ANDREW P. THOMAS Maricopa County Attorney Maricopa County Attorney’s Office Downtown (Main Number) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301 W. Jefferson Street • Phoenix, AZ 85003 (602) 506-3411 Southeast Facility (Main Number) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222 E. Javelina, Suite 2400 • Mesa, AZ 85210 (602) 506-2600 Juvenile Division Eastside Office (Main Number) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 540 W. Iron Avenue, Suite 110 • Mesa, AZ 85210 (480) 962-8002 Juvenile Division Westside Office (Main Number) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3501 W. Osborn Avenue • Phoenix, AZ 85019 (602) 455-3877 Wells Fargo Facility (Main Number) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 W. Washington, 21st Floor • Phoenix, AZ 85003 (602) 372-7350 Civil Division . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222 N. Central Avenue, Suite 1100 • Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 506-8541 www.maricopacountyattorney.org Specific Information on Programs of Interest Kids in Court Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (602) 506-8522 Media Relations . . . . . . . . . . . (602) 506-3411 Speakers Bureau . . . . . . . . . . . (602) 506-7799 Drug Free AZ . . . . . . . . . . . . . (602) 506-7630 Adoptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (480) 962-8002 Community Action Bureau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (602) 506-3411 Victim Services Division . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (602) 506-8522 Victim Compensation Bureau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (602) 506-4955 Hotlines Graffiti . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (602) 262-7327 Hate Crimes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (602) 506-5000 Illegal Dumping . . . . . . . . . . . (602) 506-6616 Slumlord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (602) 372-7586 It is my pleasure to report that this year, my first as Maricopa County Attorney, has been full of progressive change. I have worked to strengthen this office’s commitment to the highest priority of government: public safety. To better reflect this commitment, the motto of our office has been changed to “Let Justice Be Done.” This motto summarizes our office’s main professional mission and aspiration. In 2005, our office has instituted or pursued important reforms that I believe will help our office better serve the community and ensure personal security for the citizens of Maricopa County. We have ended plea bargaining as we know it for serious violent crimes. This “plead to the lead” policy sends a clear and simple message to would-be violent offenders that violent crime means hard time. We’ve launched a public information campaign to inform the public about identity theft and the dangers posed by methamphetamines. We’ve successfully advocated at the state legislature stronger laws targeting identity theft. Our office helped bring together Valley police agencies in forging a comprehensive new protocol for investigating cases of identity theft. We hosted the Southwest Conference on Illegal Immigration, Border Security and Crime, and helped lead the fight to make human trafficking a crime under state law. We’ve worked to prevent the spread of the deadly West Nile Virus by prosecuting owners of stagnant green pools. We’ve created a special task force to prosecute animal cruelty cases. We’ve also devoted much effort to improving day-today operations at MCAO. The Prosecutor Pay Initiative and resulting pay raises for MCAO attorneys will enhance our ability to retain our experienced prosecutors. Pay-forperformance raises for other MCAO staff have helped ensure that employees who do their work competently and well will be rewarded with increased compensation. We have brought meaningful improvements into our communications and workday processes with voicemail and flextime. We have adjusted our internal organization to improve efficiencies and enhance our service to the community. It is an honor to serve as Maricopa County Attorney and to work to make sure that justice is done in our courts. Sincerely, Andrew P. Thomas Maricopa County Attorney 1 The Task at Hand Maricopa County’s rapidly increasing population now stands at more than 3.5 million people. The County Attorney currently prosecutes approximately 40,000 felonies a year, plus 5,000 misdemeanors. With more than one felony per 100 people, each and every year, crime is now a significant part of our culture. Selected Adult Felony Filings by Offense Type Filings CY 04 CY 05 257 286 11.3% 85 120 41.2% Child Molestation 341 362 6.2% Robbery 733 878 19.8% Aggravated Assault 2,666 3,072 15.2% Burglary 2,122 2,069 –2.5% 26 42 61.5% Vehicular Theft 2,373 2,758 16.2% DUI 2,830 2,897 2.4% 995 1,238 24.4% Drug Related 15,439 15,911 3.1% Total 27,867 29,633 6.3% Homicide Sexual Assault Arson Theft % Change The number of felony filings represents data as of 3/7/2006 and is subect to change. Source: County Attorney Information System Selected Juvenile Filings by Offense Type Filings CY 04 CY 05 % Change Homicide 1 2 100.0% Sexual Assault 6 13 116.7% Child Molestation 98 108 10.2% Robbery 48 65 35.4% Aggravated Assault 376 477 26.9% Burglary 516 498 –3.5% 16 20 25.0% 631 557 –11.7% 56 46 –17.9% Theft 1,807 1,619 –10.4% Drug Related 1,355 1,205 –11.1% Other 3,128 3,022 –3.4 Total 8,038 7,632 –5.05% Arson Vehicular Theft DUI The number of felony filings represents data as of 1/13/2006 and is subect to change. Source: County Attorney Information System 2 Plead to the Lead This year a new policy of “plead to the lead” has been put in place in which defendants in most cases are not given the opportunity to negotiate and “plea down” charges for serious offenses. They must plead to the most serious (lead) charge or face trial on that charge. The list of crimes which are not eligible for plea bargain are as follows: second degree murder manslaughter aggravated assault with injury or a weapon sexual assault arson of an occupied structure armed robbery first degree burglary kidnapping drive-by shooting discharging a weapon at an occupied structure prisoners who assault with intent to incite riot County Attorney Andrew Thomas speaks to the media after unveiling the new “Plead to the Lead” policy at a press conference in 2005. Annually, prosecutors' offices in large districts closed over 1 million felony cases, with a median conviction rate of 85%. (Bureau of Justice Statistics) Year after year, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office exceeds this with conviction rates ranging from 85% to 88%. 3 ID Theft: Public Information Campaign Arizona is number one in the nation for identity theft. The demand for stolen identities is high in Maricopa County, where various factors create a “perfect storm” of widespread ID theft. Our response to date has been to educate the public on how they can protect themselves, strengthen the laws against ID theft, and crack down on meth and illegal immigration, both of which fuel the identity theft problem. An employee from the County Attorney’s Office watches the shredder at Weyerhaeuser Recycling and Destruction Center in May 2005. The County Attorney’s Office partnered with local businesses and Channel 12 news to publicize the ‘Shred-a-Thon’ events which allowed the public to bring documents to shred free of charge. More than 450 people brought boxes of personal information for destruction resulting in nearly 26 tons of material collected throughout the day. County Attorney Andrew Thomas speaks to concerned citizens about the dangers of ID theft and the importance of protecting personal information. 4 ID Theft: Law Enforcement Responds ID Theft: The Legislature Responds State, local and federal agencies worked together this year to establish a protocol for investigating cases of identity theft, the first of its kind. The protocol establishes practices and procedures to improve the way law enforcement agencies work together to protect the public from identity theft. A new law now recognizes the crime of aggravated identity theft (when a person steals the identities of five or more people) and makes it a class three felony. The new law also defines the crime of trafficking in stolen identities (when a criminal sells or transfers stolen identifying information), making it a class two felony. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office helped draft this legislation and lobbied for it. Accompanied by representatives of every police force in the county, the county sheriff, and a number of federal officials, Andrew Thomas announces the unanimously-agreed-upon ID theft protocol. Under this agreement, every victim’s report of ID theft will be taken. Every report will be filed, and every report will be acted on and shared with other jurisdictions within the county. 5 Illegal Immigration: Law Enforcement A new state law, A.R.S. § 13-2319, makes it a crime to intentionally engage in the smuggling of human beings for profit or commercial purpose. The newly enacted statute defines “smuggling of human beings” as “the transportation or procurement of transportation by a person or an entity that knows or has reason to know that the person or persons transported or to be transported are not United States citizens, permanent resident aliens or persons otherwise lawfully in this state.” The person who engages in the smuggling, commonly referred to as a “coyote,” is guilty of a class 4 felony. The County Attorney’s Office lobbied the legislature to pass this law. In response to a request by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, a formal legal opinion was issued interpreting the provisions of ARS § 13-2319, Arizona’s new human smuggling law. The opinion makes clear that both coyotes and illegal immigrants who willingly agree to be transported by a paid coyote may be arrested and detained in the county jail. Specifically, the opinion provides that: • If deputies of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office have probable cause to believe that illegal immigrants have intentionally allowed themselves to be smuggled by a paid human smuggler, or “coyote,” deputies may arrest the illegal immigrants as well as the coyote pursuant to Arizona’s new anti-coyote law, ARS § 13-2319. • Arizona peace officers have the authority to ask presumed illegal immigrants about their immigration status. • When there is probable cause to believe illegal immigrants have violated Arizona’s anti-coyote law by committing a preparatory offense to that 6 law under the state’s criminal code, the illegal immigrants may be arrested and charged with these crimes, held in custody pending posting of bail or resolution of the charges and made available to testify in the interim (although the illegal immigrants may invoke the Fifth Amendment right to remain silent and other constitutional rights). The illegal immigrants may be housed in the Maricopa County Jail. After the law went into effect, the Maricopa County Attorney urged both the Governor and Attorney General to instruct the Department of Public Safety and all state sworn peace officers and attorneys to fully enforce the new anti-coyote law. Illegal Immigration: No Bail for Illegal Immigrants The County Attorney announced his support of, and helped draft, an amendment to the Arizona Constitution that would prohibit bail for illegal immigrants accused of serious felonies. Many criminal cases cannot be prosecuted because the offender was an illegal immigrant who posted bail and either was deported by the federal government or became a fugitive. Illegal immigrants accused of serious felonies too often post bail and then fail to return to court, choosing to lose their bail money rather than going to trial. Some do come back to the United States, but to commit more crime. The new measure would add to the current list of no-bail crimes other serious felony offenses such as kidnapping, armed robbery, or aggravated assault when committed by someone in the U.S. illegally. The legislature voted to place the measure on the ballot in November 2006. Southwest Conference on Illegal Immigration, Border Security and Crime The County Attorney hosted what remains perhaps the nation’s most comprehensive public policy forum to date devoted to America’s illegal immigration crisis. The two-day conference, attended by over 300 participants, offered topics on the following subjects: The Effects of Illegal Immigration on States and Communities The Effects of Illegal Immigration on Public Safety Federal Immigration Reform, Real Solutions or “Amnesty”? The speakers included public officials, scholars, journalists, and representatives of interest groups: William Boyes, Professor of Economics, Arizona State University Glynn Custred, Professor of Anthropology, California State East Bay Larry Dever, Cochise County Sheriff Eleanor Eisenberg, former Executive Director, Arizona ACLU John Fund, Wall Street Journal Frank Gaffney, Center for Security Policy Steve Gallardo, District 13, Arizona House of Representatives Congressman J.D. Hayworth, Fifth District, Arizona Tamar Jacoby, Manhattan Institute Bill King, former director, Border Patrol Academy; former acting director, Immigration Academy; former chief patrol agent, Border Patrol, Mexicali sector Kris Kobach, former counsel to U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft Mark Krikorian, Center for Immigration Studies John Leo, U.S. News and World Report Ben Miranda, Arizona House of Representatives Pete Nuñez, Former U.S. Attorney, Southern District of California Rick Oltman, Federation for American Immigration Reform Danny Ortega, Board Member, Los Abogados Hispanic Bar Association Russell Pearce, District 18, Arizona House of Representatives Joe Sigg, Arizona Farm Bureau Congressman Tom Tancredo, Sixth Congressional District of Colorado Debbie Schlussel, Political Commentator Andrew P. Thomas, Maricopa County Attorney Transcripts and video clips of the conference are available at www.immigrationconference.com. Should Local Law Enforcement Help to Curb Illegal Immigration? A large number of prominent experts representing a wide range of perspectives on this important topic participated in the conference. The event proved to be a comprehensive forum of leaders who take the crisis seriously and were prepared to discuss and exchange their views. 1 County Attorney Andrew Thomas speaks to the media during the November 2005 Southwest Conference on Illegal Immigration Border Security and Crime. 2 Keynote speaker Representative Tom Tancredo of the Sixth Congressional District of Colorado speaks to conference attendees on immigration issues. 1 2 7 The poster below demonstrates the devastating physical effects of meth use to one woman over a 10-year period. As part of the County Attorney’s comprehensive drug prevention campaign, this poster was displayed at local sporting events throughout the valley. Methamphetamine The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office created a public awareness campaign to highlight the meth user’s physical transformation. The “Extreme Meth Over” television commercial received widespread public attention and praise. The County Attorney supported new laws to tighten restrictions on possession of meth ingredients. Legislation enacted in 2005 makes it a class two felony to knowingly manufacture methamphetamine under any circumstance that causes physical injury to a minor under 15 years of age. 1 Using an edgy approach targeting teen viewers and a satirical 70’s game show format, an MCAO-sponsored commercial shows the negative consequences of methamphetamine use. 2 Methamphetamine is commonly smoked using a pipe similar to the one pictured. 3 The powder form of methamphetamine. Meth is also produced in liquid, pill and “rock” form, known as ice. 2 1 8 3 DrugFree AZ The Drug Free AZ web site underwent some dramatic changes this year. The current, user-friendly drugfreeaz.com features an ask the expert section, a calendar of events and an updated drug identification section. In addition, Drug Free AZ created two original television commercials that send a clear message — drugs destroy lives and endanger the community. While Drug Free AZ changes for the better, we will never have a change of heart. Our mission is to encourage parents to talk to their children about drugs on a regular basis. We continue to distribute our Handy Helpful Handbook: A Parents Guide to Drug Prevention by the thousands, handing out more than 20,000 in 2005. Our commitment to educating parents about the drugs in their children’s world remains unwavering. Last year, the Drug Free AZ team conducted dozens of parent presentations and spoke to thousands of students across Maricopa County. 1 1 Cameo Cross and Jeff Reynolds, winners of the 2005 DrugfreeAZ Super Star Search Contest perform for the audience. Contestants were asked to perform an original presentation that reflects their anti-drug message. 2 Judges for the 2005 DrugfreeAZ Super Star Search Contest watch and listen as the top 25 contestants perform their anti-drug at the annual event. 2 9 Protecting the Public: West Nile Virus Fourteen people died in Maricopa County as a result of West Nile Virus in 2004 while 355 were infected. The West Nile Virus is a deadly disease carried by mosquitoes that breed in standing water, such as neglected swimming pools. In February 2005, the County Attorney announced his decision to prosecute aggravated offenders who fail, after being warned, to remove or properly treat stagnant pool water. As part of a comprehensive effort by Maricopa County, prosecutors will seek civil and criminal remedies against individuals who fail to comply with repeated requests to rectify the problems on their property. As soon as the enforcement began, the public became more aware of the problem as news media reported that two men pled guilty to failing to maintain their swimming pools. They were ordered to pay $1,800 and were placed on probation. All the criminal prosecutions were initiated against pool owners who had ignored warnings and citations from public health officials. At any given time, there are 8,000 – 10,000 abandoned swimming pools in Maricopa County. These are on abandoned properties; homes up for sale; on properties of residents who are only here for part of the year; and are simply not cared for by residents. All residents of Maricopa County are being urged to take appropriate precautions to make their homes and neighborhoods safe from disease-carrying mosquitoes. Before and after photos of properties that were cleaned up after being cited for failure to respond to warnings from public health officials about the stagnant pool water on their property. Before After Before After 10 CSI Effect Prosecutor Turnover Faced with a number of reports from prosecutors who witnessed first-hand the influence of fictional television programs on jury’s expectations about evidence in criminal trials, the County One prosecutor was Attorney commissioned quoted in the report as the largest study in the saying, “Juries always nation that confirmed the prefer scientific evi“significant impact” televidence, but if you are lucky enough to have sion forensic crime dramas DNA/fingerprints, then it are having on juries in is unlikely that the case criminal trials in Maricopa will go to trial — the County. The phenomenon defendant is going to plead guilty.” is commonly called the “CSI Effect.” The study found that 38 percent of prosecutors believed they had at least one trial which resulted in either an acquittal or hung jury when forensic evidence was not available to corroborate testimony that should have been sufficient by itself to sustain a conviction. Although verdicts have not yet noticeably changed from guilty to not guilty, prosecutors have had to take more and more pre-emptive steps to divert juries from reliance on television-induced expectations. Experienced prosecutors are a critical component of any prosecutor’s office. When inexperienced prosecutors square off against experienced criminal defense attorneys in court, inevitably justice must suffer. Unfortunately, in 2005, experienced prosecutors were fast becoming an endangered species in the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office. Since fiscal year 1999, attorneys, mainly criminal prosecutors, were leaving the office at an average rate of 17 percent. After the County Attorney conducted a study of the causes of this problem and offered a detailed presentation to the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, the board approved additional funding to make prosecutor salaries more competitive with those of other prosecutor’s offices. 1 The graph below illustrates the percentage of attorneys who terminated employment with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office each fiscal year since FY 2001-02. 2 Cartoonist Mike Ritter vividly illustrates the plight of an attorney in the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office in the East Valley Tribune. 1 2 11 Animal Cruelty The LEAP taskforce poses for a picture with “Biscuit” the dog at a press conference announcing its formation. At the request of the Arizona Humane Society, the County Attorney formed the Law Enforcement for Animal Protection (LEAP) task force to improve communications between police and prosecutors and train law enforcement and justice system personnel to better handle animal cruelty cases. The County Attorney’s Office also has taken other steps to combat animal cruelty. A prosecutor has been designated to handle animal cruelty cases. The office has increased efforts focusing on prevention, education and outreach on animal cruelty issues. The office, working with LEAP, also works to track animal cruelty cases in Arizona and keep up with the latest prosecution methods across the nation. A dedicated Animal Cruelty Enforcement Liaison was created for the County Attorney’s Office to work with other law enforcement agencies as well as private sector groups to enforce Arizona’s laws against cruelty to animals. 1 “Sandy’s” paws were brutally injured when she was tied to the back of her owner’s truck and dragged for nearly a mile. “Sandy’s” owner was charged with one felony count of animal cruelty. After signing a plea agreement, he lost custody of “Sandy” and she was adopted after making a complete recovery. 2 ”Sandy” is pictured with one of the members of her new family. 1 2 12 DUI Website: “Sobering Sentences” Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs continues to be a significant public safety problem in Maricopa County. Educating the public about the consequences of DUI is the goal of www.stopDUIaz.com. The site contains helpful reminders as well as explanations of the consequences of DUI, Aggravated DUI, and Extreme DUI. A major feature of the site is the profiles of actual DUI offenders. Names, photographs and the “sobering sentences” given to those convicted of DUI are displayed prominently on the site, which promises to help discourage those who may otherwise commit a DUI offense. Race-Based Courts Joined by the leader of the Maricopa County NAACP, the County Attorney called for an end to racial segregation which occurs in some of the courts in Maricopa County. The “Spanish DUI” court specifically profiles Hispanics in the judicial process, as does the special court for Native Americans. Current research is being performed that may result in legal action to challenge the constitutionality of these courts. 1 3 2 1 The passenger in this vehicle sustained life threatening injuries when the intoxicated driver lost control. The defendant’s blood alcohol level was .118 and he admitted to drinking 10 beers before getting behind the wheel. 2 One of the first sites of its kind in the United States, this innovative website illustrates the consequences of driving while intoxicated in Maricopa County. 3 Rev. Oscar Tillman of the Arizona NAACP joined the County Attorney in calling for an end to race-based courts. 13 Legislation Supported by the County Attorney’s Office (highlights) 2005 LEGISLATIVE ISSUES Senate Bill 1429; Capital Cases Adds three aggravating circumstances that a jury shall consider in determining whether to impose a sentence of death, expands the definition of “serious” offense” to include burglary in the second degree and terrorism, redefines “victim” in both juvenile and adult victims’ rights sections, adds statutory language clarifying the respective burdens of proof in aggravation and mitigation, and authorizes a trained psychiatrist to conduct a capital defendant prescreening evaluation for competency and sanity. Senate Bill 1040; Sexual Assault on a Spouse Abolishes the sexual assault of a spouse statute and the spousal defense to prosecution of sexual assault; establishes the crime of false reporting of sexual assault involving a spouse; and requires the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission (ACJC) to provide a report on these crimes. SB 1433; Victims’ Rights Provides that if a criminal offense has been charged but the count/counts have been dismissed as the result of a plea agreement where the defendant is pleading or has pled to other charges, the victim of the offenses that resulted in the dismissed counts may exercise all rights of a crime victim throughout the criminal justice process. (Applies in both juvenile and adult proceedings.) Requires the prosecutor to notify the probation department if the victim requested rights. The prosecutor must forward to the probation department information that the prosecutor possesses enabling the probation department to carry out its duties. SB 1473; Precursor Chemicals; Dangerous Drugs; Bail Creates the crime of manufacturing methamphetamine under any circumstance that causes physical injury to a child and prescribes penalties. SB 1382; Sex Offenders Registration States that any person who is required to register as a sex offender by their convicting jurisdiction must also register in Arizona within ten days of moving to the state. 14 SB 1052; Protecting Children: Fetal Homicide The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office helped draft and lobbied for the passage of Arizona’s new fetal homicide law (A.R.S. § 13-1104). Often referred to as Arizona’s Laci and Conner Peterson law, after the California woman and her unborn child who were murdered by Scott Peterson in 2002, the law makes it a crime to cause the death of an unborn child when the attacker intentionally causes the death of the mother. The attacker need not be aware of the pregnancy to be charged in the death of the child. Under this law, Jorge Mario Gurrolla (d.o.b. 4-5-82) was indicted for the murder of his girlfriend, Monica Sanchez, and her unborn child on September 4, 2005. The murder charge for the death of the unborn child is the first case to be prosecuted under the new fetal homicide law. HCR 2028; No Bail A referendum measure that excludes a person who has been charged with a serious felony offense from being eligible for bail if the person has entered or remained in the United States illegally and the proof is evident or the presumption great as to the charge. SB 1058; Identity Theft Establishes the crimes of aggravated identity theft and trafficking in the identity of a person or entity and prescribes penalties. High-Profile Cases Parvin the Pirate In the first ever state prosecution of an internet intellectual property piracy case, Parvin Dhaliwal of Mesa was charged with uploading digital copies of recently released movies and music. He has entered a guilty plea to possession of counterfeit marks, or having unauthorized copies of intellectual property, a felony. The illegally copied property included movies that at the time of their theft were available only in theaters. Dahliwal was sentenced to three months of imprisonment, three years probation, two hundred hours of community service and a $5,400.00 fine. He was also ordered to take a copyright class at the University of Arizona, where he is a student, and to avoid file sharing computer programs. puter in the public library. He admitted printing it on the color printer in the public library. He admitted cataloging it and adding it to his child pornography collection. Ward pled guilty to two counts, including sexual exploitation of a minor, and is currently in prison completing a sentence of 28 years. State v. Ricky Wassenaar Voter fraud: non-citizens and felons Ten non-citizens were charged with falsely filing voter registration forms, four of whom proceeded to cast ballots in an election. Twelve convicted felons, who automatically lost the right to vote upon conviction, were also charged with the crime of false filing. The possibility of fraud was discovered by the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office and the Jury Commissioner when the registered voters were called for jury duty but replied they were ineligible because they were not citizens. Illegal voting is a class five felony punishable by incarceration for up to 2.5 years. State v. Charlton Ward Charlton Ward is the sex offender whose crimes led to a change in the Internet access policies of the City of Phoenix public libraries. In 1997, Ward was convicted of attempted molestation of a child, a felony. After his release, Phoenix police officers found him in possession of a large amount of child pornography, including those involving children and infants. He admitted downloading this child pornography from the Internet, using a com- Ricky Wassenaar is one of two defendants charged in the Lewis Prison standoff where he and another inmate, Stephen Coy, held two corrections officers captive for fifteen days. Wassenaar was serving his second sentence on armed robbery charges when he and his cellmate, Coy, fought their way out of the prison unit's kitchen on Jan. 18, 2004, and took two correctional officers hostage. During the siege, the longest in U.S. history, Wassenaar told negotiators by phone that he and Coy were trying to escape. They surrendered fifteen days later, after reaching an agreement with negotiators that they would be transferred to prisons out of state, closer to their families. Coy pleaded guilty to several counts, was sentenced to seven consecutive life sentences and transferred to a prison in Maine. During his trial, Wassenaar maintained that he was not trying to escape, but rather, trying to draw attention to his repeatedly denied requests to be transferred to a prison in the Midwest. After a scant five hours of deliberation, a Maricopa County Superior Court jury brought back 19 guilty verdicts out of 20 criminal counts stemming from his January 2004, siege at the state prison near Buckeye. State v. Ian Branham This defendant is the last of six defendants to be convicted in the high profile “Tempe 6” gang rape case from 2003. Five defendants pled guilty, three testified against the remaining defendants. Branham was convicted on all five counts as charged (four sex assaults; one kidnapping). 15 unofficial ceremony in 1994 when she was 11. The girl lived with her mother and stepfather in Phoenix, Peoria and Sunrise when the abuse is said to have occurred. Stanley Rimer was found guilty at trial of multiple sexual offenses and was sentenced to spend 139 years in prison for his crimes. State v. Steven Boggs Steven Boggs received three death sentences for his role in the robbery and murder of three individuals at a Mesa fast-food restaurant in 2002. Boggs was found guilty in the robbery of a Jack in the Box restaurant and the killing of three employees inside the restaurant. Boggs later told police in a letter that his motive “was to rid the world of a few needless illegals.” Prosecutors said that Boggs and a co-defendant claimed to be members of a militia that professed racism. State v. Stanley Rimer This case involved a Utah couple accused of forcing an 11-year-old girl into a polygamous marriage with her stepfather. Stanley Rimer and his wife, Janice, were charged with molestation of a child and sexual conduct with a minor. The girl was Janice Rimer's daughter, who prosecutors said was forced to marry Stanley Rimer in an 16 State v. Corey Morris This was a high profile, serial murder death penalty case involving the murders of five transient prostitutes in the Garfield District. The discovery of a decomposing body in a camper led police to the defendant’s arrest in the deaths of at least five prostitutes found dead near Phoenix’s red light district in a nine month period. The defendant was convicted on all counts and sentenced to death. Maricopa County Attorney’s Office Downtown (Main Number) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301 W. Jefferson Street • Phoenix, AZ 85003 (602) 506-3411 Southeast Facility (Main Number) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222 E. Javelina, Suite 2400 • Mesa, AZ 85210 (602) 506-2600 Juvenile Division Eastside Office (Main Number) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 540 W. Iron Avenue, Suite 110 • Mesa, AZ 85210 (480) 962-8002 Juvenile Division Westside Office (Main Number) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3501 W. Osborn Avenue • Phoenix, AZ 85019 (602) 455-3877 Wells Fargo Facility (Main Number) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 W. Washington, 21st Floor • Phoenix, AZ 85003 (602) 372-7350 Civil Division . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222 N. Central Avenue, Suite 1100 • Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 506-8541 www.maricopacountyattorney.org Specific Information on Programs of Interest Kids in Court Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (602) 506-8522 Media Relations . . . . . . . . . . . (602) 506-3411 Speakers Bureau . . . . . . . . . . . (602) 506-7799 Drug Free AZ . . . . . . . . . . . . . (602) 506-7630 Adoptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (480) 962-8002 Community Action Bureau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (602) 506-3411 Victim Services Division . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (602) 506-8522 Victim Compensation Bureau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (602) 506-4955 Hotlines Graffiti . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (602) 262-7327 Hate Crimes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (602) 506-5000 Illegal Dumping . . . . . . . . . . . (602) 506-6616 Slumlord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (602) 372-7586 ANDREW P. THOMAS Maricopa County Attorney