Category Archives: Law Enforcement

Matthew M. Figueroa Promoted to Commander of Detention Services

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640px-FigueroaFLAGSTAFF – Coconino County Sheriff Bill Pribil is pleased to announce that Lieutenant Matthew M. Figueroa has been promoted to the position of Commander of Detention Services for the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO). Matthew was one of several nationwide candidates who were selected to participate in the intensive testing and interviewing process. In addition, three other CCSO Detention Staff members also completed the testing and interview process. Sheriff Pribil said, “All of our candidates were highly qualified and represented the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office at the highest level. I wish to thank all of the candidates for their professionalism and leadership. Matthew Figueroa has served our agency for 18 years and brings a depth of knowledge and experience to the position of Commander of Detention Services.”

Matthew lives in Flagstaff with his wife Kimberly and their three sons Tyler, Tristen and Trace. He began his formal education at Arizona State University and transferred to Northern Arizona University where he obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice.

Matthew’s family has a strong commitment to the corrections profession. His father and his brother both retired from the Arizona Department of Corrections. He joined the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office in 1996, attended the state Correctional Officers Academy and began his career as a Detention Officer I. He served one year in that capacity and was then promoted to the position of Detention Officer II. While a detention officer, Matthew served as a court officer, transport officer, and he also worked in the intake and inmate housing operations. He served as a Detention Sergeant for 8 ½ years and then as a Detention Lieutenant for the past 8 years during which time he managed all aspects of the day to day operations of the Detention Facility.

In 2000 Commander Figueroa was assigned to the team that facilitated the transfer from the old jail located in downtown Flagstaff to the new facility located at 911 Sawmill Road. He assisted with the recruitment, screening and hiring of new detention staff as the demand for detention officers in the new facility was double the amount of officers who staffed the older facility. He was assigned to the construction site six months prior to the completion date and helped insure that all aspects of the project met specifications.

Prior to 2004, Detention Officers were required to attend a six to seven week Correctional Officers Academy at one of several locations throughout the state. This required the officers to be away from their homes and their families for an extended period of time. Lodging and other expenses proved to be quite costly to the Sheriff’s Office. In 2004 Matt led a team that developed a partnership with the Coconino Community College to develop a curriculum for an accredited basic detention officers’ academy. Students who complete the program not only not only are developed for their new job, they also receive 13 credit hours of college instruction which they can apply to professional development. The establishment of a local Detention Officer Academy represented a significant savings to the Sheriff’s Office and prevented participants from being separated from their homes and families, and also instills officers with long term career opportunities.

In 2012 Commander Figueroa attended and successfully completed a 40 hour National Jail Leadership Command Academy for jail commanders at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville Texas. This training is accredited by the American Jail Association and Correctional Management Institute of Texas. Matt also is nationally recognized as a Certified Jail Manager by the American Jail Association.

During his career Matt has received numerous recognitions and accolades for his dedication and service above and beyond the call of duty to include four National Public Service Recognition Awards, a Sheriff’s Citation for Meritorious Service, an Officer Achievement Award, Officer of the Year award and many others.

Commander Figueroa’s career certainly is in line with and exemplifies many of the goals and philosophies of the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office mission, vision, and values. We look forward to his continued participation in the leadership and future of our organization and service to the community.

71 Year Old Seligman Area Man Arrested for Homicide

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hollman, richardFLAGSTAFF – On Saturday, November 15, 2014 at approximately 10:00 AM, Richard Hollman called and reported he had shot his wife at a home located west of Seligman, AZ . Arizona Department of Public Safety and Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office officers had units closer to the area and responded to the scene first. They detained the suspect and confirmed the victim was deceased while Coconino County Sheriff’s deputies were in route. The suspect in the case is identified as 71 year old Richard Hollman. The victim was later identified as 62 year old Carol Sheansy.

Detectives of the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office investigated the scene and interviewed Hollman who implicated himself in the shooting death of Sheansy. Detectives obtained a search warrant for the residence and located a weapon believed to be used in the homicide along with over 20 pounds of high grade marijuana.

Hollman is currently being held in the Coconino County Detention Facility on a First Degree Murder charge; his bond has been set at $1,000,000. This incident is still under investigation and further details are not available for release at this time.

Scott Olson found deceased

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scott-01FLAGSTAFF – Lost hiker Scott Olson was found deceased at about 10:50 a.m. this morning on the north-west side of Humpries Peak. A search team assigned to that area spotted recent dog tracks and followed the tracks to where Faith, his dog, remained in close proximity to his master.

Mr. Olson’s body was located at an elevation greater than 10,000 feed downslope from a landmark know as Philomeno Spring. The cause of death was not readily apparen. Inestigators found no signs of foul play.

Faith was in good condition and taken down the mountain and returned to a member of the Scott family.

On Tuesday, November 11, 2014 Scott Olson left his cabin located in the Hart Prairie area and told his neighbors he was going for a hike in the meadow with his mixed breed dog “Faith.” That was the last time that his friends or family members saw or heard from him. Scott’s relatives reported him as a missing person on Wednesday afternoon.

The Sheriff’s Office initiated a ground and air search late Wednesday evening with searchers on foot and in vehicles looking for Mr. Olson all night.

Early Thursday morning a day time search was initiated that include searchers on foot, in vehicles, with scent dogs and in aircraft. Once again the search continued throughout the night.

On Friday morning the search group consisted of more than 50 individuals serving as searchers or support staff and air support provided by the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Department thanked the many friends and relatives of Mr. Olson who assisted in the search or provided valuable information and support.

Scott Olson served as a volunteer in the Coconino County Detention Facility for five years beginning October of 2009 providing ministry services for hundreds of inmates. His dedication and strong sense of community service was greatly appreciated by jail staff and the inmates he served. The investigation will be continued by Sheriff’s Detectives and the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Northern Arizona Gazette extends our condolences to the family of Olson Scott.

Male Subject Found Deceased Near Jolly Sink, North Kaibab Forest

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coco-sheriff-300pxFREDONIA – On September 13, 2014 deputies of the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Northern District received a report of a suspicious abandoned vehicle near the Jolly Sink area on the North Kaibab National Forest. A deputy from the Fredonia Substation responded and with the help of a local rancher located a deceased male subject at the bottom of a nearby cliff near the vehicle. The Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division responded to investigate the scene. The male subject was identified as a white male in his mid-fifties from out of state. Release of the identity of the male is pending notification of family members. The incident is currently under investigation by the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office as well as the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Coconino County Sheriff seeks information on lost person

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scott-01FLAGSTAFF – The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information regarding the whereabouts of 63 year old Scott Olson. Scott was last known to be at his cabin in the Hart Prairie area on Tuesday 11/11/14.

Oldon told family/friends he was going for a hike in the meadow. Scott would have taken his dog with him but has not been seen or heard from since. Scott’s car is at his cabin and his cell phone appears to be turned off.

Scott is a white male, 6′ 3″, 195 pound with blue eyes and grey hair.

Anyone who has seen Scott Olson or has information regarding the disappearance or whereabouts of him and his dog is urged to call the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office at (928) 774-4523 or 800-338-7888.

$6,000 reward for shooters of DPS officer

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From Phoenix police Facebook Page:

DO NOT LEAVE ANY TIPS ON FACEBOOK.

UP TO $6,000 REWARD!!! Phoenix Police and Silent Witness are looking for the DPS Officer shooting suspect RAMON BUENO and investigative leads, Danny Vargas and Vanessa Martinez.

If you have any information regarding this case you may contact
Silent Witness at W-I-T-N-E-S-S, that’s 480-948-6377, or toll free
at 1-800-343-TIPS. You can also leave an anonymous tip on the silent witness website at silentwitness.org.
phoenix-suspects

Overdue Hiker on Kachina Trail Located

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coco-sheriff-300pxFLAGSTAFF – At 8:30 pm on Thursday, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office dispatched deputies to investigate a report of an overdue hiker on the Kachina Trail. The 55-year-old male was reportedly conducting a day hike with his dog along the Kachina Trail. He was reported overdue by his girlfriend when he did not return by late afternoon as expected.

Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Unit members responded to the location and conducted search operations throughout the evening. During the search they located clues indicating the path he had traveled near the Weatherford Trail. Search operations continued into the early morning hours this morning. The hiker was able to self-extricate and contacted the Sheriff’s Office.

Interviewing the hiker revealed that he had become disoriented while on the Weatherford Trail as the result of white-out conditions and had taken shelter until daylight.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and our Search and Rescue Unit would like to remind hikers and hunters to leave a detailed trip plan with a trusted person and be prepared for the unexpected night out in the event of an accident or other emergency.

They also recommend that you carry these Essentials:

  • extra water and food
  • warm clothing
  • compass or GPS
  • headlamp or flashlight
  • first aid kit
  • shelter material
  • fire starting kit
  • pocket knife
  • signaling equipment like a signal mirror and whistle.

These can be important tools to help you stay safe in the outdoors and to aid searchers in locating you.

No justice for Habersham County toddler

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070214_Habersham_toddler_640The Atlanta Journal-Consitution is reporting that Bounkham “Bou Bou” Phonesavanh will receive not justice from the Habersham County grand jury. It is reported that Habersham County officials have withdrawn an offer to pay the $800,000 hospital bills for the child.

The toddler was severely injured in May when a SWAT team through a stun grenade into the room which landed in the playpen where the nineteen-month-old toddler was located.

An incident report indicated that a suspect, Wanis Thonetheva, lived in the house and that deputies could expect a cache of weapons and armed guards at the house.

A search turned up NO guns or drugs. The suspect that they were after did not even live there. Thonetheva was arrested later without incident and only charged with possession of Methamphetamine.

Mawuli Davis issued a statement that the Phonesavanh family is devastated to learn no criminal charges would be brought.

SEE ALSO: WSB-TV

“Suspicious” person in Flagstaff identified

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coco-sheriff-300pxFLAGSTAFF – On September 24, 2014 the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office issued a request to the public for assistance in locating and identifying a Native American adult female who was described as being heavy-set or overweight driving a maroon or red older model SUV possibly a Chevrolet Tahoe.

On September 12, 2014 the woman and vehicle were seen in the area of the school bus stop located at the intersection of Townsend Winona Road and Bluefield Road. A nine year old child reported the woman following her home and attempting to enter her house.

The Sheriff’s office received a call from one of the parents of the child involved who identified the person as the landlord of their home. No foul play was intended.

Suspicious Activity Involving a Child

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FLAGSTAFF – Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputies are requesting assistance in identifying and locating a Native American female who offered a nine year-old child a ride as the child exited a school bus at the bus stop in her neighborhood. It is believed the driver of a maroon or red older SUV possibly a Chevrolet Tahoe followed the child to her home and attempted to make contact with occupants inside the house.

On Friday, September 12, 2014 at about 1:22 pm a Sheriff’s Dispatcher received a call of a trespass in progress with a child inside the home and an adult Native American female attempting to get inside. A deputy was met with the girl and her father at their Doney Park residence.

According to the child she exited the school bus at the stop located at the intersection of Townsend Winona Road and Bluefield Road. She noticed a red SUV parked by the exit door of the bus. As she walked by the vehicle a Native American woman in the driver’s seat asked the child if she wanted a ride home to which she replied no.

As the child proceeded to walk home she noticed that the red SUV was following her. The child then dropped her water bottle and ran home crossing several residential yards in the process. Once at her home the child saw the SUV drive up in front of her house and stop.

According to the child the woman exited her vehicle, approached the front door and knocked on it. The woman asked in a voice loud enough for the child to hear if anyone was at home. The child was so frightened by the woman’s actions that she hid in a room located within the home. Eventually the woman left the area.

The suspect is described as a heavyset adult Native American female. The vehicle is described as a red or maroon SUV, possibly an older model and possibly a Chevrolet Tahoe. Anyone with information regarding this incident or with information regarding the identity of the Native American female is asked to call the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office at (928) 774-4523 or toll free at 1-800-338-7888 or Silent Witness at (928)774-6111.