Yavapai County

Bryan Teague Got Off Easy in 2011 Firearms Case, Started 5,220-Acre Fire in Tonto Forest Months Later

Bryan Teague of Peoria, the suspect in a 5,220-acre wildland fire east of the Valley in August, has been thrown in prison several times for his persistent drinking and driving since 2000. Being a prohibited possessor, he wasn't allowed to own or carry a firearm when he wandered around 29th Avenue a ... More >>

Paul Gosar Asks Remington to Pack Up and Start Making Guns in the Colt Single Action Army Revolver State (Arizona)

Republican Congressman Paul Gosar has asked Remington Arms to move out of New York, and start making guns in Arizona.Why? Because people in the Colt Single Action Army Revolver state "cherish our Constitution, including the Second Amendment," Gosar wrote in a letter to Remington's CEO.

Sheriff Scott Mascher's Letter to Governor Jan Brewer Contains Discredited Info on US Attorney's Intentions; Same as Sheila Polk's

See Also: Sheila Polk's Letter to Brewer Misstates AZ U.S. Attorney's Position on Medical Marijuana See Also: Medical Marijuana Dispensary Lottery Coming Tuesday, and Will Be Streamed Live Online A letter about medical marijuana to Governor Jan Brewer by Yavapai County Sheriff Scott Mascher, and ... More >>

Tom Horne: Arizona Medical Marijuana Act Preempted by Federal Law, in Part; Cardholders OK, Dispensaries Could be Nixed by Court

See also: Medical Marijuana Dispensary Lottery Coming Tuesday, and Will Be Streamed Live Online Arizona should not authorize medical-marijuana dispensaries as voters intended because they are against state law, says state Attorney General Tom Horne. But the state's 2010 medical-marijuana law isn' ... More >>

James Ray Death Lodge Trial Nearing an End; Faces Nine Years in Prison For Sweat Lodge Deaths

New Times​The sentencing phase of the trial for convicted snake-oil salesman James Arthur Ray is coming to an end as prosecutors urge the judge in the case to sentence the Oprah-approved "self-help" guru to the maximum: nine years in prison.Ray was convicted in September on three counts of neglige ... More >>

Walmart Employees Steal Cash From Store to Fund Sex-Change Operation, Toyota Supra

The Daily CourierSpencer Cullen stole money from Wal-Mart to pay for a sex-change operation.​Spencer Danger Cullen, 23, was born with a penis -- and he's apparently so determined to get rid of it that he and a friend burglarized the Walmart where the two worked in order to come up with the cash to ... More >>

Why Did the Arizona Department of Corrections Put a Mentally Ill Man in a Cell With a Convicted Killer?

Glendale Man Hit With Felony for "Spice" (Fake Weed) Possession. They're Actually Enforcing This

Yavapai County Sheriff's OfficeAttention Matthew Keller: even fake weed is illegal in Arizona.​In February, possessing "Spice," a synthetic form of marijuana, became illegal in Arizona -- and some cops, apparently, are actually enforcing the new law. Just ask 27-year-old Matthew Keller, of Glendal ... More >>

Lisa Davis Talks Mormon Molester At Changing Hands Book Reading

Our onetime colleague Lisa Davis (one of our personal faves) showed up at the Changing Hands bookstore in Tempe last night to read from her newly published book, "The Sins of Brother Curtis: A Story of Betrayal, Conviction, and the Mormon Church " a chilling expose of a Mormon pedophile an ... More >>

Goodyear Man and Ex-Girlfriend Found Dead in Truck Ruled Murder-Suicide

Police believe Thomas Watson shot his ex-girlfriend Tara Shermerhorn before turning the gun on himself.​The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office announced yesterday that the deaths of a Goodyear man and his ex-girlfriend last week have been ruled a murder-suicide.The bodies of 43-year-old Thomas Watson ... More >>

James Arthur Ray's Financial Status Not to Be Discussed at Sweat Lodge Trial, Judge Rules

​The Yavapai County Superior Court judge overseeing the manslaughter trial of snake-oil salesman James Arthur Ray ruled today that some important pieces of evidence may not be used by prosecutors during trial -- most notably, information about Ray's financial situation.Ray's probably lovin' Judge ... More >>

Serial Sign Vandal, Upset Over Road Conditions, Arrested in Yavapai County

William Leigh Dougan​The unsatisfactory conditions of the road leading into a remote town in Yavapai County caused a Phoenix man to leave some constructive criticism stuck to roadsigns in the area. The suggestions weren't well received by local law enforcement, though, and the man was arrested for ... More >>

Raising Sextuplets Star Cops to Threatening Wife

Bryan Masche​The star of the We Network's family reality TV show, <i>Raising Sextuplets</i>, was in a Yavapai County courtroom this morning, where he pleaded guilty to a pair of charges stemming from a September outburst, in which he threatened his wife.Bryan Masche, the 32-year-old fa ... More >>

Drunk Prescott Driver Tried to Steal Stop Sign While Cops Watched

Christopher McCollum​Trying to steal a stop sign is a good way to find yourself in a world of somewhat-serious legal shit, but a Prescott man didn't stop there. While trying to steal a stop sign, 19-year-old Christopher McCollom managed to hit the trifecta in terms of criminal stupidity.Ya see, no ... More >>

Grand Jury Indicts Youth Pastor on Child Molestation Charges

Christopher Furey​If you read the headline to this post and think you're experiencing a case of deja vu, we assure you, you're not. Leaders of a church being accused of molesting kids is nothing new, to say the least, and the latest member of the cloth accused of feelin' up kids while leading a co ... More >>

Prescott Valley Man Stole Donation Money for Family of Dead 2-Year-Old

Valente Williams​A Prescott Valley man was caught on camera with his hand in the cookie jar. Only it wasn't an actual cookie jar -- it was a coffee can collecting donations for the family of 2-year-old Emmett Trapp, the boy  found dead last week after going missing from his home two day ... More >>

Missing Prescott Boy Found Dead About a Mile From his House

Emmett Trapp, 2, was found dead near his home earlier today. ​This morning, Prescott Valley police discovered the dead body of a 2-year-old boy who went missing earlier this week.Cops have been looking for Emmett Trapp since he was reported missing Monday.Authorities were being f ... More >>

James Arthur Ray's Lawyers Want Trial Moved to Maricopa County

​Lawyers for James Arthur Ray, the Oprah-approved "self-help" guru, who organized a deadly sweat lodge event near Sedona last year, want the motivational speaker's trial moved from Yavapai County to Maricopa County.Prosecutors, however, do not.Ray's been charged with three counts of manslaughter s ... More >>

James Ray's Lawyers Want Autopsy Photos and Other Evidence Tossed From Sweat Lodge Trial

​Lawyers for Oprah-approved snake-oil salesman James Arthur Ray, the leader of the sweat lodge fiasco that left three people dead and dozens injured last October, are asking a Yavapai County Superior Court judge to throw out some key evidence against the "self-help" guru in his upcoming manslaught ... More >>

Kiddy-Porn Production and Distribution Ring Busted-Up in Yavapai County

YCSODavid Antonio Rodriguez​A Yavapai County man was arrested last week after police say he's been producing, distributing, and possibly starring in kiddy-porn films recorded at his Rimrock home for the last nine years.Yavapai County Sheriff's Office spokesman Dwight D'Evelyn tells New Times 29-ye ... More >>

Owen "Buz" Mills Has Already Dropped $2.3 Million on Gov's Race and Jan Brewer's Reaping the Benefits

​Yavapai County businessman Owen "Buz" Mills released his campaign's spending report this week and it turns out he's dropped even more cash on his dismal campaign for governor than previously imagined.According to the report, prior to May 31, Mills had spent about $2.3 million on the race and much ... More >>

"Sexting" Leads to Arrest of Alleged, Prescott Valley Child Molestor

Prescott Valley Police DepartmentEthan Cook, 20, allegedly molested a 14-year-old Prescott Valley girl. ​A Prescott Valley man got pinched Sunday for allegedly molesting a 14-year-old girl several times dating back to at least March.The suspect, 20-year-old Ethan Cook, may have gotten away with it ... More >>

Prescott Valley Man Stabs Guinea Pig to Death After Fight With Girlfriend; Calls Police on Self Saying he Stabbed "Someone"

www.gotpetsonline.com​A Prescott Valley man was arrested on Monday after stabbing a guinea pig to death following a fight with his girlfriend.He probably would have gotten away with it, too, had he not called the police on himself to report that he'd stabbed "someone."

54-Year-Old Yavapai County Woman Allegedly Beats the Crap Out of Boyfriend With Frying Pan

Yavapai County Sheriff's OfficeJanet Beekman​A Yavapai County woman went on a bit of a rampage on Tuesday afternoon that resulted in a broken cell phone, a wasted beer, and a bruised-up boyfriend.According to the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office, 54-year-old Janet Beekman and her 53-year-old boyfri ... More >>

John Dougherty, Ex-New Times Award-Winning Staffer, to Run for U.S. Senate -- Really

John Dougherty: Candidate for U.S. Senate​ In the we-really-aren't-making-this-up department, our ex-colleague John Dougherty tells us that he's filed documents today with the Federal Elections Commission as a first step to run in the upcoming Democratic primary for a U.S. Senate seat. ... More >>

James Ray Subpoena Requests Quashed by Judge

"Spiritual warrior" James Arthur Ray​Requests made by "spiritual warrior" James Arthur Ray and his lawyers to subpoena emergency workers who responded to the Sedona sweat lodge that left three people dead and dozens injured, was quashed by a Yavapai County judge. Ray and his attorneys ... More >>

Dennis McCarthy, Nebraska-Based Attorney, Is Gila County's Pick to Prosecute Stapley/Wilcox Cases

Dennis McCarthy​The Gila County Attorney's Office is recommending that a Nebraska-based attorney prosecute cases against Maricopa County Supervisors Don Stapley and Mary Rose Wilcox.The Gila County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to vote on the appointment of Dennis McCarthy as special pro ... More >>

Shirtless DUI Suspect Passes Out in Front of Cop During Stop

www.yeah-oops.com Feelin' a little wobbly?​If you're too fucked up to stay conscious when getting questioned by a cop, you're too fucked up to be driving a car, stupid.A California man learned that lesson the hard way after passing out in front of a Yavapai County Sheriff's deputy ... More >>

James Arthur Ray Trial Date Set in Yavapai County; Public Won't See Autopsy Photos

"Spiritual warrior" James Arthur Ray​"Spiritual warrior" James Arthur Ray will get his day in court but autopsy photos of his alleged victims will not be released to the public, a Yavapai County Superior Court judge ruled this morning.Judge Warren Darrow set a trial date of August 31, for Ray and ... More >>

Hot Links: Jail Drug Use, Robot Pharmacist, and Queen Creek

​A report by Arizona State University says that drug use is on the rise among Maricopa County jail inmates. Using urine tests and inmate questionnaires, researchers found that opiate use had increased. Opiates include heroin and many prescription drugs. Officials with the Maricopa County jails and ... More >>

James Arthur Ray Claims He's Broke; That's Funny, He Wasn't Broke Before His Bail Was Set at $5 Million

"Spiritual warrior" James Arthur Ray​Spiritual Warrior James Arthur Ray, the snake-oil salesman who organized a self-help retreat in Sedona that left three people dead and dozens injured, is claiming he's broke.That's funny, part of his whole gimmick is bragging about his money and success, which ... More >>

Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Anti-Immigration Martyr, Raised $1.2 Million in '09. Despite What He Claims, He Doesn't Need the Money

Sheriff Joe's campaign is flush with cash. So tell your granny to stop sending him money already...​Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's popularity may be plummeting in Maricopa County -- but he's still the politician of choice for donors across the country.In fact, Arpaio's most recent camp ... More >>

Andrew Thomas and Sheila Polk Scheduled to Testify Together Next Week in Mary Rose Wilcox Case

​ A judge on Wednesday cleared the way for a court hearing next week that will have county attorneys Andrew Thomas and Sheila Polk answering questions by Mary Rose Wilcox's lawyer. Thomas' office had tried to quash the compelled testimony, but Pima County Judge John Leornardo wouldn't hear of ... More >>

Court Docs: Sedona Sweat Lodge Not the First Time People Have Been Injured at James Ray Event

​Documents released yesterday by a Yavapai County judge indicate that the October deaths of three people at James Arthur Ray's "Spiritual Warrior" sweat tent debacle in Sedona was not the first time someone was injured while following Ray towards, um, spiritual enlightenment. More than t ... More >>

Stapley and Wilcox Indicted; Thomas and Arpaio Launch Fresh Attack on Eve of Judge's Ruling on Special Prosecutors

  ​Maricopa County Supervisors Don Stapley and Mary Rose Wilcox (left) have been served with indictments this morning that accuse them of committing a long list of crimes. Stapley's been indicted on 27 felony and misdemeanor accounts. You're familiar with these accusations ... More >>

Serving Up Stapley: Why’s the Don Stapley Prosecution a Big Joke? Because the Accusers Are Far Shadier Than the Accused

Arsonist and Last Person Seen With Missing Woman Sentenced to 10 Years for Burning Down His Own House for Insurance Payout

Robert Reed ​Last month, we told you about a 64-year-old Campe Verde woman who went missing in March. As far as police know, the last person to see her alive is the same man who was sentenced to more than a decade in prison after he was convicted of arson charges in Maricopa County Supe ... More >>

Police Arrest Phoenix Man For Impersonating Brother In Court

Yavapai County Sheriff's OfficeDenton Haymes (Left) Preston Haymes (Right) This could make a nice Hamyes family Christmas card.​In the Jane Austen novel "Mansfield Park," she says: "The younger brother must help pay for the pleasure of the elder."Well, life has once again imitated art only this ti ... More >>

Our Michael Jackson Spoof Is Outed, Plus Connecting the Dots Between Shawna Forde and Her Ideological Confederates

Arizona's Marijuana-Worshipping Church of Cognizance Seeks a Legal, Spiritual High

courtesy of the Church of Cognizance The seal of the CoC, designed by "The Pope of Pot," Dan Quaintance. Should the State of Arizona carve out an exemption to its marijuana ban for the pot-worshipping, neo-Zoroastrian Church of Cognizance? That was but one of the legal issues at stake during ... More >>

Arizona pols play politics with the state’s disabled students

Letters from the issue of Thursday, May 15, 2008

Off with their heads

Arizona's Juries are proving tougher than judges under a new murder sentencing system

Dry Noon

In Bumble Bee ghost town, two Wild West-style businesses square off over the old town well

Time Transients

A new millennium in Phoenix, where the motorist in the next lane is your auld acquaintance

A Madam, A Murder, A Mystery

Exhuming Arizona's most notorious prostitute

Skid Row

State lawyers collide with ethics in $3.79 million suit over "bleeding asphalt" fatality

Calendar for the week

A LIFE AMONG THE DEAD

DR. HEINZ KARNITSCHNIG CUT HIS WAY THROUGH CORPSES AND RED TAPE