FLORENCE, AZ (October 7th, 2024) - Pinal County Attorney Kent Volkmer announced Jason Monoskie, 45, has been sentenced to 94 years in prison for repeatedly engaging in sexual conduct with a minor and also possessing sexually explicit images of children.

On October 7th, 2024, Pinal County Superior Court Judge Daniel Washburn sentenced Monoskie to 94 years in the Arizona Department of Corrections.

Monoskie pled guilty to the Court on eight counts of Sexual Conduct with a Minor, all Class Two Felonies, and two counts of Sexual Abuse, both Class Five felonies. Monoskie additionally pled guilty to three counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, all Class Two Felonies and Dangerous Crimes Against Children.

In October 2023, the Coolidge Police Department began investigating Monoskie after receiving  a tip from the Arizona Department of Child Safety. A juvenile disclosed that Monoskie had engaged in sexual conduct with the minor spanning years. After serving a search warrant on Monoskie's residence, investigators also located sexually explicit images of children on his cell phone.

FLORENCE, AZ (September 10^th, 2024)  - A former Central Arizona College basketball coach has been sentenced to four months in prison for defrauding her players, their families and the school of tens of thousands of dollars.

On Monday, Pinal County Superior Court Judge Steven Fuller sentenced Denise Cardenas, 45, to four months in the Arizona Department of Corrections, followed by three years of supervised probation. Cardenas is also responsible for nearly $25,000 in restitution to the college, which has already paid pack the victims.

“To see such a trusted and revered community member prey on her players for her own financial gain is saddening,” said County Attorney Kent Volkmer. “I’m proud of the victims that had the courage to come forward and help hold their coach accountable.”

Cardenas pled guilty to Fraudulent Schemes, a Class Two Felony, and Theft, a Class Six Felony.

"At a time when these students were just starting their young adult lives, this criminal act negatively impacted their future paths," said Sheriff Mark Lamb. "We hope this sentence brings closure to those athletes, their families, and the school, and reaffirm that this type of victimization is not tolerated."

The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office initiated an investigation into Cardenas in August 2022. Cardenas was a former women’s basketball coach at Central Arizona College. The investigation revealed Cardenas, also known as ‘Coach Gooch,’ told multiple girls she recruited they were on half scholarships and would have to pay for the other half of their school tuition. However, Cardenas turned in paperwork to the College stating the girls were on full scholarships. Several girls paid Cardenas for their half of the tuition using financial aid Pell Grant money.

The investigation also showed Cardenas had the team take part in a holiday fundraiser, where the money was never deposited into the women’s basketball bank account. Cardenas also solicited money from one player’s family and indicated it was needed for new uniforms, although the money received was never deposited into the team account.

Central Arizona College confirmed the students who were defrauded were on full scholarships, and were not responsible for paying any money to Cardenas. A PCAO crime analyst also discovered through subpoenaed bank records that the money the victims’ had discussed was being deposited into Cardenas’ personal account.

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FLORENCE, AZ (July 9th, 2024) -  - The Office of Pinal County Attorney Kent Volkmer announced Cristobal Cardenas, 45, has been sentenced to 95 years in prison for kidnapping a woman and sexually assaulting her on numerous occasions.

On July 8th, 2024, Pinal County Superior Court Judge Jason Holmberg imposed the sentence.

A jury found Cardenas guilty of three counts of Sexual Assault, all Class Two Felonies; and Kidnapping, a Class Two Felony.

In December 2021, Cardenas picked up a sex worker and after having consensual sex, drove the victim around, strangled her and engaged in sexual conduct without her consent. Cardenas then took the victim to a home in Maricopa, where he restrained the victim and again sexually assaulted her. At some point, Cardenas left the room and the victim was able to break free from the zip tie restraints and was able to run to a nearby house to seek help. The Maricopa Police Department responded to the scene and took Cristobal into custody.

“It is hard to comprehend the brutality the victim had to endure,” said County Attorney Kent Volkmer. "Fortunately, after a trial on the merits the Defendant was convicted, held accountable, and will now spend the rest of his life behind bars."

The victim testified at trial and a medical examination conducted during the investigation revealed injuries consistent with her accounting of what occurred.

This case was investigated by the Maricopa Police Department.

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FLORENCE, AZ (April 25th, 2024)  - A Pinal County Superior Court Judge has sentenced Shawn Main, 53, to life in prison for the murder of a three-year-old girl.

On Thursday, Pinal County Superior Court Judge Daniel Washburn sentenced Main to life plus an additional 17 years in the Arizona Department of Corrections.

Washburn previously found Main guilty of First Degree Felony Murder; Child Abuse, a Class Two Felony; and two counts of Child Abuse as Class Four Felonies.

“Children are the most vulnerable in our community and it’s a tragedy this young girl’s life was cut so short,” said County Attorney Kent Volkmer. “Those who abuse children need to be held accountable. Our thoughts are with the girl’s siblings who will go through life without their sister.”

This trial took place as a bench trial, meaning the judge, not a jury, made the determination of guilt or innocence.

On November 19th, 2015, the Pinal County Sheriff's Office responded to Banner Casa Grande Medical Center reference a death investigation of a three-year-old girl named Tiana. Deputies advised Tiana had injuries across her body in addition to an extremely severe diaper rash.

Detectives spoke with the woman who was with the child, identified as Main. Main and her wife were also living with another woman in Maricopa and were trying to adopt her four children, which included Tiana. Main claimed the girl had repeatedly fallen and that is how the severe injuries occurred. During interviews with investigators, Main made conflicting statements about what took place. The state argued that blunt force trauma was the cause of death, with a dozen impacts to the victim's head and face, and that the injuries were not at all consistent with a child falling on their own.

During sentencing, several statements were read on behalf of Tiana’s juvenile brothers, who described how her death has affected them and recalled Tiana as a child who loved Minnie Mouse and Hello Kitty. Deputy County Attorney Shawn Jensvold told the Court, “Had Ms. Main demonstrated just an ounce of human decency…none of this would have happened.”

Main addressed the Court and did not accept responsibility, but in reference to the guilty verdicts told the judge, “I couldn’t believe you got it so wrong.”

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