by Jonathan Eberle | May 23, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
State Representative Quang Nguyen, Chairman of the Arizona House Judiciary Committee, is intensifying his inquiry into the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation, and Reentry (ADCRR) in the wake of a series of violent inmate deaths, including a high-profile triple homicide earlier this spring.
In a letter sent Monday to ADCRR Director Ryan Thornell, Nguyen called for a broad range of records, citing what he described as a “disturbing pattern of violence, security failures, and possible ideological interference” within the state’s prison system.
The move marks a significant escalation in the chairman’s ongoing investigation, which began after an inmate serving 16 life sentences for multiple murders was able to kill three fellow prisoners on April 4 at the Tucson prison complex.
“The situation at ADCRR appears to be far worse than previously understood,” Nguyen said in a statement. “We’re no longer looking at a single failure. We are looking at a system in decline, marked by ineffective leadership, poor oversight, and questionable outside influence.”
The request from Chairman Nguyen includes records on all inmate homicides since January 2024; internal investigation reports on those incidents; department policies and data on contraband weapons and cell phones; all prior versions of inmate classification and movement policies, including those governing maximum custody; and internal communications between ADCRR officials and outside advocacy groups, including the ACLU and Creosote Partners.
Nguyen also raised concerns about whether external advocacy organizations have exerted undue influence on internal corrections policies in ways that may compromise security or conflict with Arizona law. The ADCRR has until June 2 to respond to the records request.
The Arizona Republic recently published video footage allegedly showing inmates using improvised weapons in violent assaults, further fueling public scrutiny of prison conditions and management practices. It remains unclear whether the requested documents will be released in full or whether the agency will challenge any aspect of the request.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Staff Reporter | May 20, 2025 | Education, News
By Staff Reporter |
Mesa Public Schools (MPS) won’t allow military stoles to be worn by graduating students this year.
According to information provided by board membership, MPS defended the rule as a means of honoring their desire to maintain uniformity during graduation ceremonies. MPS policy does not explicitly bar military stoles from being worn, but it does not make an allowance for them, either.
However, MPS policy does allow students eligible to belong to or belonging to a federally recognized Native American tribe to wear traditional tribe regalia or “objects of cultural significance” at their graduation ceremony. The policy noted regalia could include eagle feathers or eagle plumes.
Additionally, students may wear pins or other “small symbol[s]” denoting their accolades related to scholastic or academic honors. These little accolades were allowed to be from “a city, county, state, or tribal government or its representative,” so long as they wouldn’t “detract from the unity achieved by graduates” uniformed in a common cap and gown. The district also drew the line at decorating caps and tassels, unless given permission by their school’s principal.
Governing Board member Rachel Walden opposed the policy and pledged to request Board President Courtney Davis to agendize graduation policy for amending.
“Military students at Mesa Public Schools must be allowed to wear their Military stole at graduation! Yet, students are forbidden to wear this symbol of commitment and achievement for their high school graduation. The community went through this last year and was able to get the ban lifted, yet here we are again,” said Walden. “I’m disappointed that this even needs to be said. To quote our enlisted National Guard student, not wearing the stole ‘disregards the values of honor and achievement that our school purports to uphold.’ There is also a link to his petition in the comments.”
As of this report, the petition to allow military stoles at Mesa graduations has reached 250 signatures. The student who launched the petition, Daniela Rascon-Rivas, is a student at Mesa High School and a National Guard member. Rascon-Rivas is also petitioning for the allowance of her to wear cords denoting her accomplishments through the East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT), a trade school in the area.
According to Walden, last year Red Mountain High School attempted to bar military stoles from their list of allowable graduation attire. Walden advised the board was able to overturn that policy.
The district’s policy on the display of military-related accolades caught the attention of state leaders.
Congressional candidate and former Arizona House Speaker Travis Grantham said allowing graduates to wear their military stoles was a “no brainer.” Grantham is a lieutenant colonel and commander within the Arizona Air National Guard.
“Hopefully the district does the right thing and changes their policy ASAP!” said Grantham.
State Representative and House Judiciary Chair Quang Nguyen, whose daughter serves in the Navy, seconded Walden’s take on the situation.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Mar 31, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
The Arizona House Judiciary Committee has advanced legislation to continue the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission (ACJC), a key agency overseeing law enforcement funding, crime prevention, and criminal justice policy implementation in the state.
The bill, SB 1227, was sponsored by Senator Shawnna Bolick (R-LD2) and passed the committee after a “strike everything amendment” from Rep. Quang Nguyen (R-LD1). If encated, it would extend ACJC for two years while modifying its structure and operations.
The legislation, which passed the committee by a 7-1 vote, introduces several changes to ACJC’s governance: it expands the population size eligibility for police chiefs, county attorneys, and sheriffs serving on the commission; prohibits members from using a designee to represent them; adds an additional victim advocate member to the commission; requires ACJC to meet at least four times a year instead of once annually; and subjects ACJC to a sunset review by the Auditor General after two years.
The reforms are designed to ensure ACJC remains focused on its mission of supporting law enforcement, allocating federal grants, and coordinating crime prevention efforts across Arizona.
“This legislation sends a strong message that Republican lawmakers will continue to push for resources to protect the men and women in law enforcement,” said Senator Bolick. “I am thankful Rep. Nguyen, and I were able to work together on a plan that prevents ACJC from dissolving, ensuring our criminal justice system receives uninterrupted resources and support.”
The Arizona Criminal Justice Commission plays a central role in the state’s criminal justice system. It monitors the implementation of laws, conducts statistical analyses, and provides reports to state officials. Additionally, ACJC administers funding for various law enforcement initiatives and victim services programs.
The push to extend ACJC comes amid broader debates on criminal justice policy in Arizona. Supporters of the bill argue that the commission is critical in securing federal grants that benefit local law enforcement and victim support programs. They contend that reforms will strengthen ACJC’s oversight and ensure its operations remain effective.
With its passage in the House Judiciary Committee, the bill now moves to the full House for consideration before heading back to the Senate. If enacted, ACJC will continue its operations with the proposed modifications and remain under legislative scrutiny.
Senator Bolick and Representative Nguyen have emphasized that the bill reinforces Republican lawmakers’ commitment to law enforcement resources and public safety. “We would be doing a disservice to the selfless individuals who protect our communities if we allow ACJC to become obsolete,” Bolick stated.
As the Arizona Legislature continues to debate the future of criminal justice policy, the outcome of SB 1227 will determine whether ACJC remains a key player in law enforcement and public safety efforts across the state.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Mar 2, 2025 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
An Arizona legislator is seeking to defend the people of his state from being intimidated by foreign governments.
Last week, the Arizona House of Representatives approved HB 2374. The bill “strengthens penalties for crimes committed by foreign agents, prohibits unauthorized foreign law enforcement activities within the state, [and] directs the Arizona Department of Public Safety to develop a training program to help law enforcement identify and respond to transnational repression.” The bill was sponsored by State Representative Quang Nguyen.
In a statement accompanying the announcement of the bill’s progress, Representative Nguyen said, “I fled communist Vietnam as a child, so I know firsthand the devastating impact of government repression. No one in Arizona – no one in America – should have to live in fear of harassment, intimidation, or assault by foreign agents. This bill sends a clear message: we will not tolerate foreign governments trampling on our freedoms. House Republicans are committed to safeguarding individual rights, and HB 2374 ensures that our laws stand firm against those who seek to silence and threaten people on American soil.”
According to the press release by the Arizona House Republicans, the bill will “address a disturbing reality – foreign governments, particularly the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), have used intimidation and coercion to silence dissidents, students, and activists living in the U.S. In one of the most well-documented cases, Chinese secret police established illegal operations in New York City to monitor and harass expatriates. Arizona is not immune to this threat. HB 2374 ensures that law enforcement is equipped to recognize these crimes and take action to protect victims.”
The proposal, if enacted into law, would “strengthen public safety by increasing felony classifications for crimes such as stalking, harassment, assault, and threats when committed by foreign agents to coerce or retaliate against individuals for exercising their First Amendment rights. It also makes it a Class 2 felony for unauthorized foreign law enforcement to operate in Arizona without state or federal approval.”
HB 2374 was passed by the Arizona House with a 35-25 vote. It will now head to the Arizona Senate for consideration.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Feb 12, 2025 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
A powerful Arizona legislator is working on a proposal to end a “get-out-of-jail-free card” for his colleagues.
Late last week, State Representative Quang Nguyen announced that he had introduced HCR 2053, which “would amend the Arizona Constitution to eliminate legislative immunity for Arizona lawmakers for all traffic violations.”
In a statement that accompanied the release, Nguyen said, “Elected officials should not have special privileges that allow them to break the law without accountability. The people we serve are expected to follow traffic laws, and legislators should be no different. If a lawmaker is caught speeding, running a red light, or committing any other traffic violation, they should face the same consequences as everyone else.”
Representative Nguyen added, “No one should be above the rules of the road. Lawmakers should follow the same laws they create and enforce. We are lawmakers, not lawbreakers.”
According to the press release from Nguyen’s office, “Under current law, Article IV, Part 2, Section 6 of the Arizona Constitution grants legislators immunity from arrest in all cases except treason, felony, and breaches of the peace while the Legislature is in session.”
If passed by the Arizona House and Senate, HCR 2053 would go directly to the November 2026 General Election ballot to be considered by the state’s voters, bypassing Governor Katie Hobbs. If a majority of voters were to give approval to this resolution, the Arizona Constitution would be amended to ensure that all state legislators were not able to avail themselves of this exemption.
The Vice Mayor for the City of Surprise, Jack Hastings, gave this proposal a hearty endorsement, writing, “Thank you Quang Nguyen! Nothing is more petty than an elected official using their office to try to get out of a speeding ticket.”
Nguyen’s release revealed that this resolution would “be considered by the House in the coming weeks.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
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