Friday,  May 9, 2008

Republic: Man suspected of molesting son, daughter 05-08 news story by Alex Whitlatch

A 29-year-old Florence man was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of molesting his daughter and son. Mesa police said the man was arrested by Pinal County deputies after his 3-year-old daughter told an aunt that her father inappropriately touched her April 30, injuring her. During the investigation, the man's 9-year-old son said he had been molested by his father when the family lived in Mesa between March 21, 2005 and January 1, 2006. The boy was 6 at the time.  The boy told investigators he was forced to commit sexual acts on his father while his mother was at work. He said he told his mother, but police said it had not been reported. Mesa police arrested the man on an outstanding warrant and during questioning he admitted molesting his son, according to a report. . .

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/05/08/20080508abrk-misconduct0508.html

Republic: Smuggler sentenced to life in death of 10 immigrants 05-08 news story by JJ Hensley

A judge sentenced Adan Pineda-Doval to life in prison on Thursday for killing 10 immigrants Doval was attempting to smuggle across the border last fall. Judge Stephen McNamee issued the sentence for Pienda-Doval, 22, following a jury trial in October in which the Michoacán, Mexico, resident was found guilty on 10 counts of Transportation of Illegal Aliens Resulting in Death, among other charges. According to federal authorities, Pienda-Doval was driving a stripped-down Chevy Suburban with 20 immigrants packed into it through the Sonoran desert when a border agent attempted to stop Pineda-Doval in October. . .

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/05/08/20080508smuggler0508-ON.html

Tribune: East Valley men sentenced for child porn 05-08 news story by Eddi Trevizo

Two sex offenders were sentenced to several years in prison Monday for possession of child pornography. Scott Lavern Nelson, 20, of Tempe, was sentenced to 63 months in prison after an FBI investigation in February 2007 revealed 274 images and videos of child pornography; many showed adult males engaging in sex with very young girls, according to the office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona. Authorities said Lawrence Clyde Amber, 34, of Queen Creek, was also sentenced . Amber, who admitted to having an addiction to child pornography, was sentenced to 66 months. Lawrence was arrested after 1,000 images and videos of child pornography were found on his home computer in September 2006. . .

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/115879

Republic: Teen pleads guilty in kidnap 05-08 news story by Alex Whitlatch

A 15-year-old boy who kidnapped a classmate at knifepoint and was found with a backpack full of restraining devices and weapons, pleaded guilty Thursday. Brent Clark, who was 14 at the time of the crimes in March 2007, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and kidnapping charges. Mesa police said Clark confronted a girl with a knife as she walked home from school. She escaped and called police, who waited for the boy the next morning at the school. When he failed to show up, his parents were called. Police said the parents went home, and Clark was discovered wearing camouflage and with a backpack full of weapons and restraining materials. . .

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/05/08/20080508abrk-guiltyplea0508.html

Republic: Professor rebuked in death of student, Educator faces termination for questionable actions 05-09 news story by Erin Kozak

A community-college professor faces termination in connection with accusations that he carried on a romantic relationship with a 19-year-old student and tried to hide her identity from authorities after she ended up unconscious April 20 at his north Phoenix condo. The student was pronounced dead later at a hospital. Her death is being investigated as an apparent drug overdose, although authorities are awaiting toxicology and autopsy findings. The chancellor of the Maricopa County Community College District on Thursday recommended that Michael Todd, a 51-year-old psychology professor at Paradise Valley Community College, be terminated for violating the district's "amorous relationships" regulation. In a letter to Todd notifying him of the district's intent, Chancellor Rufus Glasper accuses Todd of violating "professional standards that MCCCD has a right to expect its faculty to uphold.". .

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/05/09/20080509prof0509.html?source=nletter-news

Republic: 7 years later, Mesa teen still missing 05-08 news story by Senta Scarborough

It has been nearly seven years since Mesa High School junior Paul Sanders went missing. The 16-year-old football player left his home in the 3800 block of East Carol Circle in his father's truck after an argument with his parents between the evening of Aug. 11 and early morning of Aug. 12, 2001. Later that day, Paul's parents reported him missing to Mesa police. "He is still missing and no one has heard anything. His parents are still worried and there has been no closure," Mesa police Investigator Margarita Quihuiz said. "We have pretty much tried everything. We are hoping this will generate something, jog someone's memory or they will remember something. Even if they were afraid to come forward we don't need their name, just their information."  Paul had argued with his parents over personal issues and grades because he wasn't going to be able to play football, Quihuiz said.Paul took off in his father's silver Chevrolet truck. . .

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/05/08/20080508mr-missing0509.html

Tribune: Mesa police seek help to solve slayings 05-09 news story by Katie McDevitt

With few clues to go on, Mesa police reached out to residents Thursday night for help in solving the case of a possible serial killer who strangled at least two women and sexually assaulted another. Only about 30 people attended a community meeting at Edison Elementary School, 545 N. Horne, where police said they are aggressively searching for witnesses to an Aug. 17 abduction and sexual assault near Main Street and Horne. "We are certain there is someone out in the community who saw this abduction," said Mesa spokesman Detective Steve Berry. "That's something that you don't forget." Police announced Monday that they are searching for a man whose DNA was found on the three women. The cases include the November 2004 strangulation of 21-year-old Alisa M. Beck, the October 2007 killing of 44-year-old Karen Jane Campbell and the sexual assault of an unnamed 47-year-old woman who survived the attack. . .

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/115898 (related: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/05/08/20080508mr-meeting.html)

Republic: Surprise bank is robbed 05-08 news story by Elias C. Arnold

A robber made off with an unspecified amount of money Wednesday when he demanded money from a bank teller, Surprise police said. According to police, the robber handed the teller a note demanding cash about 3:15 p.m. at an AmTrust Bank branch in the 14500 block of West Grand Avenue. He then fled in an unknown direction, police said. . .

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/05/08/20080508gl-nwvrobbery0508-ON.html

KTAR/KPHO: 1 wounded in apartment invasion 05-08 news story

Three men broke into a Phoenix apartment Thursday morning and during a scuffle with the tenant, a gun carried by one of the intruders discharged, critically wounding one of them, police said. Police responding to the disturbance at 5454 W. Indian School Road said they found the attacker unconscious on the ground suffering from a gunshot wound. The tenant said he was inside his apartment with his girlfriend and 2-year-old child. He said he was awakened around 5 a.m. by three intruders standing over him, according to police. The intruders struggled with the tenant and his girlfriend, officers said. . .

http://www.ktar.com/?nid=6&sid=831164&r=1

Republic: Woman may get 5 years in pot bust 05-08 news story by Elias C. Arnold

A 32-year-old West Valley woman faces up to five years in prison after she was convicted this week of having nearly 180 pounds of marijuana in her home, the Maricopa County Attorney's Office said. Lastenia L. Trujillo was convicted of possession of marijuana for sale and drug paraphernalia Monday in Maricopa County Superior Court. Court documents show Casa Grande police discovered the marijuana during a traffic stop in their city, arrested an unidentified suspect and placed a tracking device in the marijuana. Police then delivered it to a house near Dysart and Bethany Home roads in an unincorporated area near Luke Air Force Base. . .

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/05/08/20080508swv-conviction0508-ON.html

KTAR: Teen robbers terrorize north Phoenix neighborhood 05-09 news story by Jim Cross

Five teens are in custody and a manhunt is on for two others in connection with a brazen armed robbery spree in north Phoenix. Police said the teens went on a rampage in the neighborhood around 40th Street and Thunderbird Thursday night and early today, robbing people in their yards, three cab drivers and a man washing his car. Police chased five suspects down with the help of a helicopter. Two managed to escape. ``They're all Hispanic males, they're all juveniles, they were armed with a combination of handguns and knives," said Sgt. Joel Tranter, adding that police believe the teens were involved in at least a dozen armed robberies in the past week. ``They're involved with a series of previous armed robberies," Tranter said. ``They're very brazen suspects." He said the teens looked for targets of opportunity. ``. .

http://www.ktar.com/?nid=6&sid=832113&r=1

Tribune: Mesa man shot last week dies 05-08 news story by Katie McDevitt

A 27-year-old who was shot in the chest last week in his apartment died on Tuesday, police said. Police have arrested the victim’s roommate, 20-year-old Efren Chavez-Rivera, in connection with the shooting. Chavez-Rivera was booked on suspicion of manslaughter, aggravated assault, misconduct involving weapons and discharging a firearm within city limits. The shooting occurred the night of April 29 inside the apartment where Antonio Quintana-Hernandez and Chavez-Rivera both lived. Police said they believe the suspect drove Quintana-Hernandez to a local emergency room and threw guns in a trash bin on the way to the hospital. . .

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/115878

Mesa man charged in roommate's death: http://www.ktar.com/?nid=6&sid=831650&r=1   

Republic: Detective resigns amid porn inquiry 05-09 news story by Lindsey Collom

A Phoenix police homicide detective has resigned amid charges that he purchased and shared pornographic images of children over the Internet. Richard Michael Polk, 50, submitted his resignation last Friday after 26 years with the Phoenix Police Department, a spokesman confirmed. Polk pleaded not guilty Tuesday to 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor in Maricopa County Superior Court. A search of his home last week produced several flash drives containing video files of minors - including one girl believed to be 8 years old - engaging in sexual acts, court records show. No matter how the criminal case pans out, the former lawman will retain full retirement benefits. Polk's annual compensation will be 65 percent of his highest salary averaged over three years. His most recent base salary was $60,881.60, not including longevity pay, uniform allowance and other perks. Polk could stand to receive roughly $40,000 in yearly benefits. . .

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/05/09/20080509copporn0509.html

KTAR/KPHO: Police still investigating alleged pot-smoking day care provider 05-08 news story

Police continue investigating a Valley day care provider who allegedly had been smoking pot on the job when a 9-month-old boy quit breathing while in her care. No charges have been filed in the case which happened six weeks ago when emergency crews rushed the boy to the hospital in critical condition. A family member of the boy said Thursday the baby was shaken before he stopped breathing. ``The doctors say that's what happened to him. He has severe brain damage and he's now blind," the woman, who did not want her name used, told News/Talk 92-3 KTAR. . .

http://www.ktar.com/?nid=6&sid=831340&r=1

Tribune: Daughter of Cold Stone founders gets prison 05-08 news story by Mike Branom

The daughter of Cold Stone Creamery's founders was sentenced Thursday to 3 1/2 years in prison for a fatal drunken-driving crash. A Maricopa County Superior Court judge also punished Savannah Sutherland, 23, of Mesa with five years of probation and 1,000 hours of community service. She had pleaded guilty to manslaughter, criminal damage and driving while intoxicated. On March 20, 2006, Sutherland rear-ended a scooter driven by Genovena Tepec-Juarez, 36, in east Mesa near the intersection of Baseline Road and Farnsworth Drive. In a turn of events that Judge Andrew Klein called very remarkable, the victim's family intervened so Sutherland would receive a shorter prison term than what was outlined in a plea agreement reached two months ago. . .

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/115820

KTAR: Police to follow new illegal immigration policy 05-08 news story by Sandra Haros

There will soon be changes in the way Phoenix police officers communicate with illegal immigration. Phoenix police officers will be receiving new guidelines on how to deal with suspected illegal immigrants. Phoenix mayor Phil Gordon said training is well underway. "The vast majority of the police department have been trained, 3,000 officers," he said. "Within the next two to three weeks, we'll have a press conference with the chief announcing that the order is in place.". .

http://www.ktar.com/?sid=831594&nid=6

Tribune: Report: Motorcyclist going 90 mph in fatal crash 05-08 news story by David Biscobing

A Queen Creek man killed in Gilbert late last year while fleeing Maricopa County sheriff’s deputies on a motorcycle was riding at nearly twice the speed limit and smashed into oncoming traffic, police records released this week show. Dennis Hester, 20, died Nov. 27 at Power and Williams Field roads. He slammed into a car while trying to pass two vehicles, records show. The impact threw him into another vehicle, and his body came to rest more than 100 feet away from the initial impact. Hester’s arm was severed during the crash. Despite the efforts of two witnesses who gave him CPR, he died at the scene. . .

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/115882

Republic: Shaq helping set up crimes-against-children unit, Suns center is working with Tempe police 05-09 news story by William Hermann

Tempe police and Phoenix Suns star Shaquille O'Neal are working together to set up the city's first Internet Crimes Against Children unit. O'Neal and Tempe Police Chief Tom Ryff traveled together Wednesday to the Pascua Yaqui Reservation near Tucson to visit a school and thank the tribe for a grant of $75,000 to get the unit going. "Shaq is a real gentleman and has a passion for law enforcement," Ryff said Thursday. O'Neal is a sworn officer with the Los Angeles Port Authority, went through the Los Angeles County Police Academy, was a reserve officer in Miami Beach, Fla., and is training to become a reserve officer with Tempe, Ryff said. . .

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/05/09/20080509shaqcop0509.html?source=nletter-news

Daily Sun: Meth dealer gets 2.5-year prison term  05-09 news story by Larry Hendricks

A Tuba City woman who pleaded guilty to attempting to buy meth in Flagstaff to sell on the reservation was sentenced to 2Ãn years in prison Thursday. Yvette Charleston, 37, pleaded guilty last month to one count of attempted transportation of dangerous drugs (meth) for sale, a class 3 felony. Charleston had originally been indicted in August 2007 on charges of conspiracy to transport and/or sell narcotic and dangerous drugs, transportation and/or sale of narcotic and dangerous drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia. Dressed in blue jail jumpsuit and shackled at the wrists and ankles, Charleston declined to comment on her own behalf. . .

http://www.azdailysun.com/articles/2008/05/09/news/20080509_front_page_15.txt

KTAR: Jail quarantine to end for TB patient 05-09 AP news story

A man quarantined in the Pima County Jail for the past six months when he reportedly failed to take medication after being diagnosed with tuberculosis no longer is contagious, his attorney said. The 50-year-old man was in a special cell in the jails medical unit Thursday and could be released as early as today. The man was booked into the jail Nov. 20 after the county Health Department went to Superior Court asking for a quarantine order for him, authorities said. Attorney Robert Fleming said his client, whose has not been identified, is no longer contagious. . .

http://www.ktar.com/?nid=6&sid=832137&r=1