Category Archives: Law Enforcement

Drowning victim recovered at Blue Ridge Reservoir

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BLUE RIDGE – On June 21, 2020, At 6:07pm the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and Blue Ridge Fire District responded to the Blue Ridge Reservoir, also known as C.C. Cragin Reservoir, for a report of swimmer who had gone under water near the boat ramp and never resurfaced.

A search of the immediate area was conducted using the boats of bystanders, but the subject was not located. Search operations were suspended as it began to get dark and a plan was developed for an underwater search on the morning of June 22.

On June 22 the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office received assistance from the Gila County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team and Tonto Rim Search and Rescue to conduct an underwater search. As part of the search a Search and Rescue dog trained in human remains detection in water was used to confirm the area to search. Divers searched an area indicated by the search dog and located the missing subject at approximately 11:30am.

The subject, 32-year-old Austin Smith of Payson, was recovered from the lake and transferred to the custody of the Coconino County Office of the Medical Examiner. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office is grateful for the assistance of the Blue Ridge Fire District, Gila County Sheriff’s Office, Tonto Rim Search and Rescue, and the US Forest Service in resolving this incident.

Rescue Unit Rescues 4 stranded hikers in Munds Canyon

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CCSO Photo

FLAGSTAFF – On June 19th at 7:20 p.m. the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of stranded hikers in Munds Canyon south of Flagstaff. The group was comprised of one an adult male and three juveniles after they split from a larger group of ten hikers. The group had intended to hike Munds Canyon from I-17 to Oak Creek. After realizing they had underestimated the distance to Oak Creek Canyon, they attempted to return to their vehicle near I-17. The group became exhausted and unable to return to their vehicle as it became dark.

Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Unit personnel responded to locate and assist the hikers. A search and rescue team was able to make voice contact with the hikers at approximately 6:00 a.m. and then were able to make access to the hikers using a rope rescue system at approximately 7:45
am. The hikers were assessed and provided with additional supplies and then assisted in ascending out of the canyon via a rope system. Once at the top of the canyon the hikers were provided with a ride to Schnebly Hill Road where they were reunited with family members. None of the hikers required any
medical attention.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Unit would like to remind outdoor users to be prepared for their activities by researching the details of their trip including trail conditions and hazards as well as carrying the appropriate safety equipment which includes:

  1. Extra Water
  2. Extra Food
  3. Extra Clothing for the Conditions
  4. Navigation Equipment (map, compass, GPS)
  5. Headlamp/Flashlight
  6. First Aid Kit
  7. Shelter Material (space blanket or large leaf bag)
  8. Pocket Knife/Multitool
  9. Signaling Equipment (whistle and signal mirror)
  10. Fully Charged Cell Phone and Extra Battery

In addition, outdoor users should leave a detailed trip itinerary with a trusted person so that if the group does not arrive or make contact as expected authorities know where to begin a search.

Census Workers Confronted in Kaibab Estates West

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KAIBAB ESTATES WEST – On June 14, 2020 at 12:35 pm Coconino County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report from census workers of gun shots being fired in the Kaibab Estates West area. The census workers advised Dispatch that when exiting their vehicle to check an address, they heard what they believed to be a loud gun shot. They then got back into their vehicle to leave the area but the road was blocked by another vehicle. They were contacted by a male subject who approached their vehicle while carrying a shotgun. The census workers identified themselves and left the area.

After conducting an investigation, deputies arrested 55-year-old Kaibab Estates West resident, Kory Beihn. Beihn was booked into the Coconino County Detention Facility for charges involving
Threatening and Intimidating.

This investigation is ongoing.

Jacob Lake evacuations continue as Magnum Fire expands

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JACOB LAKE — Evacuations in the Jacob Lake area continued throughout the weekend and are continuing today in areas threatened by the 24,700+ acre Mangum Fire Burning on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Coconino County Sheriff’s Office along with United States Forest Service personnel throughout the weekend and into the week, continue to patrol and search in and around the Mangum fire vicinity affecting Jacob Lake and surrounding areas. Approximately 230 people were evacuated in initial efforts with another 50 visitors evacuated/escorted out of the area over the weekend.

Sheriff Deputies, along with Forest Service Officers, made personal notifications to residents in the areas of White Sage and Lonesome during the weekend placing them in the “SET” stage for evacuation. Approximately 30 to 35 homes were contacted during this notification,

Due to proximity of the Mangum Fire, Highway 67 was closed over the weekend and remains closed at this time to all traffic. Visitors are being escorted out at intervals throughout the day up to 4:00 p.m. Forest Service and Park Officials are asking anyone wanting to leave the area to drive to Forest Service road 429 and Highway 67 where the Highway is closed, where escorts out of the fire hazard area will be facilitated by Forest Service Officers. These times are subject to change as Fire conditions change.According to the Kaibab Forest Service, risk remains for the Jacob Lake community but has diminished. Previous fuel treatments conducted by the local Ranger District Office have aided in moderating fire behavior allowing firefighters time to continue improving defensible space around the community. A night shift continued their work.

The fire spotted across containment lines along Forest Road 22 yesterday near Mangum Springs and raced north into grass, brush, and pinon/juniper towards Middle Mountain. Air tankers, including the Very Large Air Tanker, quickly responded with retardant to limit its growth.

Today crews will continue to construct fireline to minimize the fire’s northward movement northeast of highway 89A. Crews will work to attempt to secure fire’s spread near Little Mountain. Forecast weather includes less wind, but dry conditions, high temperatures, and low humidity.

Currently Hwy 89A is closed at M.P. 545 east of Jacob Lake and at mile post 608.8 west of Jacob Lake. Hwy 67 is closed to all traffic. These roadways will remain closed while the Mangum Fire continues to pose a threat to public safety.

As fire efforts continue more information will be made available. For any questions regarding the Mangum fire please contact the USFS at 602-345-0469. For information regarding the evacuation efforts please contact the Sheriff’s Office at 928-226-5089. For Road closures please contact Az Department of Transportation by dialing in state, 511, and out of state 888-411-7623, www.az511.gov

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office urges all residents to sign up for Emergency Notifications to receive any emergency notifications about the fire and possible evacuation notices. Please visit https://www.coconino.az.gov/207/Emergency-Management for information on how to register to get
emergency alerts.

Letter from Sheriff Jim Driscoll

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FLAGSTAFF — As the Sheriff of Coconino County I share in the community’s shock and anger over the events recently occurring in Minneapolis. I greatly value the diversity and public trust of our citizens and constantly strive to maintain and strengthen our relationships with all of our communities.

I am outraged, as many of you are, by the actions of a few officers and will not tolerate similar behavior by anyone in my agency.

I understand and support the Constitutional rights of individuals to peaceably assemble and lawfully protest. However, I do not condone violence or unlawful activities.

My commitment to you is to maintain integrity, transparency and professionalism in fulfilling the duties of my sworn Oath of Office to protect and serve the citizens of Coconino County.

Missing Phoenix woman located deceased

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FOREST LAKES, AZ – On April 25th at approximately 8:00am the Coconino County Sher Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle located by an officer from the Arizona Game and Fish Department. The vehicle was located off a forest road near Chevelon Butte and was associated with a missing person reported by the Phoenix Police Department.

A Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Deputy, a US Forest Service Law Enforcement Officer, US Forest Service firefighters, an Arizona Game and Fish Officer, and the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Unit including search and rescue dogs, a small unmanned aerial system, and ground searchers conducted a search in the area to attempt to locate the missing person associated with the vehicle.

Searchers found several clues in the area including foot tracks and discarded clothing which focused the search effort. At approximately 5:30 p.m., an adult female was found deceased in the area by a search and rescue dog team. The investigation into the death is ongoing by the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and the Coconino County Office of the Medical Examiner.

The female identified as Britnney Fairbanks, a 28-year-old, was reported missing out of Phoenix 3-days prior to her vehicle being located by Game and Fish Officers.

Busy first week of May for Sheriff’s Department

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COCONINO COUNTY – Coconino County Sheriff’s Office responded to an increased amount of calls for service the first weekend of May 2020. For the period of May 1st through the 3rd, 2020, Deputies responded to 661 calls for service. With the weather warming up, an increase in visitors and residents recreating outdoors was seen all over the county by the Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies responded to 584 total call for service during the previous weekend of April 24-26.

• Deputies responded to two attempted abductions of two young girls over the weekend, one in the Bellemont area and one in Kaibab Estates West. Both victims escaped and the Sheriff’s Office is still looking for the suspects.

• Deputies throughout the county responded to multiple reports of campfires and two reported wildfires.

• With a large portion of Lake Powell being closed, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Boat Patrol unit, which is based out of the Page area, patrolled Lake Mary over the weekend. The Boat Patrol was assisted by Sheriff’s Patrol Volunteers and AZ Game and Fish and spend Saturday and Sunday educating people on boating safety.

• Coconino Sheriff’s Search and Rescue teams responded to three search missions which occurred in Blue Ridge, on the San Francisco Peaks and in the Cinder Lakes recreation area. The search and rescue missions ranged from exhausted hikers, to missing hunters and overdue recreationists.

The chart below shows a comparison of some of the more common types of calls during the two weekends.

Attempted Abductions in Bellemont and Ash Fork Areas

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Flagstaff, AZ – On May 2 and 3, 2020, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office responded to two different reports of abduction attempts on young females. One was in the residential area of Bellemont, west of Flagstaff off Interstate 40, and the second was in Kaibab Estates West, west of Williams, Arizona off Interstate 40.

The Bellemont incident occurred on May 2, 2020 around 6:00 pm in the area of Deer Springs and Greenfield. An unknown male subject approached and grabbed the victim, an 11-year-old girl. The suspect let the girl go when she screamed. The victim ran away from the suspect to her home and reported the incident. A Code Red was issued alerting community members. Multiple agencies responded to the area and conducted a search for the suspect but did not locate him. The suspect was described as a dark-complexioned male with long dark hair and a goatee. At the time of the Bellemont incident, he was wearing a black shirt. The suspect left on foot and there was no vehicle description.

The Kaibab Estates West incident occurred on May 3, 2020 around 2:00 pm near Hillside Dr. and Rincon Dr. The driver of a blue van offered a 15-year-old girl a ride. When she declined the ride and exited his vehicle, the suspect grabbed her by the arm and attempted to pull her into the vehicle. The 15-year-old fought back, striking the man in the face and was able to run to a nearby friend’s residence. A Code Red was issued alerting community members. Multiple agencies responded to the area and conducted a search for the suspect and vehicle, but neither were located. The suspect left the area in what the victim described as a blue minivan with a dent possibly in one of the doors. The suspect was described as a white male, 30 to 40 years of age, with short light-colored buzzed hair, slender and 5’10 to 6’ in height.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone who has information about either incident, anyone who may have seen person(s) or vehicles matching the descriptions, or anyone who may have seen something suspicious, please call the Sheriff’s Office Dispatch at (928) 774-4523, option 1 or Coconino County Silent Witness at (928) 774-6111.

California child abductor arrested in Golden Valley

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GOLDEN VALLEY – On April 22, 2020 the U.S. Marshals Service led Arizona WANTED Violent Offenders Task Force, working in conjunction with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), arrested a dangerous fugitive and recovered a missing child in Golden Valley, Arizona.

“Armed fugitives that have abducted a child and is defiant to lawful orders places the community and law enforcement in harm’s way and must remain a priority,” said United States Marshal David Gonzales. “The US Marshals led task force members were joined by local and federal agencies who executed a plan that safely took custody of the child before arresting Messner, who will now be sent to California to answer for his crimes.”

On April 5, Dustin Messner, 37, abducted his eight-year-old son from Stockton, Calif. An arrest warrant was issued for Messner, who was being charged with Child Custody Deprivation. California law enforcement immediately began an investigation to determine the whereabouts of both father and son. The ensuing investigation revealed that Messner fled the state of California.

During his two weeks on the run, Messner made numerous comments and posts to his social media accounts expressing his belief that man’s law had no authority over him and that he would not be returning his son. Messner also made several threats to any law enforcement who attempted to take his son from him. These posts included video of firearms assumed to be in Messner’s possession.

On April 20, the District Attorney Investigator’s Office in San Joaquin County, CA, requested the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service in locating and apprehending Messner. On April 22, members of the U.S. Marshals Service District of Arizona-Flagstaff Division and the ATF conducted an apprehension and recovery operation at a home on Joseph Drive in Golden Valley, AZ. That evening, task force members arrested Messner and safely recovered the missing boy before turning him over to Child Protective Services.

Dustin Messner was transported to the Mohave County Detention Center while he awaits extradition back to San Joaquin County, CA. His son was happily reunited with his mother on April 23.

Arrest Made in Sasha Krause Homicide Case

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FLAGSTAFF – On April 21, 2020 around 9:20 am, Detectives from Coconino County Sheriff’s Office accompanied by Detectives from San Juan County Sheriff’s Office, New Mexico served search warrants and arrested Mark Gooch at Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, AZ for the homicide of Sasha Krause. Sasha Krause had been reported as a missing person from the Mennonite Community in Farmington, NM in January 2020. She was located deceased in Coconino County in February 2020.

Detectives with the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, through their investigation, learned that during the time Sasha Krause went missing, Gooch had traveled from Luke Air Force Base, where he lives, to Farmington, New Mexico. Further investigation placed Gooch near Sunset Crater in Coconino County where Krause’s body was located.

Multiple state and federal agencies worked together on this investigation which led to the arrest of Gooch. Coconino County Sheriff Jim Driscoll would like to thank San Juan County Sheriff Shane Ferrari and his staff for their ongoing coordinated efforts in the investigation, the Department of Public Safety Crime Lab, Glendale Police Department, Office of Special Investigation Detachment 421, U.S. Air Force and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The investigation is still on going, and no further information is available at this time.