News From The
Maricopa County Attorney’s Office December 2019 |
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One of my primary goals for the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office is collaboration—collaboration with the community, with local leaders in government, community groups, churches, schools and with first responders. In this issue, we’ll tell you about a new approach this Office is taking specifically in regard to those who work to ensure our public safety.
This month, we’ll introduce you to our First Responder Liaison Supervisor, Tom Van Dorn, who retired from the Phoenix Police Department after serving nearly 25 years as a first responder in this community. Tom is also an attorney and in his role at MCAO, he will help us seek justice in cases of assault against our first responders—police officers, firefighters, emergency technicians (EMTs) and others. He will also look to how we best hold first responders accountable when they do take wrong actions.
Finally, as a reminder this month, keep yourself and your family safe and avoid being a victim of crime as you are out shopping or at your own home. Keep any purchases hidden if left in your vehicle, think about moving your car if you go to drop something off during a day of shopping, and don’t leave boxes out for trash collection that advertise that new purchase that is now in your home.
Stay tuned for details about our annual Save Lives Don’t DUI campaign. Plan ahead for a sober ride to and from your festivities, and we’ll help you get a discount. Last year, over 25,000 people took advantage of the offer, and we think that’s making a difference in the number of DUI arrests we see during the month of December.
Have a safe and happy Holiday Season! |
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Meet Tom Van Dorn:
MCAO’s First Responder Liaison Supervisor
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First responders are among the first to arrive and aid victims at accidents and crime scenes – and sometimes these same first responders are themselves the victims. These trusted authorities who regularly experience extreme conditions to protect the community and its citizens unfortunately often find themselves as victims of assault, gun-related crimes, vehicle accidents, robberies and more. These brave and heroic first responders often require services like crisis intervention, counseling and community referrals and like other victims of crime need help navigating the criminal justice process.
Tom Van Dorn recently joined the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office as First Responder Liaison Supervisor to enhance the work MCAO is doing with the first responder community.
Continue Reading »
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Online Payment Portal Available for
“Bad-Check” Restitution Payments
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Each day, thousands of checks are written to pay for goods or services - yet many are not honored when presented at the bank, usually due to insufficient funds. Hard-working merchants and others go unpaid.
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office (MCAO) has had a long-standing program to pursue these “bad-check writers” and have them pay restitution - even if it means taking them to court.
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MCAO at the 2019 Phoenix Veterans Day Parade
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Maricopa County Attorney Allister Adel and staff volunteers participated in the 2019 Phoenix Veterans Day Parade to honor those who have served and sacrificed in defense of our freedom.
The entry featured a truck provided by the Bulk Fuel Company C, 6th Engineer Support Battalion, United States Marine Corps, with decorations that were a tribute to the heroic service and selfless sacrifice of well-known Arizonans. Staff volunteers walked with the truck, handing out red, white and blue strands of beads to kids along the parade route.
Continue Reading and See the Full Photo Gallery » |
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James Roche Recognized as
AZNOA Prosecutor of the Year
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The Drug Enforcement Bureau (DEB) is one of the largest, busiest bureaus at the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office. The dangerous cases these 14 specially-trained prosecutors handle include the sale, production and transport of drugs through Maricopa County, trafficking cases, large-scale drug and wire cases, homicides, robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes.
Recently, the Arizona Narcotic Officers Association (ANOA) recognized one of these DEB prosecutors, James Roche, as “Arizona Narcotic Officers Association Prosecutor of the Year.” James has been a prosecutor with MCAO for more than 7 years and in that time has demonstrated tremendous dedication and teamwork with investigators. His Bureau Chief Jeff Beaver proudly reports, “During the course of two detailed investigations this year, James’ outstanding work helped lead to the team to achieving large seizures of drugs, money and other racketeering proceeds.”
Continue Reading »
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MCAO at the 2019 Walk Like MADD 5K
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 On November 3, MCAO volunteers walked to support Mothers Against Drunk Driving 2019 Walk Like MADD 5K at Kiwanis Park in Tempe.
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Sojourner Center Charity Drive
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 During October, as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, MCAO employees collected new socks and underwear to help children escaping domestic violence situations in Maricopa County. This month MCAO volunteers delivered several boxes of the much-needed clothing to the Sojourner Center in Phoenix.
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Learn More About Criminal Justice at the
MCAO Citizens Academy
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If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be a prosecutor, or how a criminal case gets to trial, our Citizens Academy is for you. Applications are now being accepted for winter and spring sessions.
The Citizens Academy takes you behind the scenes to show how a case progresses from the initial investigation through final sentencing. You’ll sit in on courtroom proceedings, take a tour of the jail, and learn about trial exhibits, cold case investigations and more.
Classes last one full day, and upcoming dates are listed below. Classes fill up fast, so apply early.
Upcoming Dates
January 16, 2020
February 20, 2020
March 19, 2020
April 16, 2020
May 14, 2020 For more information and to register, visit:
MaricopaCountyAttorney.org/Academy
*Applications due 4 weeks before class date.
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Cases of Community Interest
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Luis Aldana Found Guilty of the Attempted Murder of a DPS Trooper
Luis Aldana has been convicted on several charges stemming from an incident during which he shot at an Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) Trooper. Charges included Attempted 2nd Degree Murder, Aggravated Assault, Drive-By Shooting and Misconduct Involving Weapons. The defendant was on Community Supervision release from the Arizona Department of Corrections at the time he committed these offenses and is prohibited from possessing a firearm.
“The defendant made an extremely depraved decision when he sought to end the life of a law enforcement officer to avoid arrest,” said County Attorney Allister Adel. “The jury’s finding of guilt on all charges makes our community a safer place and sends the message that violence toward law enforcement will not be tolerated.”
» View Full Story « |
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Leonard Bacon, Jr. Sentenced to Life for Attempted Murder of a Corrections Officer
Leonard Bacon, Jr. has been sentenced to Life in the Department of Corrections for the 2018 attempted 1st Degree Murder of a Corrections Officer. Bacon admitted to stabbing the officer with the intent to kill him.
“Corrections officers risk their safety every day to serve a very important role in our system to ensure public safety,” said County Attorney Allister Adel. “I am grateful that the officer survived his injuries and that this dangerous offender has been held accountable for this callous act.”
» View Full Story « |
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