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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Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Man on lam for years turns life around
A Jacksonville man on the lam in Arizona for nearly five years has been re-sentenced to jail for violating his probation on 2002 felony driving offenses.
Johnney Williams, 45, turned his life around in the years he was absent, according to court testimony at his sentencing hearing Tuesday in Morgan Circuit Court.
A warrant was issued for his arrest in April 2004 after he failed to appear at a hearing on a petition to revoke his probation on felony offenses of driving under the influence of alcohol and driving while his license was revoked.
The charges were filed as felonies because he previously was twice convicted for DUI and once for driving with a revoked license. He was accused of testing positive multiple times for cocaine use, failing to complete substance abuse treatment, and owing $1,317 in fines and fees.
Williams left the state and went to work for his brother’s company in Phoenix, according to his attorney, Michael A. Hankins.
“Things were not going well for him here employment-wise,” Hankins said. “He was still running in the same circles and still caught up in doing what he shouldn’t have been doing and he left without the court giving him its blessing.”
Williams ended up making the positive changes he should have made while on probation here, his attorney said.
“By getting involved in his brother’s company, he turned his life around, joined a church out there and he had very glowing letters from the pastor of that church as well as detectives in the Phoenix Police Department who are friends and go to church with him,” Hankins said.
When Williams returned to Jacksonville to care for his ailing mother, he found there was a warrant for his arrest and turned himself in January, Hankins said.
He admitted in June that he violated his probation and was re-sentenced Tuesday to 60 days in jail and placed on one year conditional discharge. He begins serving the jail sentence Friday.
State’s Attorney Chris Reif agreed Williams “changed his life around substantially from the life he was leading here at the time he received these charges and convictions.” He didn’t think Williams should go unpunished for being on the lam all those years, though.
“Even though sometimes people leave the state and get their lives back together, we can’t reward individuals who are told they can’t leave the state,” Reif said. “You have certain conditions to fulfill here. If you don’t, you’re going to face the consequences of your original sentence.”
Williams’ good conduct during that time helped him avoid prison time. The prosecutor recommended the 60-day jail term imposed by Judge Richard Mitchell.
“But for those changes, I am confident Mr. Williams would be on his way to the DOC for three years right now,” Hankins said.
Source
Johnney Williams, 45, turned his life around in the years he was absent, according to court testimony at his sentencing hearing Tuesday in Morgan Circuit Court.
A warrant was issued for his arrest in April 2004 after he failed to appear at a hearing on a petition to revoke his probation on felony offenses of driving under the influence of alcohol and driving while his license was revoked.
The charges were filed as felonies because he previously was twice convicted for DUI and once for driving with a revoked license. He was accused of testing positive multiple times for cocaine use, failing to complete substance abuse treatment, and owing $1,317 in fines and fees.
Williams left the state and went to work for his brother’s company in Phoenix, according to his attorney, Michael A. Hankins.
“Things were not going well for him here employment-wise,” Hankins said. “He was still running in the same circles and still caught up in doing what he shouldn’t have been doing and he left without the court giving him its blessing.”
Williams ended up making the positive changes he should have made while on probation here, his attorney said.
“By getting involved in his brother’s company, he turned his life around, joined a church out there and he had very glowing letters from the pastor of that church as well as detectives in the Phoenix Police Department who are friends and go to church with him,” Hankins said.
When Williams returned to Jacksonville to care for his ailing mother, he found there was a warrant for his arrest and turned himself in January, Hankins said.
He admitted in June that he violated his probation and was re-sentenced Tuesday to 60 days in jail and placed on one year conditional discharge. He begins serving the jail sentence Friday.
State’s Attorney Chris Reif agreed Williams “changed his life around substantially from the life he was leading here at the time he received these charges and convictions.” He didn’t think Williams should go unpunished for being on the lam all those years, though.
“Even though sometimes people leave the state and get their lives back together, we can’t reward individuals who are told they can’t leave the state,” Reif said. “You have certain conditions to fulfill here. If you don’t, you’re going to face the consequences of your original sentence.”
Williams’ good conduct during that time helped him avoid prison time. The prosecutor recommended the 60-day jail term imposed by Judge Richard Mitchell.
“But for those changes, I am confident Mr. Williams would be on his way to the DOC for three years right now,” Hankins said.
Source
Monday, September 28, 2009
DUI arrest in Prescott collision that hurt 8
A 38-year-old Chino Valley man was arrested after a head-on collision on U.S. 89 in Prescott that sent him and seven other people to the hospital Sunday night, authorities said.
Police allege that Christopher L. Everidge was under the influence of drugs when his Kia Sportage drifted into oncoming traffic and collided with a Chevrolet Suburban with seven people on board, six of them children.
Everidge's vehicle rolled; the driver of the SUV tried to take evasive action but couldn't avoid the crash, which occurred about half a mile south of Arizona 89A, authorities said.
The driver of the Suburban, along with six other passengers in the vehicle, were all taken to Yavapai Regional Medical Center, according to the statement. The passengers ranged in age from 5 to 14.
One of the six children, who suffered serious facial injuries, was then flown to Flagstaff Medical Center. Another was taken to Phoenix Children's Hospital for a fractured pelvis and internal bleeding, the statement said.
Everidge was treated at Yavapai Regional Medical Center, then later arrested and booked on suspicion of possession and use of drugs. He was also booked on felony charges of criminal damage and seven counts of aggravated assault and endangerment, a statement by Prescott police said.
Source
Police allege that Christopher L. Everidge was under the influence of drugs when his Kia Sportage drifted into oncoming traffic and collided with a Chevrolet Suburban with seven people on board, six of them children.
Everidge's vehicle rolled; the driver of the SUV tried to take evasive action but couldn't avoid the crash, which occurred about half a mile south of Arizona 89A, authorities said.
The driver of the Suburban, along with six other passengers in the vehicle, were all taken to Yavapai Regional Medical Center, according to the statement. The passengers ranged in age from 5 to 14.
One of the six children, who suffered serious facial injuries, was then flown to Flagstaff Medical Center. Another was taken to Phoenix Children's Hospital for a fractured pelvis and internal bleeding, the statement said.
Everidge was treated at Yavapai Regional Medical Center, then later arrested and booked on suspicion of possession and use of drugs. He was also booked on felony charges of criminal damage and seven counts of aggravated assault and endangerment, a statement by Prescott police said.
Source
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Phoenix Mercury suspend Diana Taurasi after DUI arrest
PHOENIX - The Phoenix Mercury have suspended guard Diana Taurasi for two games without pay after she was cited on drunk-driving related charges.
In a release Thursday, the team said Taurasi was suspended "for conduct detrimental to the team." Taurasi will miss Saturday's game against Detroit and next Wednesday's game against Minnesota.
"I am deeply sorry and embarrassed for causing this distraction for my teammates, the Phoenix Mercury, the WNBA, family and fans," Taurasi said in a statement. "While I cannot say more with regards to the specifics of the case, I do want to make sure that everyone knows how much I appreciate their support and that I've learned a valuable lesson. I am committed to making sure a lot of good comes from this experience."
Taurasi faces three drunk-driving related charges, including extreme DUI, for a July 2 incident in which she also was cited for speeding. The 27-year-old guard was cited hours after she scored 22 points in the Mercury's 93-81 victory over the Seattle Storm.
A Phoenix police report released Tuesday shows Taurasi's blood-alcohol level was 0.17 percent, more than twice the Arizona legal limit of 0.08 percent.
Taurasi pleaded not guilty to the DUI charges and not responsible to the speeding citation.
Source
In a release Thursday, the team said Taurasi was suspended "for conduct detrimental to the team." Taurasi will miss Saturday's game against Detroit and next Wednesday's game against Minnesota.
"I am deeply sorry and embarrassed for causing this distraction for my teammates, the Phoenix Mercury, the WNBA, family and fans," Taurasi said in a statement. "While I cannot say more with regards to the specifics of the case, I do want to make sure that everyone knows how much I appreciate their support and that I've learned a valuable lesson. I am committed to making sure a lot of good comes from this experience."
Taurasi faces three drunk-driving related charges, including extreme DUI, for a July 2 incident in which she also was cited for speeding. The 27-year-old guard was cited hours after she scored 22 points in the Mercury's 93-81 victory over the Seattle Storm.
A Phoenix police report released Tuesday shows Taurasi's blood-alcohol level was 0.17 percent, more than twice the Arizona legal limit of 0.08 percent.
Taurasi pleaded not guilty to the DUI charges and not responsible to the speeding citation.
Source
Friday, August 28, 2009
Pinetop-Lakeside Police Report
Police responded to a two-vehicle accident on State Route 260. Police said a vehicle driving on the highway stopped near El Cupido's to allow a vehicle to enter the highway. At this time, a vehicle driven by Andrew Dipietro, 23, of Phoenix reportedly rear-ended the stopped vehicle. Dipietro was cited for failure to control speed to avoid an accident and no Arizona driver's license. The driver of the other vehicle, Julio Cesar Segoviano-Garcia, 31, of Lakeside, was reportedly found to have a valid warrant for his arrest for forgery out of Navajo County with a $5,000 bond. He was arrested and transported to the county jail in Holbrook.
- An officer stopped a car for reportedly traveling too fast on SR 260. The officer ran status checks on the occupants and found the passenger, Mark Anthony Madrid, 28, of Pinetop-Lakeside had a warrant for child support out of Pinal County with a $2,000 bond. He was arrested and transported to Holbrook.
- Officers were dispatched to the 1400 block of Rose Marie Drive in Pinetop in reference to a physical disturbance. A couple was reportedly having an argument, during which police say the man hit the woman. Mark Haro, 54, of Pinetop was arrested on charges of disorderly conduct and assault involving domestic violence. Maria Haro, 51, of Pinetop was arrested on charges of disorderly conduct involving domestic violence. Both were transported to Holbrook.
- Police stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation at the intersection of White Mountain Boulevard and Stephens Drive in Pinetop. Police contacted the driver, a 16-year-old McNary boy, who reportedly told police he had taken the car without his mom's permission. Police cited him for no mandatory insurance, no license, no registration and false information to police. Police ran a check on the vehicle's occupants. They found Heidi Quesada, 35, of McNary to have a warrant out of Pinetop Justice Court for obstructing a court order with a $476 bond and arrested her. Another occupant, Bobby Quintero Jr.,, 38, of McNary, reportedly had an odor of marijuana emanating from his person. He reportedly denied having drugs and consented to a search of his person. Police reportedly found a tin with marijuana in his back pocket. He was cited and released for marijuana possession.
Source
- An officer stopped a car for reportedly traveling too fast on SR 260. The officer ran status checks on the occupants and found the passenger, Mark Anthony Madrid, 28, of Pinetop-Lakeside had a warrant for child support out of Pinal County with a $2,000 bond. He was arrested and transported to Holbrook.
- Officers were dispatched to the 1400 block of Rose Marie Drive in Pinetop in reference to a physical disturbance. A couple was reportedly having an argument, during which police say the man hit the woman. Mark Haro, 54, of Pinetop was arrested on charges of disorderly conduct and assault involving domestic violence. Maria Haro, 51, of Pinetop was arrested on charges of disorderly conduct involving domestic violence. Both were transported to Holbrook.
- Police stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation at the intersection of White Mountain Boulevard and Stephens Drive in Pinetop. Police contacted the driver, a 16-year-old McNary boy, who reportedly told police he had taken the car without his mom's permission. Police cited him for no mandatory insurance, no license, no registration and false information to police. Police ran a check on the vehicle's occupants. They found Heidi Quesada, 35, of McNary to have a warrant out of Pinetop Justice Court for obstructing a court order with a $476 bond and arrested her. Another occupant, Bobby Quintero Jr.,, 38, of McNary, reportedly had an odor of marijuana emanating from his person. He reportedly denied having drugs and consented to a search of his person. Police reportedly found a tin with marijuana in his back pocket. He was cited and released for marijuana possession.
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