to the chest, trouble breathing, and when CPS gets involved. Investigators also discovered a text message that appeared to show an attempt to fabricate a story for law enforcement.

As part of the investigation, the victim eventually disclosed Genis, who was his mom's live-in girlfriend, started hurting him when COVID began and he had to stay home from school. He indicated Genis was the only one who hurt him and that she did things including smash his head against a car window and strangle him. He has now recovered from his physical injuries.

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Mesa man sentenced to seven years for sexually assaulting woman in public

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(FLORENCE, AZ) - A Mesa man has been sentenced to seven years in prison for sexually assaulting a pregnant woman at a Casa Grande Walmart.

On May 22nd, 2023, Pinal County Superior Court Judge Daniel Washburn sentenced Andrew Magana, 21, to seven years in the Arizona Department of Corrections.

In April, a jury found Magana guilty of Sexual Assault, a Class Two Felony.

In June, 2021, Magana assaulted a pregnant woman who was shopping at a Walmart in Casa Grande. According to court documents, Magana, who was at the store with his girlfriend and young son at the time, ventured to a different part of the store where he located the victim, who was pushing a child in her shopping cart. Magana walked up to the victim and inappropriately grabbed her. The victim was able to knock off Magana's hat and sunglasses before he ran away. The hat and glasses later provided a DNA match to the defendant. Magana was also captured on store surveillance video.

Magana was on federal probation at the time of the incident.

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PCAO encourages pool safety as Summer approaches

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(FLORENCE, AZ) - As the summer season approaches and pool season gets underway, the Pinal County Attorney’s Office is promoting preventative measures to ensure kids and families have a fun, and safe, Summer.

Drowning remains a significant public health concern, with tragic consequences that can be prevented through education and vigilant supervision. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowning is the leading cause of death among children aged 1 to 4 years old. Additionally, children aged 5 to 14 face a higher risk of drowning than any other cause except motor vehicle accidents.

To ensure you and your loved ones are safe around water, it is important to ensure there are layers of protection and all preventative measures are followed.

  1. Supervision: Active and constant adult supervision is crucial whenever children are in or near water. Designate a responsible adult who can actively watch children without distractions, especially during pool parties or gatherings.
  2. Swimming Lessons: Encouraging children and adults to learn how to swim can significantly reduce the risk of drowning. Enroll in swimming lessons at reputable aquatic centers or schools with certified instructors.
  3. Pool Barriers and Safety Measures: Install proper barriers, such as four-sided fencing, around pools to prevent unsupervised access. Ensure the fencing uses a self-closing and self-latching gate. Use pool alarms and safety covers when the pool is not in use.
  4. Life Jackets and Flotation Devices: Ensure that children and inexperienced swimmers wear properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets when participating in water activities, including boating.
  5. CPR and First Aid Training: Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and basic first aid techniques to respond effectively in case of emergencies. Quick and appropriate actions can make a crucial difference in saving lives.

By working together, we can create a culture of water safety, decrease the risk of drowning incidents, and protect our children.

With the summer season almost here, let us all commit to ensuring a safe and enjoyable summer for everyone. Together, we can prevent drowning incidents, protect our loved ones, and make this summer a memorable one for all the right reasons.

We also want to extend a special thank you to Ashley Ackerman, who partnered with us on the below PSA video to highlight drowning prevention measures. This is exceptionally personal to her, as her son Braxton, 4, died in a drowning incident in 2022. Ashley shares her story with the hope of raising awareness for other families. She also launched a drowning prevention website in her son’s memory.

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Man sentenced to nearly 50 years in prison for shooting PCSO deputy

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(FLORENCE, AZ) - A man who shot a Pinal County Sheriff's Office Deputy while responding to a trespassing call has been sentenced to more than four decades in prison.

On April 28th, 2023, Pinal County Superior Court Judge Jason Holmberg sentenced Jason Forrester, 40, to 48 years in the Arizona Department of Corrections.

Forrester pled guilty to Misconduct Involving Weapons by a prohibited possessor, a Class 4 Felony, and Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a law enforcement officer, a Class 2 Felony.

In March, 2022, the Pinal County Sheriff's Office responded to a Dudleyville home after a call alleging Forrester was trespassing on the vacant property. At the time of the incident, Forrester had a warrant out for his arrest. A responding deputy contacted Forrester and shortly after was heard on police radio stating he was involved in a shooting and had been shot and was losing consciousness. The deputy was ultimately air lifted from the scene and taken to a level 1 trauma center.

Responding law enforcement personnel located Forrester, who was also suffering from a gunshot wound. Forrester was also transported to a trauma center. After his release from the hospital, Forrester was taken to the Pinal County Adult Detention Facility. He met with a PCSO detective and provided a statement that he was at the vacant home and when the deputy arrived on scene, the deputy brought up the outstanding warrant and Forrester began to run because he knew he was in possession of a firearm. The evidence and the victim account show this was an intentional shooting. While backing away from the Deputy, Forrester said he was not going back to jail and ran deeper into the property. As he approached a gate he reached into his pocket, removed a firearm, turned to face the Deputy and fired the gun, striking him.

A witness was contacted, and while they did not see the shooting, stated they heard a single gunshot followed by several more gunshots moments later.

The PCSO deputy who was shot was ultimately released from the hospital.

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PCAO marks National Fentanyl Awareness Day

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(FLORENCE, AZ, May 9th, 2023) - The Pinal County Attorney’s Office is charging a record number of fentanyl cases this year, continuing an alarming uptick that makes awareness of the drug and its accessibility of paramount importance.

Tuesday, May 9th , is National Fentanyl Awareness Day, a chance to spotlight the dangers of the drug and raise awareness about its prevalence.

In 2023, Arizona has seen more than 290 confirmed opioid deaths, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services.

“The fentanyl crisis is helping to destroy our communities, and I am heartbroken and tired of seeing so many lives, both young and old, cut short because of this drug,” said County Attorney Kent Volkmer.

The Pinal County Attorney’s Office has seen a steady increase in the number of fentanyl cases prosecuted in the County.

The numbers, broken down by fiscal year, are as follows:

July 1, 2018 - June 30, 2019:  9
July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020:  52
July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021: 150
July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2022: 300
July 1, 2022 - May 8, 2023: 344 (still nearly two months to go)

“This increase is alarming and results in tragic consequences,” Volkmer said. “I beg of you, please have these conversations with your kids and loved ones; emphasize how prevalent this drug has become and if a pill doesn’t come from the pharmacy, you have no idea what you are taking.”

To that point, fentanyl is often mixed into others pills and substances, leaving the person who consumes it unaware of the potentially fatal dose of the synthetic opioid.

"It' really important to me that we make this very real for people to understand that this can happen,” said Amy Neville, whose son died after unknowingly ingesting fentanyl.

Neville worked with PCAO in 2022 to highlight her story in hopes of raising awareness for other families about the dangers of fentanyl.

You can find additional information and resources through the Fentanyl Awareness Day website.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has a national hotline for treatment referral and information. That number is 1-800-662-HELP (4357). The Arizona Department of Health Services has a list of community resources for opioid addiction treatment both in Arizona and nationally.
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Coolidge man sentenced to more than 15 years for possessing sexually explicit images of children

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(FLORENCE, AZ) - A Coolidge man has been sentenced to more than 15 years in prison for possessing sexually explicit images of children.

On May 1st, 2023, Pinal County Superior Court Judge Steven Fuller sentenced Brian Patterson, 35, to 17 years in the Arizona Department of Corrections, followed by lifetime probation.

Patterson pled guilty to Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, a Class Two Felony and Dangerous Crime Against Children, and Sexual Exploitation of a Minor in the Second Degree, a Class Three Felony and Preparatory Dangerous Crime Against Children.

In 2022, law enforcement was contacted by Patterson’s ex-girlfriend. According to court documents, the ex-girlfriend and Patterson had broken up, but Patterson let her know the dog they owned together passed away. Afterwards, the woman received a notification that Patterson uploaded photos to a photo-sharing account via Google that the woman had access to through an old email address. The woman indicated she thought Patterson had uploaded photos of the dog, and instead she found sexually explicit images of children. The woman told Coolidge Police Patterson must not have known she still had access to the photo-sharing account. Investigators were able to view the uploaded photos and confirmed the existence of sexually explicit images of children. A search warrant was obtained for the Google account, which confirmed Patterson as the account holder and also revealed additional illicit material.

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PCAO celebrates National Administrative Professionals’ Day

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(FLORENCE, AZ) - The Pinal County Attorney's Office is recognizing National Administrative Professionals' Day.

April 26th, 2023, is a day to celebrate the professionals who keep our agency running smoothly every day. We want to thank them for all of their hard work and dedication and ensure they know their importance to the organization.

Administrative Professionals Day recognizes and celebrates the work of secretaries, administrative assistants and other office professionals for their contributions to the workplace.

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Pinal County Attorney's Office

971 N. Jason Lopez Circle
Florence, AZ 85132
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P.O. Box 887
Florence, AZ 85132

520.866.6271 (Local)
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The information and materials provided using this web site are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. Use of and access to this Web site or any of the e-mail links contained within the site do not create an attorney-client relationship between the Pinal County Attorney’s Office and the user or browser. The opinions expressed at or through this site are the opinions of the individual author and may not reflect the opinions of the Pinal County Board of Supervisors, County Manager or other elected officials.