“Spiritual warrior” James Ray was found guilty today of three counts of negligent homicide in the deaths of three people at a 2009 “self-help” retreat near Sedona, during which he guided dozens of people into a poorly ventilated “sweat lodge” and discouraged them from leaving when they felt sick.Ray could…
Jackass star Ryan Dunn is dead, but there’s no shortage of Jackasses at the Westboro Baptist Church.The Kansas-based clan of kooks — known for its fear of fagalas — announced this week that they plan to protest Dunn’s funeral. The reason: he once stuck a toy car up his ass…
Ocean Spray Cranberries thief James Repetto probably wishes he was still “lost at sea.”Repetto was in a Massachusettes federal court this morning where he was sentenced to five years in prison for stealing more than $1 million from the cranberry juice giant through a mail-fraud scam — which is a fairly…
For anyone in need of a good laugh, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio issued a press release this morning with the headline “Sheriff Arpaio Says His Office Enjoying Exceptional Times.”We’ll say…2011 has proven to be quite “exceptional” for the MCSO — it’s not often a sheriff’s office costs TAXPAYERS nearly…
Keith Kiefer, one of two men arrested earlier this year for trying to solicit a dog for sex via-Craigslist, was in Maricopa County Superior Court this morning where he was sentenced to two years’ probation after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit bestiality.Kiefer pleaded guilty to the crime in May…
In the past week, Gilbert police — under the leadership of Chief Tim Dorn — have raided the home of a qualifying medical marijuana patient, arrested another patient, and busted up a pot-patient co-op in Tempe.As we’ve pointed out, it seems the Gilbert Police Department is going rogue with its arrests…
Since our previous post about 53-year-old John Szakin, a registered sex offender/admitted serial flasher, the Scottsdale Police Department confirms to New Times that he’s suspected of being the same guy who was photographed walking through Scottsdale wearing nothing but a hat and shoes in June of last year.As we noted…
A Chandler meth head accused of murdering his 3-week-old daughter has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.In addition to pleading guilty to murder, 27-year-old Brian Hopf pleaded guilty to child abuse for assaults that include poking the infant girl, Isabella, in the eyes.Hopf was initially charged with first-degree murder and was…
Valley Metro is taking some heat this week over several fights that have gone down on Light Rail trains recently, videos of which later appeared on YouTube.12 News is trying to get to the bottom of an alleged lack of appropriate security on the “Fight Rail,” and includes in its story brief…
Registered sex offender John Szakin’s got a hobby: at least once a week for the past year, he’s gone to downtown Scottsdale early in the morning with the sole purpose of flashing women as they left bars.Early Sunday morning, about 1:30, Szakin was on the prowl near Fifth Avenue and…
Mesa police arrested a man they say is responsible for a fatal hit-and-run incident early Sunday morning, during which one of the victims’ legs was severed.The leg, however, was not found at the scene.Police suspected the leg might have become attached to the vehicle that hit the two 25-year-old victims,…
As the saying goes, you have to spend money to make money. In Maricopa County’s case, it has to spend money just to make sure Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio spends taxpayer cash properly.The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors adopted a $2.3 billion budget yesterday, $1.65 million of which isn’t…
A Phoenix man who called 9-1-1 to report a fake bomb scare, then started shooting at responding officers before getting capped by the cops, has survived his gunshot wounds — and now he’s in some serious trouble.Phoenix’s Derek Eckles, 28, was released from the hospital Saturday and booked into the…
If the headline of this post seems like a stupid question, that’s because it is.Of course 37-year-old high school track coach — and illegal immigrant living in the United States for the last 22 years — Miguel Aparicio shouldn’t have been deported. He’s not a gang-banger, he’s not a drug…
The United States Attorney’s Office announced today that a man who killed his unborn baby has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for voluntary manslaughter.Fernando Woody, 28, of Fort Defiance pleaded guilty to the crime in March…
There’s a new addition to Arizona State University’s growing list of campus creepsters.The ASU Police Department warns students who live on campus about a man who — while wearing shorts and a T-shirt — claimed he was a police officer and entered the dorm of a female student.He didn’t take…
Maricopa County has a problem: It’s animal shelters are “overflowing” with chihuahuas.An earlier chihuahua infestation hit the Valley in December 2009. More on that here. According to Maricopa County Animal Care and Control, there are about 200 chihuahuas currently bedding down in the county’s shelters, and they all need a home…
A former teacher at a Mesa elementary school pleaded guilty today to charges that he attempted to molest a 7-year-old girl in the band room of the school where he worked and the girl was a student. Michael Lamonica, a former music teacher at Mesa’s Brinton Elementary School, pleaded guilty…
A man is dead and his leg is now missing following a hit and run incident early yesterday morning.According to the Mesa Police Department, cops were called to the 400 block of West Broadway Raod about 2:30 a.m. yesterday after two men reportedly were hit by a car.The responding officers found…
Look out Joe Arpaio, there’s, um, a new “toughest sheriff” around here.Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu was named the National Sheriff of the Year by the National Sheriff’s Association over the weekend, much thanks to his crusade to rid his county of illegal immigrants.Like Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Babeu is…
Senator John McCain on Saturday blamed wildfires currently raging in Arizona on illegal immigrants — without offering any proof to support his claim.”There is substantial evidence that some of these fires have been caused by people who have crossed our border illegally,” McCain said at a press conference. “They have…
Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords’ office announced today that she plans to spend Father’s Day in Tucson, which will be her first trip back to Arizona since she went to Texas for rehab after getting shot in the face during the January 8 Tucson shooting.”We’ve been dreaming of this trip for some…
