Former Deputy County Attorney arrested for smuggling drugs to prisoner

Former Graham County Deputy County Attorney David Paul De Costa, 42, of Tempe was arrested after police say he transferred drugs to a prisoner.

De Costa is accused of giving heroin and crystal methamphetamine to his client during a court hearing on Friday morning, according to Phoenix Police spokesperson Sgt. Trent Crump. De Costa allegedly admitted to receiving sexual favors for the transfer two days before he smuggled the drugs.
During a press conference Monday, Crump told reporters police learned about De Costa's dealings while conducting a separate investigation.

Former Deputy County Attorney Paul David De Costa was arrested in Phoenix on Friday for allegedly smuggling drugs to his client during a court hearing.


"During another investigation that we were conducting, information came across that an individual could get narcotics to a prisoner through the courtroom proceeding," Crump said.

According to court documents, De Costa's inmate client is a member of the Mexican Mafia prison gang. The inmate's girlfriend, Emily Keen, 19, allegedly arranged for the drug transfers. Investigators searched Keen's residence and confiscated more drugs and cash, according to Sgt. Crump.

De Costa and Keen were both booked into the Maricopa County Jail on suspicion of transferring and selling drugs, participating in a criminal syndicate and conspiracy to promote prison contraband in detention facilities. De Costa's bond was placed at $100,000.

De Costa graduated from Arizona State University, summa cum laude, with a bachelor's of science in justice studies, and received his Juris Doctor Degree from Arizona State University College of Law. Prior to attending ASU, he was a six-year veteran of the United States Army and saw active duty as an Airborne Combat Engineer Squad Leader.

After leaving his position as a deputy county Attorney for Graham County, De Costa worked in the DUI and criminal defense divisions of the Phoenix law firm of Phillips and Associates before entering into private solo practice.

He was previously cited and put on attorney's probation for an infraction in 2006. While on attorney's probation, an attorney may still practice law but the state monitors the attorney's activities for a period of time in hopes the attorney does not repeat the behavior.

Graham County Attorney Kenny Angle has not returned the Courier's phone calls regarding his former employee's arrest.


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