At least five individuals have been arrested in connection to various attacks in the Valley allegedly carried out by members of a violent group known as the “Gilbert Goons.”
Those arrested with an alleged connection to the violent group so far: Aris Arredondo, 18; Christopher Fantastic, 18; Jacob Pennington, 20; and two 16-year-old juveniles.
At least one individual, Jacob Pennington, admitted his involvement with the violent group in a statement to police. Pennington also claimed the name “Gilbert Goons” came from a Snapchat group chat.
On 11/18/23, PCSO was called in reference to an altercation in the desert area off of N. Wagon Wheel Rd. and W. Sun Dance Dr. in San Tan Valley. A 16yo male victim sustained minor injuries and declined medical treatment. He was not able to immediately identify his attackers. pic.twitter.com/gqZkHUl98E
Jacob’s brother, Noah, was arrested at least four times last year for apparently unrelated incidents of aggravated assault, drug possession/use, carrying a concealed weapon without a permit, disorderly assault, and aggravated robbery.
Suspected members of the Gilbert Goons’ social media footprint was large prior to this slew of arrests. Independent internet sleuths and Gilbert locals have come forward to identify others potentially involved with the violent group, citing screenshots and active links to various profiles and postings on Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram, and Soundcloud.
Investigations into the violent group picked up after the murder of 16-year-old Preston Lord in Queen Creek last Halloween and subsequent assaults across the Valley. For most locals and involved Arizonans, the Gilbert Goons’ involvement in Lord’s death is all but confirmed. Police have not linked Preston’s murder to the group.
There are reports that up to 40 individuals have involvement with the Gilbert Goons. The Gilbert Police Department (GPD) has asked for the public’s help in identifying other members or affiliates of the group based on photo and video evidence they’ve obtained of attacks dating back to 2022.
In addition to GPD, the following law enforcement agencies are involved in investigating the Gilbert Goons: the Arizona Gang & Immigration Intelligence Team Enforcement Mission (GIITEM), Pinal County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), and the Chandler, Mesa, and Queen Creek police departments.
The agencies are working to determine whether the Gilbert Goons may be classified as a criminal street gang (A.R.S. § 13-105). Arizona statute qualifies criminal street gang membership as a class 2 felony, while serving as an accomplice is a class 3 felony.
In a statement at Tuesday’s town council meeting, GPD Chief Michael Soelberg relayed that public information would be limited so as not to jeopardize ongoing investigations.
“We are combing through every detail of our past assault cases and arrests involving youth to determine if there are any connections or correlations and what are the relationships, if any, between those involved,” said Soelberg.
The Queen Creek Police Department is handling the investigation for the culprits behind the death of Preston Lord. As of Tuesday, GPD had nine active investigations related to the Gilbert Goons: four reopened and five new investigations.
In a press conference on Wednesday, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office (MCAO) said that the case report on the Gilbert Goons included over 2,000 pieces of evidence making up just shy of 2,000 pages. Over 600 pieces of evidence are videos.
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
Pro-life activists have launched a new campaign to oppose a constitutional amendment that would legalize abortion up to birth in Arizona.
The campaign, “It Goes Too Far” (IGTF), aims to prevent the Arizona Abortion Access Act from qualifying for the ballot this November. In a press release, IGTF campaign manager Leisa Brug said that the amendment would jeopardize the safety of girls and women.
“Arizona abortion laws should protect girls and women, not put them at greater risk, but this amendment asks voters to expand abortion while cutting safety precautions,” said Brug. “What happened to the prized doctor-patient relationship? This takes the required qualified medical doctor out of the doctor-patient relationship and leaves women in the hands of unqualified providers. That is not making the health and safety of women a priority.”
IGTF argues that the abortion amendment would strip the state of any lawmaking authority concerning abortion, including safeguards and parental notice for minors, and would allow abortions up until birth. For the latter claim, IGTF cites the amendment language allowing post-viability exceptions for abortions in cases where a health care professional determines the pregnancy jeopardizes the mother’s mental health.
The activists further claim that the amendment language allowing any “health care professional” to conduct abortions would endanger women by expanding lawful abortionists to include non-physicians and non-doctors. Additionally, IGTF argues that sex abusers would be protected under the amendment’s prohibition against any state laws or regulations penalizing those who aid or assist the mothers obtaining abortions.
IGTF also argues that individuals would be required to finance and even assist in abortions due to language enshrining abortion as a “fundamental right.” The activists say that a lack of taxpayer funding for abortions or a health care professional’s conscience against providing an abortion could be construed as “interference” with obtaining an abortion.
Arizona law classifies a “health care professional” as any person licensed or certified across various chapters and titles of Arizona law, including podiatrists, chiropractors, dentists, naturopaths, nurses, optometrists, pharmacists, physical therapists, psychologists, veterinarians, acupuncturists, athletic trainers, midwives, and more.
IGTF spokeswoman Olivia Escobedo told AZ Free News that their supporters are showing up wherever Arizona Abortion Access Act signature gatherers are situated in order to educate voters on the issue.
“Our supporters are there to let people know how dangerous this amendment is,” said Escobedo. “It has so many hidden agendas in the broad language.”
As part of that effort, IGTF established a database to report where the pro-abortion signature-gatherers set up camp.
Also involved in IGTF campaign are Laureen (Laurie) Mount, co-owner of MDS Communications, and Youssef Khalaf, CEO of both 100 Squared Financial and Data Orbital. The IGTF campaign has both nonprofit and political action committee arms.
Mount and her husband, Jay, are among the top donors for the campaign, along with Dave Lambert.
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
On Tuesday, the University of Arizona (UArizona) announced a $2.5 million settlement with the family of slain Professor Thomas Meixner.
Former UArizona graduate student Murad Dervish fatally shot Meixner in October 2022. In a copy of the settlement obtained by AZ Free News, UArizona also agreed to establish and fund an endowed professorship in the Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences (HAS) in Mexiner’s name.
UArizona also agreed to provide continued mental health treatment to HAS faculty, staff, and students directly and immediately affected by the shooting, as well as a tuition and fee waiver to certain HAS students directly and immediately affected by the shooting. For the latter provision, the university will apply the tuition and fee waiver prospectively and retroactively to the semester in which the events preceding the shooting began.
The Meixner family filed a notice of a claim against UArizona last March shortly after the disbanding of an independent faculty committee investigating the shooting. They originally sought $9 million from the university.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Meixner’s wife, Kathleen, said that they’re focused on preventing similar tragedies in the future. She ended on a note of support for the university that her husband knew and loved.
“So often in the aftermath of school shootings, we learn all the ways that they could and should have been prevented. That is exactly what happened here,” said Kathleen. “My family and I will continue meeting with the University of Arizona President, its Police Chief, and multiple other members of the University administration to make certain it upholds its commitment to make our community safer. Together, we will Bear Down, and find our way forward with courage and love for the Wildcat community which Tom cherished.”
In their original claim, the Meixner family accused the university of “repeatedly ignoring the clear and present danger” that Dervish posed by “openly advertis[ing] his intent to murder.” The family’s notice offered a summary of Dervish’s actions and escalations in threats for nearly a year leading up to the shooting, as well as details of a previous order of protection against Dervish from a previous university that UArizona failed to catch.
Meixner’s family alleged that Dervish’s intentions were so well known that Meixner’s last words were: “I knew you were going to do this!” Dervish violated the terms of his expulsion and ban from campus, as well as a no contact order, prior to the shooting.
“Dr. Meixner’s murder was not a random act of violence. The university knew Dervish planned to kill him and allowed it,” said the family. “Dervish’s homicidal intentions, capacities and history, as well as his utter disregard for the university’s unenforced sanctions, were so patently obvious that the University’s multiple failures to protect Dr. Meixner constitute an outrage.”
As reported previously, Dervish had a lengthy history of violence and crime. His criminal background included three prison stints and several instances of attempted murder: a pizza man at Penn State University and his own mother. He had also assaulted his father previously.
In a video of his interrogation following the shooting, Dervish expressed satisfaction over Meixner’s death. His trial date was pushed back to this May pending a doctor’s report on Dervish’s sanity.
“Well, at least I fulfilled my mission,” said Dervish.
In a press release issued Tuesday, UArizona alluded to the terms of the settlement’s non-monetary commitments to support the well-being of those affected by the shooting, as well as their agreement to have the Meixner family assist in future planning and implementation of safety and security measures.
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
Arizona’s infamous instigator involved in the January 6 Capitol invasion, Ray Epps, was sentenced to a year-long probation and a $500 fine.
Epps appeared for sentencing virtually on Tuesday before Chief Judge James Boasberg. The judge expressed hope that the sentencing would allow Epps, a former Oath Keepers Arizona president, to move past the incident.
“[You were] vilified in a matter unique to January 6 defendants,” said Boasberg. “[You were] the only one who suffered for what you didn’t do.”
Contrary to allegations based on video evidence of Epps’ actions preceding and during the Capitol invasion, both Epps and the federal government have repeatedly denied that Epps has ever served as a federal employee, agent, or source.
“Mr. Epps […] was not before, during, or after [January 6, 2021] a confidential source or undercover agent working on behalf of the government, the FBI, or any law enforcement agency,” stated prosecutor Michael Gordon in a September plea hearing.
In a response to the government’s sentencing memo, issued on Sunday, Epps denied that he assisted in the breach of the capitol in any manner. Epps characterized himself as “stuck” in the crowd of protestors pushing against the fence line.
“[Epps] is the victim of a conspiracy theory, not the propagator of one,” stated the response.
Various video evidence of Epps shows him urging and directing protestors to breach the Capitol the day before and day of the invasion, as well as entering the Capitol grounds after the fence barrier was pushed over.
In one video, Epps said something in the ear of another protestor, Ryan Samsel; seconds later, Samsel led the charge to destroy the first set of Capitol barricades and breach the restricted grounds. The rioters then toppled a second set of barricades to further breach the restricted grounds. Epps followed behind the rioters in both breachings.
Samsel told the FBI that Epps told him to “relax” and that law enforcement was “doing their job.”
The government’s statement of offense, issued last September, documented Epps’ actions as well. That statement also revealed that Epps claimed in a text to a family member that he “orchestrated” the breaching.
Two days after the Capitol riot, Epps called the FBI tip line to turn himself in after seeing his face on a Most Wanted list. Several days after that, the Arizona Republic interviewed Epps; he told the outlet that he was advised by an attorney not to speak about the incident and that he “didn’t do anything wrong.”
Federal agents didn’t arrest Epps despite his admission to them and media outlets of his involvement: instead, they conducted a second interview with him that March. Several months later, in July, the FBI removed Epps from their Most Wanted list.
Prosecutors then waited over two years to charge Epps for his role in the Capitol invasion. He was charged with disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds (Title 18 U.S. Code Section 1752(a)(2)). Epps pleaded guilty.
Epps told reporters in the summer of 2022 that he avoided arrest because he reached out to the FBI so quickly.
BREAKING: Ray Epps, the only January 6 protester who actually told people to go into the Capitol, has been officially sentenced to one year probation, $500 restitution, and 100 hours community service.
As of this report, Epps’ name wasn’t included in the D.C. Attorney’s Office list of the over 1,100 Capitol breach cases. Over 750 others have been sentenced so far.
11 other breachers arrested in Arizona were included on the list:
Nathan Entrekin, sentenced to 45 days in prison, three years of probation, 60 hours of community service, and $500 fine;
Andrew Hatley, sentenced to three years of probation and a $500 fine;
Joshua Knowles, not yet sentenced;
James McGrew, sentenced to six years and six months in prison, three years of supervised release, and $7,000 in fines;
Felicia Konold, not yet sentenced;
Edward Vallejo, sentenced to three years in prison, three years of supervised release, and one year of house arrest;
Micajah Jackson, sentenced to three years of probation and $1,500 in fines;
Jacob Anthony Chansley, sentenced to three years and five months in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $2,000 fine;
Jacob Zerkle, not yet sentenced;
Cory Konold, not yet sentenced; and
Israel Mark Matson, not yet sentenced.
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
Gov. Katie Hobbs is claiming that the state’s school choice program is rife with abuse and in need of serious reform.
In her State of the State address on Monday, Hobbs claimed the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program lacks accountability and transparency, alluding to media reports of questionable and controversial expenditures — some of which were debunked previously.
“We have seen a steady stream of news coverage around unacceptable and sometimes downright outrageous use of taxpayer money under this program, including water park admissions, ski passes, and luxury car driving lessons,” said Hobbs.
We must also address the long-term health of our K-12 schools – which means we must address the lack of accountability and transparency in Arizona’s ESA program.#SOTS2024#HobbsSOTSpic.twitter.com/C5FOU7d1eK
The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) issues quarterly reports on the ESA program; the latest was released several days prior to Christmas. These reports include the program award amount received by students, as well as the number of orders and reimbursements approved and rejected.
ADE also provides lists of allowable and disallowable expenses, both updated last March. The ADE debunked one of Hobbs’ claims of “outrageous” expenditures last summer. In a statement, ADE clarified that it rejects expenditures for water park admissions.
An ESA representative mistakenly said this was acceptable, but when it came through, it was rejected. Please reach out to confirm stories. https://t.co/HFyU3C3C6J
— Arizona Department of Education (@azedschools) July 26, 2023
An ABC15 review of 2022-23 ESA program expenditures found that ADE issued nearly 80 approvals for driving lessons and over 100 approvals for ski passes. However, that report didn’t distinguish whether those expenditures were made in 2022 under former ADE Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) Kathy Hoffman, or in 2023 under current SPI Tom Horne. The difference matters because, as Horne stated in November, similar “outlandish purchases” occurred under Hoffman, not him.
“Approvals like those came during the prior superintendent’s administration led by a friend of the leader of Save Our Schools, and one of my first acts in office was to put an end to it,” said Horne.
As reported by AZ Free News last January, Hoffman’s administration of the ESA program was described as neglectful and improper. In addition to severe understaffing and hundreds of thousands of unfulfilled expense requests, the Horne administration discovered questionable expense approvals such as espresso machines.
Hoffman’s administration of the ESA program has been something that Horne has pointed out repeatedly in refuting claims of improper ESA program expenditures.
“The frivolous ESA spending approvals occurred under the administration of the Governor’s friend, Kathy Hoffman,” said Horne in another statement last month.
Hobbs’ criticism of the ESA program comes days after she announced a plan to effectively dismantle the ESA program. Monday’s speech made mention of several aspects of this proposed plan: fingerprint background checks for private school educators, a new audit authority for the auditor general specific to monitoring ESA expenditures, and requirement of attendance at a public school for at least 100 days to qualify for the program.
The governor’s plan also aims to require private schools to accommodate Individualized Learning Plans and Section 504 Plans, prohibit private schools from increasing tuition costs at a rate higher than inflation, require private schools to meet certain education requirements, and require ADE to disclose which parental and student rights are waived upon entrance into the ESA program as well as graduation and chronic absenteeism rates.
We must also address the long-term health of our K-12 schools – which means we must address the lack of accountability and transparency in Arizona’s ESA program.#SOTS2024#HobbsSOTSpic.twitter.com/C5FOU7d1eK
At least one of Hobbs’ proposals addresses a practice already in place, according to Horne: accountability in the form of manual reviews of purchases over $500 and rejection of non-academic expenditures.
Horne explained in a statement that his staff reviews all expense requests, regardless of amount, leading to a rejection of over 12,000 purchase order requests and the suspension of nearly 2,200 accounts totaling $21 million due to public school enrollment.
“My job is to administer the ESA program in line with state law, and if changes are made, the Department of Education will follow them,” said Horne. “My office already reviews all expense requests regardless of amount, unlike the previous superintendent who approved many frivolous requests.”
That $500 threshold appears to be related to another false expenditure-related claim echoed by Hobbs from the activist group, Save Our Schools Arizona. The activist group implied in a viral post picked up by various media outlets that ADE approved an expenditure of over $500 for a Lego set.
“Contrary to a falsified document tweeted by Save Our Schools, no ESA parent has been reimbursed $500 to buy Legos,” said Horne. “To be clear, district, charter and ESA students are allowed to use Legos. The issue here is a pattern of lying. Save Our Schools admitted they fabricated a document to make it look like a parent made a $500 purchase when she did not. By doing so they have misled both the Governor and a prominent newspaper columnist, both of whom have retweeted this lie.”
Although the claim was debunked, Hobbs didn’t retract her viral accusation of ESA program mismanagement.
“Your taxpayer dollars are being used to buy $500 Lego sets because partisan politicians refuse to place limits on school vouchers,” said Hobbs.
Your taxpayer dollars are being used to buy $500 Lego sets because partisan politicians refuse to place limits on school vouchers.
It is time to end this wasteful, runaway spending by passing real accountability & transparency measures. ⬇️https://t.co/MBdqirOrfg
