Crime in Tucson has reached an alarming level, but federal prosecutors are trying to keep up with lock ups.
A Tucson gang member was sentenced to nearly 28 years in federal prison following over a decade-long investigation into a criminal street gang tied to murders, drug trafficking, firearms, and witness intimidation in southern Arizona.
David Kapone Williams, 36, of Tucson, was sentenced on September 16 by U.S. District Judge James A. Soto to 335 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.
Williams previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to participate in a pattern of racketeering activity.
Williams admitted to being a member of the Western Hills Bloods (WHB), a criminal street gang that operated in Tucson.
According to federal prosecutors, the Western Hills Bloods engaged in a pattern of criminal activity that included narcotics trafficking, firearms possession, witness intimidation, and violent crimes, including murder.
Court records tied Williams and other gang members to deadly violence in Tucson dating back more than a decade.
On May 15, 2015, Williams and other Western Hills Bloods members murdered a rival gang member in the parking lot of a La Quinta hotel near Tucson International Airport, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Members of the gang also participated in an October 2014 homicide near Fremont Street in Tucson.
Williams also trafficked narcotics in Tucson and across the United States on behalf of the gang.
“With Williams’ sentence, this long-fought battle to bring members of the violent Western Hills Bloods to justice finally comes to an end,” stated U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine. “But that doesn’t mean we are anywhere close to ending our mission to bring safety to Tucson’s streets.”
Courchaine said the case should serve as a warning to other gangs that federal prosecutors and law enforcement will continue pursuing them.
“The persistence of law enforcement and prosecutors in this case should stand as a warning to other gangs and violent offenders out there – we won’t tire in seeking justice,” he added.
TUCSON, Ariz. – David Kapone Williams, 36, of Tucson, was sentenced last Wednesday to 335 months in prison for a RICO conspiracy. Williams, a member of the Western Hills Bloods murdered a rival gang member in the parking lot of the La Quinta Hotel near the Tucson International… pic.twitter.com/fymi0at4jd
Williams was the latest of several Western Hills Bloods defendants to receive lengthy federal prison sentences.
Marcell Demetrius Gray was sentenced in May to 335 months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to participate in a pattern of racketeering activity.
Michael Anthony Williams received a 262-month sentence in March 2025, while Shawmaine Eustace Ardell Moore, Samuel Lee Berrelle Rakestraw III, and Jermaine Lamar Maxwell each received 240-month prison sentences for racketeering conspiracy.
Two other defendants were convicted on firearms and narcotics charges.
Cliffton Martinez was sentenced to 78 months in prison for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, while Labarr Martinez received 50 months for possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
Federal authorities described the prosecution as the culmination of more than a decade of efforts to hold members of the Tucson gang accountable for violence and intimidation.
“This significant sentence is part of an over ten-year effort to hold members of the Western Hills Bloods, a violent criminal street gang, accountable for their acts of violence and intimidation which they inflicted on the citizens of Tucson,” said A.J. Gibes, Special Agent in Charge for the ATF Phoenix Field Division.
“This years-long effort by ATF and our partners with the Tucson Police Department and Arizona Department of Public Safety is indicative of our unwavering commitment to protecting the public from violent armed offenders and armed drug traffickers,” Gibes added.
The investigation was conducted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a Department of Justice initiative that coordinates federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement efforts to address violent crime.
The program allows U.S. Attorney’s offices to tailor enforcement efforts to local violent crime and public safety concerns, with an emphasis on federal prosecution of violent offenders, coordination among law enforcement agencies, and deterrence.
Federal authorities said that while Williams’ sentencing brings the Western Hills Bloods prosecution to an end, efforts targeting gangs and violent offenders in Tucson will continue.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Wednesday night’s debate between the Democratic and Republican candidates for Arizona attorney general grew heated, with outbursts from the incumbent and repeated accusations of lies and coverups.
Attorney General Kris Mayes, the incumbent and Democratic nominee, initially focused on presenting herself as apolitical.
Mayes emphasized her prosecutions of fraud, waste, and abuse in the state’s Medicaid and school choice programs. She explained away the disproportionate number of lawsuits she’s filed against the Trump administration as justified, claiming that the actions of the Biden administration didn’t warrant lawsuits.
“Whether it was a Republican president or a Democratic president, our criteria is the same: has the Constitution been violated? Has the state been harmed?” said Mayes. “And that has happened all too often over the past two years.”
I’ve prosecuted Democrats and Republicans alike for crimes and corruption, and I don’t care what someone’s party is when it comes to enforcing the law. I removed from office and prosecuted a Democratic county attorney in the most Democratic county in AZ for alleged corruption. I…
Senate President Warren Petersen, the Republican nominee, focused on Mayes’ controversial administration of the office, and accused her of focusing office resources on political lawfare.
“Kris Mayes is the most political and partisan AG that this state has ever had,” said Petersen. “She’s got [more than] 50 lawsuits against her political opponents. She has weaponized the office.”
One of the sponsors for the debate was Riester, whose CEO Tim Riester secured an internship in Mayes’ office this summer for his son after contributing to her campaign, as reported by The California Globe on Thursday.
Most Heated Points of the Debate
Mayes interrupted Petersen multiple times during the debate.
One interruption came when Petersen brought up that Mayes hired Vanessa Daily (Hickman), her former division chief who committed felony mail theft, despite warnings from the city of Peoria, her prior employer, about allegations against Hickman of fraud, conversion, and breach of fiduciary duty.
“Her office is in total disarray,” said Petersen. “Mayes was warned about a specific hire, red flags. She hired her anyway as her division chief. That hire ended up committing a felony.”
Mayes immediately jumped in with a demand that she be allowed to provide a response while Petersen still had time remaining to speak.
“Am I going to get a rebuttal for this?” said Mayes. “This is outrageous.”
Mayes again interrupted Petersen when he alluded to reports that she “is known for having meltdowns” to include “yelling, screaming, pounding her fist on the table, shouting the ‘F’ word” in office. Petersen read a statement from one witness to her behavior. Mayes accused Petersen of making false and defamatory statements.
“This is outrageous. I can’t believe you’re allowing this to be aired,” said Mayes.
Following the debate, however, Mayes admitted to a press gaggle that what Petersen said was true — she has engaged in that behavior while in office.
“If I’m passionate about something? Yeah,” said Mayes. “Do I, you know, drop an F-bomb every once in a while? I do. I’m passionate about protecting the funds that the people of Arizona deserve.”
Mayes looked straight into the camera and lied about this at the debate. What else is she lying to us about. Disturbing to see an AG this corrupt and dishonest. https://t.co/T389LH3cSV
Mayes also went over her time, shouting over moderators to blame Petersen for her unsuccessful lawsuit to stop opioid settlement funds from being taken from her office to cover budget shortfalls, something to which Gov. Katie Hobbs, a fellow Democrat, agreed. The reallocated funds were given to the Department of Corrections to assist individuals impacted by opioids.
On Supporting Law Enforcement
Mayes and Petersen each claimed that they were more supportive of law enforcement than the other. Mayes claimed to have “great relationships” with federal law enforcement agencies.
Petersen has received the endorsement of every law enforcement organization in the state, whereas Mayes has received none.
For the first time in AZ history, a challenger to the sitting AG has the overwhelming support from law enforcement. As your next attorney general I will fight crime, defend the laws and the Constitution and root out fraud, waste and corruption. pic.twitter.com/wDXRHpFDom
Mayes said Petersen voted against increased burial benefits for widows of fallen officers, and accused her opponent of putting forth a ballot initiative, HCR 2040, to prevent collective bargaining for first responders.
Petersen countered that HCR 2040 had “nothing to do” with first responders. The proposed constitutional amendment would have prohibited school districts from using public funds to support union operations; a court struck down the ballot proposition over the summer.
Petersen referenced Mayes’ recent remarks issued in January, when she advised Arizonans that they have a legal justification to shoot certain law enforcement officers.
“[The] law says that if you reasonably believe your life is in danger and you’re in your house or your car or on your property that you could defend yourself with lethal force,” said Mayes.
In response, Mayes’ law enforcement liaison resigned. Both the Arizona House and Senate called on Mayes to resign from office, an unprecedented action that the legislature had never taken prior to Mayes. Gov. Hobbs broke party rank and condemned Mayes for her remarks.
On Immigrant Enforcement
Mayes said she wants deportations to end and instead would like to require immigration enforcement to work on cartel cases. Mayes clarified that she doesn’t support illegal immigration.
“I think we need ICE to go back to what it normally does, which is to help state AGs go after Mexican drug cartels,” said Mayes. “Arizonans don’t believe in mass deportation, they believe in immigration enforcement.”
Petersen, whose wife immigrated legally from Mexico, said he supports legal immigration and opposes illegal immigration because it renders illegal aliens vulnerable to crime.
“We know this nation was built and strengthened by people who came here the right way,” said Petersen. “When someone enters into the country illegally, they become vulnerable to human traffickers and criminal organizations.”
Mayes claimed that Petersen supported deportations for Dreamers: illegal aliens residing in the country on deferred deportation who entered the country illegally as minors. When Petersen responded that was untrue, Mayes interrupted him to claim he had made that statement.
Petersen said that those who are here illegally in the country shouldn’t be surprised if they are deported, not that they should be deported.
Petersen said the community members should have input on the establishment and expansion of immigration detention centers, including the recent $1.2 billion expansion plans for the detention center in Florence.
Mayes reminded the public that she successfully sued to stop the Trump administration from establishing a new immigration detention center in Surprise.
On Green Energy
Petersen said his first action in office would be to allow the Arizona Corporation Commission’s (ACC) Renewable Energy Standard and Tariff (REST) Rules to be repealed. The REST Rules require electric utilities to generate 15% of their energy from renewable resources by 2025. Mayes helped to enact those rules while on the ACC and is currently challenging the repeal.
Petersen accused Mayes of imposing green energy rules and approving rate increases under the justification that ratepayers would be willing to pay more to implement renewable energy.
Mayes claimed that her policies passed on the ACC have saved residents money, not cost them more over time.
The REST Rules resulted in more than $2.3 billion being collected via surcharges to customers.
On Data Centers
Petersen said that he supports data centers to a point, but that they need to be governed and decided on by the community.
Mayes backs a moratorium for all data centers. She said utility rate increases were caused by data centers, not renewables as Petersen claimed.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
Congressman Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-06) joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers calling for a federal investigation into the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Wild Horse and Burro Sale Program. The lawmakers cited concerns that federally protected animals are entering the slaughter pipeline.
Ciscomani, co-chair of the Congressional Wild Horse Caucus, co-led 17 congressional colleagues in requesting that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) conduct an independent review of the program.
The lawmakers are asking the GAO to examine how the BLM uses its authority to sell wild horses and burros, including how prospective buyers are screened, what happens to animals after they are sold, and how the agency responds when animals appear at auctions or facilities associated with the slaughter industry.
“It’s long past time to fix the ongoing failures in how America’s wild horses are managed,” stated Ciscomani. “For years, across both Republican and Democrat administrations, we’ve seen alarming reports of hostility toward these animals and serious questions about how the Bureau of Land Management is carrying out its responsibilities. This cannot be a partisan issue. It’s a stewardship issue. I’m proud to join this bipartisan effort to demand accountability, protect our wild horses, and push for real solutions that address the problem head-on.”
The request follows recent reporting raising questions about whether existing BLM safeguards are sufficient to prevent federally protected horses and burros from eventually being transferred to slaughter.
In their letter to the GAO, lawmakers pointed to a sharp increase in the number of animals sold through the program. According to figures cited in the letter, the BLM sold 3,718 horses and burros in 2025, compared with 268 in 2015.
The lawmakers also highlighted the distinction between animals placed through adoption and those sold by the federal government.
Under the adoption process, animals remain under BLM jurisdiction for at least one year before title is transferred, during which the agency may conduct compliance checks. Animals purchased through the Sale Program become private property upon purchase and are no longer under BLM jurisdiction.
Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV), another co-chair of the Congressional Wild Horse Caucus, said the reports warrant further investigation.
“We now know what we have long suspected—that the BLM has been selling off wild horses that end up in slaughterhouses,” said Titus. “This practice must end now. I am leading my Congressional colleagues in demanding an investigation of the Wild Horse and Burro Sale Program to ensure wild horses and burros received the protections they are guaranteed by federal law.”
The congressional letter cited previous problems involving the program, including a 2012 case in which approximately 1,700 wild horses were sold to a single buyer despite warning signs that lawmakers say indicated many could be destined for slaughter.
The lawmakers are now asking the GAO to determine how effectively the BLM screens high-volume or repeat purchasers, whether it tracks buyers with connections to livestock auctions or slaughter-related businesses, and how often the agency has repossessed animals or restricted purchasers following sales.
Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) said congressional protections for the animals require greater oversight of the program.
“Our laws demand that we protect wild horses, not send them to slaughter,” said Pocan. “Congress has always worked in a bipartisan manner to protect these animals, and we need accountability and oversight at the Bureau of Land Management immediately. We hope this request will force the Administration to do the right thing.”
The lawmakers also want investigators to determine whether the BLM’s current practices comply with congressional restrictions intended to prevent healthy federally protected wild horses and burros from being destroyed or sold for processing into commercial products.
Patricia Miller, chair of the board of directors and executive director of American Wild Horse Conservation, called the requested investigation an opportunity to examine the program and its safeguards.
“The GAO investigation is a critical step toward uncovering and eliminating abuses within the Sale Authority Program, abuses documented through AWHC’s longstanding investigation and recently brought to national attention by The New York Times,” stated Miller. “No federal program should allow America’s treasured and legally protected wild horses and burros to be funneled into the slaughter pipeline.”
“We are deeply grateful to Representative Dina Titus and her fellow Congressional Wild Horse Caucus co-chairs, Representatives Ciscomani, Cohen, and Pocan, for leading this essential oversight effort and advancing the agency accountability and lasting reform necessary to ensure these animals receive the protections promised to them under federal law,” she added.
Manda Kalimian, founder and president of Rewilding America Now, also backed the requested review.
“America’s wild horses are an irreplaceable part of our nation’s heritage and belong to the American people. Slaughter is not a management tool, and Congress has made clear these iconic animals are to be protected, not destroyed with taxpayer dollars,” said Kalimian. “We are grateful to Congresswoman Dina Titus for her leadership, and to her colleagues for requesting a GAO audit of the BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro Program. This review will help bring greater transparency and accountability to the Sale Authority Program and move us toward humane, effective solutions. Slaughter is never the answer, and we must work together to find a better path forward.”
The oversight request is part of Ciscomani’s broader work on federal wild horse policy.
The legislation would require the federal government to phase out the use of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft for wild horse and burro roundups over two years.
The bill would also require cameras on aircraft used during the transition period and direct the GAO to report to Congress on humane alternatives to aircraft-based roundups, potential job opportunities associated with those alternatives, and the effects of aircraft on wild horse and burro populations.
The legislation was referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Federal officials are planning new Border Patrol station projects in Three Points, Casa Grande, and Sonoita-Elgin. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is also preparing to build checkpoints in southern and southwestern Arizona using funding from the 2025 federal reconciliation law.
The three station proposals would accommodate a combined 1,000 agents, with each estimated to cost more than $100 million. CBP told the outlet the projects remain in early planning.
CBP said the projects would be funded through the 2025 reconciliation law commonly known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Section 90002(a)(4) appropriated $5 billion nationally for expenses related to leasing, acquiring, constructing, designing, or improving CBP facilities and checkpoints.
At Three Points, a Sept. 11 forecast called for designing and building a station sized for 500 agents. The project was estimated to cost more than $100 million, with Sept. 25 listed as the projected solicitation date.
That forecast projected a contract award between October and December 2026, the first quarter of federal fiscal year 2027, and listed Sept. 1, 2029, as the anticipated contract completion date.
In an Aug. 21 letter to Pima County, CBP described a proposed site of approximately 87 acres about four miles east of the existing Three Points station and requested input for an environmental assessment.
In the letter, CBP specialist John Petrilla wrote, “The purpose of the new BPS is to accommodate the addition of new agents and personnel intended to enhance border security within the U.S. Border Patrol Tucson Area of Responsibility, with an ultimate objective of increasing the probability of apprehension of those that have entered into the U.S. illegally.”
The Casa Grande forecast describes a station for 300 agents and personnel, along with support space and other infrastructure. Its estimated cost also exceeds $100 million, with the same anticipated award quarter and September 2029 completion date. The listing identifies Casa Grande as the project location without specifying a street address.
The Sonoita-Elgin proposal would accommodate 200 agents and also exceed $100 million. The projected capacities describe the size of the facilities, rather than a confirmed increase of 1,000 agents assigned to Arizona.
CBP’s letter also identifies an alternative site along State Routes 82 and 83. The preferred Sonoita-area alternative involves an undeveloped 40-acre parcel approximately four miles southeast of the Sonoita crossroads. County officials said the location appeared to be near Elgin Elementary School.
Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors Chairman John Fanning said that the county had requested details about site selection and the proposal’s economic, social, and environmental effects. CBP said it would seek community input as it evaluates potential locations.
CBP has not clarified whether the proposed facility would supplement or replace the existing station.
Separate federal forecasts outline two checkpoint projects, each estimated at $50 million to $100 million. The Nogales I-19 checkpoint proposal calls for a new checkpoint and supporting facilities at a preferred location adjacent to the existing checkpoint in Amado. The Wellton I-8 checkpoint proposal describes a new checkpoint and supporting facilities just west of the Dateland offramp in Yuma County. Both forecasts list anticipated contract completion on Sept. 30, 2029.
CBP said that the broader station and checkpoint investments are intended to replace aging facilities, strengthen operations, and support agents confronting human and drug smuggling. In a statement, the agency noted, “As potential locations are evaluated, CBP will seek input from local communities before projects move forward.”
Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) violated the law with its school closure and consolidation committee, but the county attorney says it’s too late to stop them.
The complaint was filed originally with Attorney General Kris Mayes back in April, claiming that SUSD’s Phase II Design Advisory Team, an advisory committee responsible for coming up with school closure and consolidation options, violated Open Meeting Law because it prohibited the public from attending meetings.
Mayes waited nearly three months to refer the complaint to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office (MCAO); she cited a conflict of interest as the basis for not taking on the investigation herself.
MCAO told AZ Free News that Mayes didn’t refer the complaint to their office until July 17.
By then, SUSD’s Phase II Design Advisory Team had held all five of its Phase A meetings and three out of five of its Phase B meetings. The final meeting for this illicit advisory committee occurred on August 17.
Since all of the meetings have already occurred, MCAO Deputy County Attorney Caitlyn Mitchell said in a disposition letter on Tuesday that nothing could be done beyond recommending to SUSD that they not recommit a similar Open Meeting Law violation in the future and acknowledge their wrongdoing at the special meeting scheduled to occur that day.
“[I]t is too late to require SUSD to take corrective action concerning future Phase II Team meetings,” stated Mitchell. “MCAO has informed SUSD of its findings and conclusions, recommended that SUSD revise its future use of superintendent appointed committees, and requested that the SUSD Governing Board acknowledge the results of this investigation publicly at the open meeting to discuss the Phase II Team’s recommendations.”
Arizona law requires any legal action taken in a meeting that violates Open Meeting Law to be rendered null and void, unless ratification occurs under certain parameters during a public meeting within 30 days of discovery of the violation.
Non-public advisory committees have been a recurring problem for SUSD. Mayes has previously found SUSD in violation of Open Meeting Law for its use of non-public advisory committees.
During the SUSD special meeting on Tuesday, the governing board didn’t advise the public of the MCAO letter or the fact that the advisory committee responsible for creating the school closure and consolidation options had been conducted in violation of the law. It also stopped the community from making any mention of the letter.
Mike Bengert, the community member who filed the complaint, attempted to speak about the disposition letter during public comment, but Governing Board President Donna Lewis interrupted him.
SUSD counsel Renee Osipov told Bengert that he could only talk about the proposed options for school closures and consolidations.
“We’re not talking about Open Meeting Law. That’s not what we’re agendized to do,” said Osipov.
Lewis had advised at the beginning of the special meeting that public comments not addressing school closure and consolidation options were only permitted for the next meeting scheduled for October 6 — the day that SUSD is anticipated to vote on school closures.
🚨BOMBSHELL: Scottsdale Unified’s school closure committees VIOLATED open meeting law, according to Maricopa County Attorney Office.
Board wrongfully SHUTS DOWN community member announcing findings at public hearing – ANOTHER violation of OML.
There is just over one month left before the midterm elections in early November.
With just weeks to go, the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office has issued reminders of upcoming deadlines for voters to keep in mind.
October 5 is the deadline to register to vote for the election.
Early voting begins on October 7, and early ballots will be mailed out on this date.
Voters who choose to vote in person must have a valid government-issued ID that includes their name, photo, and address matching the one provided on their voter registration.
Voters with IDs that are expired or featuring an address differing from the one on their voter registration must provide two alternative forms of identification. Alternative forms of ID include a paper or digital Voter Registration Card, utility bill issued within 90 days of the election, bank or credit union statement issued within 90 days of the election, vehicle registration card or form, property tax statement, tribal identification, vehicle insurance card, non-photo government ID, or official election mail.
Voters who choose to vote via a mail ballot may turn in their ballot by mailing it or dropping it off at a secure drop box or Vote Center.
There are 254 Vote Centers throughout the county, 26 drop box locations without in-person voting, and two 24-hour drop box locations. Certain Vote Center locations are subject to opening as drop box-only sites on certain days. Approximately 90 of the Vote Centers are non-electioneering sites.
October 23 is the deadline for requesting a replacement ballot by mail.
Mail ballots come with a green affidavit envelope. Voters must sign that envelope prior to mailing or dropping off their ballot at a drop box or Vote Center.
The Maricopa County Recorder’s Office recommends mailing back early ballots by October 27 at the latest.
7 p.m. is the time to remember for Election Day on November 3.
On Election Day, all ballots must be received by 7 p.m. Postmarks do not count toward this deadline. Voters may also drop off their ballot at any ballot drop box until 7 p.m. Voters who are in line at a Vote Center before 7 p.m. will still be permitted to vote.
Maricopa County voters also have the option to expedite the tabulation of their ballot through ID Verify.
Through ID Verify, voters who show a valid ID while checking in at a Vote Center may have their ballot envelope stamped with an “ID Verified” marker. The stamp allows voters to bypass the signature verification process.
Voters impacted by signature verification issues have until 5 p.m. on Nov. 8, 2026, to verify their signature.
Voters may track their ballot by texting “JOIN” to 628-683. The county will provide real-time updates via text and/or email. Voters may also visit BeBallotReady.Vote to check the status of their ballot, as well as review their voter information and sign up for ballot tracking text or email alerts.
As of the primary election, Maricopa County has more than 2.5 million registered voters: more than 900,000 independents, 880,000 Republicans, 700,000 Democrats, 28,000 No Labels voters, 18,000 Libertarians, and 2,000 Green voters.
There are more than 4.3 million voters total in Arizona.
The county reported that the primary election went smoothly this year. More than 676,000 ballots were cast across more than 250 voting locations.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
