News - Pinal County Attorney's Office

Pennsylvania woman sentenced to nearly 50 years in case involving child sex trafficking

April 4, 2023/in News, Significant Sentences

(FLORENCE, AZ) -A Pennsylvania woman has been sentenced to nearly 50 years in prison in a case involving child sex trafficking.

On March 29th, 2023, Pinal County Superior Court Judge Jason Holmberg sentenced Brooke Santiago, 41, to 49 years in the Arizona Department of Corrections, followed by lifetime probation.

Santiago pled guilty to Child Sex Trafficking, a Class Two Felony and Dangerous Crime Against Children; 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.

According to court documents, Santiago arranged for adult males to have sexual intercourse with a juvenile in exchange for money. The juvenile disclosed details during a forensic interview. Unable to have her own children, Santiago also hoped the juvenile would get pregnant in order to have kids. The encounters with other men occurred at a hotel in Casa Grande. Investigators were able to search Santiago's phone and found corroborating messages that showed Santiago knew of the ongoing sexual encounters between the juvenile and other men.

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PCAO seeing alarming increase in the number of Felony DUIs

April 3, 2023/in News

(FLORENCE, AZ, April 3rd, 2023) – The Pinal County Attorney’s Office is launching a new safe driving campaign in order to help curb a concerning uptick in the number of Felony DUIs across the county.

PCAO is launching the campaign with the motto, “Drive Drunk or High, People Might Die.” This will be featured at various events, on community handouts and part of messaging going forward.

“A single impaired driver puts other families at risk and it’s not acceptable,” said County Attorney Kent Volkmer. “Given the rise we’re seeing, we are very concerned with how many people are getting behind the wheel when they shouldn’t.”

In 2022, the Pinal County Attorney’s Office charged 243 Felony DUI cases. That represents a roughly 75% increase over 2021.

Already in 2023, PCAO has charged more than 115 Felony DUIs, putting us on pace to easily surpass last year’s total.

“We hope an increased focus on this issue helps people think harder about the decisions they make and decide against getting behind the wheel while impaired, whether it be alcohol, illicit drugs or even prescription medication,” Volkmer said.

Over the past several years, law enforcement has begun issuing more drug DUI citations than alcohol related.

“Please realize just one bad decision could be your last,” Volkmer said. “Or it could kill someone else.”

The Pinal County Attorney’s Office encourages everyone, especially those attending the upcoming Country Thunder Music Festival in Florence, to designate a sober driver.

A felony DUI involves one of the following factors:

1) While the person's license is suspended, canceled, revoked, refused, or there is a DUI related restriction

2) It is the third DUI within 84 months

3) Has a person under the age of 15 in the vehicle

4) While the person is required to have an ignition interlock device installed

5) While driving the wrong way

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Apache Junction man sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his wife

March 31, 2023/in News, Significant Sentences

(FLORENCE, AZ) - An Apache Junction man has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his wife.

On March 22nd, 2023, Pinal County Superior Court Judge Daniel Washburn sentenced Carl Hansen, 33, to natural life in prison.

Earlier this year, a jury found Hansen guilty of First Degree Murder, a Class One Felony.

In May, 2020, the Apache Junction Police Department responded to a death investigation at a home, where Hansen's wife was found deceased. An autopsy was performed where it was revealed the victim died as a result of "blunt force trauma/homicide." The investigation uncovered Hansen had hit the victim multiple times in the head with a cane.

Several events to mark National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

March 27, 2023/in News

(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

(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

(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

(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

(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

(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

(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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