Phoenix Criminal Law News

New Evidence in Isabel Celis Case Includes Blood Stains

2012-05-25T21:01:16Z

For the first time in 5 weeks, Tucson police have released new information about the disappearance of Isabel Celis, AZfamily.com reports.

On Friday, Tucson Police Department released around 550 pages of documents from its investigation of the girl’s disappearance. The documents include evidence of blood found at the Celis’ residence.

Celis was last seen in her bedroom at around 11 p.m. on April 20. At aroung 8 a.m. the next morning, her father discovered that she was missing. Since then, police have officially classified the disappearance as an abduction, but have released few details about the investigation.

According to the documents, investigators found footprints in an alleyway near Celis’ home. Detectives also reportedly found blood on the floor of the house.

In addition, a white hat and a vinyl shower curtain seized from a car parked at the home was said to have “dark red-brown or brown stains,” according to the reports. Police didn’t test the hat or curtain for blood stains in order to keep the items in their original condition for crime-lab technicians to examine. One officer reported that a substance on the driver’s seat tested positive as blood.

Under Arizona’s criminal code, kidnapping is defined as “knowingly restraining another person with the intent to” hold the victim for ransom, involuntary servitude, or as a hostage, or to inflict death, physical injury, or a sexual offense on the victim. Kidnapping is a class 2 felony, unless the victim is voluntarily released by the defendant without physical injury in a safe place before an arrest. In that case, it’s a Class 4 felony.

Hundreds of officers have taken part in the investigation into Isabel Celis’ disappearance. So far, the Tucson Police Department has spent more than $1 million on the investigation.

Related Resources:

Find a Phoenix Criminal Law Attorney (FindLaw)
Missing Arizona Girl Isabel Celis’s Bedroom Had Possible Blood Stains (ABC News)
Crimes Against the Person (FindLaw)
Police, FBI Search for Missing 6-Year-Old Tucson Girl (FindLaw’s Phoenix Criminal Law Blog)

Accused Cat Hoarder Made 'Feline Stew' with Dead Pets

2012-05-24T21:04:07Z

This week, Maricopa County Sheriff’s deputies arrested an alleged cat hoarder who admitted to making “feline stew” with the bodies of deceased cats, AZfamily.com reports.

Deputies charged 81-year-old Lucienne Touboul with 26 counts of animal cruelty and neglect. This isn’t her first run in with the law for animal cruelty.

On Wednesday, Maricopa County Sheriff's deputies served a warrant on Touboul's home for an animal cruelty investigation. They found the home in disarray, filled with dozens of cats in poor health. Deputies and Arizona Humane Society workers who entered the house were struck by the scene.

"We went in there; our eyes are watering." Nancy Bradley, an employee of the Arizona Humane Society, said. "Think about what that does if you have an upper respiratory infection, where your sinuses are congested and your eyes are congested with conjunctivitis."

Touboul reportedly has a history of cat hoarding. In June 2010, authorities searched Touboul's house on a warrant for animal cruelty. They found nine frozen cats in her freezer. Touboul admitted that she used the cats to make feline stew.

"I found myself thinking that in 50 years of law enforcement, I've never heard of a case quite like this where an animal lover presumably turns her much loved pets into stew," Sheriff Joe Arpaio said of the 2010 case.

Under Arizona law, a person commits animal cruelty by intentionally or knowingly subjecting any animal under the person's custody or control to cruel neglect or abandonment that results in serious physical injury to the animal. As Touboul allegedly neglected her cats to the point of impairing their health, she may be found guilty under the statute.

Deputies removed 64 cats from Lucienne Touboul's home. Veterinarians examined the cats for leukemia and other diseases. Once they're treated, the cats will be moved to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Animal Safe House.

Related Resources:

Find a Phoenix Criminal Law Attorney (FindLaw)
81-year-old Ariz. woman facing animal cruelty charges (The Associated Press)
Dog Bites and Animal Attacks (FindLaw)
Abuse and Neglect Laws (FindLaw)

MCSO: Sexual Predator Lured Victims on Craigslist

2012-05-22T21:07:19Z

Maricopa County Sheriff’s deputies have arrested a man on accusations that he kidnapped and sexually assaulted at least two people, AZfamily.com reports.

Lee Charles Lubonne, a father of two, has been charged with sexual assault, sexual abuse, and kidnapping. According to authorities, Lubonne used Craigslist to lure his victims.

Lubonne allegedly posted job ads on Craigslist and other sites claiming he had a position open. Sarah Walker, one of Lubonne’s alleged victims, was lured in by the promise of work as a photographer.

On Saturday, Walker went to Lubonne’s home for a supposed photo shoot. Lubonne allegedly drugged Walker then sexually assaulted her.

“I started to feel the effects of something that he put in the water,” Walker said. “He threw me over his shoulder and took me into his bedroom and I was in there for about two hours … He had a whole bag of basically torture devices and I was scared for my life.”

Walker eventually escaped after telling Lubonne that her ankle monitor, from a previous charge, was going to go off soon. Upon searching Lubonne’s home, police found hard drives in a locked safe, recording devices in multiple rooms, prescription pills, and women’s possessions they believe Lubonne kept as souvenirs.

Authorities have linked Lubonne with the rape of a 15-year-old girl that happened in March. Lubonne reportedly found the girl’s babysitting ad on Craigslist.

Under Arizona’s Criminal Code, a person commits sexual assault by knowingly engaging in sexual intercourse or oral sex with any person without the person’s consent. Sexual assault is a class 2 felony and is punishable by 5-1/4 to 14 years in prison. If the defendant drugged the victim, three additional years may be added to the sentence in certain circumstances.

Lee Charles Lubonne is currently being held without bail. If he’s convicted of the charges against him he could be facing a prison term of several decades.

Related Resources:

Find a Phoenix Criminal Law Attorney (FindLaw)
Self-Proclaimed ‘Sex Pig’ Held on Rape Charges (CBS News)
Sexual Assault Defenses (FindLaw)
Sexual Assault Penalties and Sentencing (FindLaw)

Tire Iron Beats Scissors: Racial Slur Leads to Circle K Brawl

2012-05-21T21:03:26Z

On Sunday, two men were hospitalized after getting into a violent altercation over a racial slur, The Arizona Republic reports.

According to police, a Caucasian homeless man yelled a racial epithet at an African American man outside of a Phoenix Circle K. When the man confronted the homeless individual, things got violent.

At around 7:45 p.m., the 52-year-old African American man drove his Jeep Cherokee into the parking lot of a Circle K on Indian School Road. He was greeted by a 48-year-old homeless man, who reportedly hurled a racial slur at the man.

When the 52-year-old man confronted the homeless man, the homeless man allegedly stabbed him with a pair of scissors. The African American man went back to his Jeep and grabbed a tire iron to defend himself. After being stabbed again in the arm, the African American man struck his assailant over the head with the tire iron.

Although police haven’t reported whether charges have been filed, both men could face aggravated assault and battery charges for the parking lot brawl. Battery is the intentional touching or application of force to the body of another person in a harmful, or offensive matter without consent.

Under Arizona’s criminal code, a person commits aggravated assault if the person commits an assault that causes serious physical injury or involves the use of a deadly or dangerous weapon. Both a tire iron and a pair of scissors would probably be considered dangerous or deadly weapons since they could be used to kill someone.

Since the homeless man was allegedly the aggressor in the fight, the African American man could probably claim self-defense in the attack. Under Arizona’s self-defense statute, a person is justified in threatening or using physical force against another where a reasonable person would believe that physical force is immediately necessary to protect himself against another person’s unlawful use of force. As the African American man didn’t attack until he was stabbed by the homeless man, he likely has a viable self-defense argument.

According to Phoenix police, both men were taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Related Resources:

Find a Phoenix Criminal Law Attorney (FindLaw)
Police: Racial slur leads to fight at Circle K (Fox News)
Aggravated Assault (FindLaw)
Assault and Battery Penalties and Sentencing (FindLaw)

Jogging in the Bike Lane: A Breach of Public Peace?

2012-05-18T16:03:32Z

On Wednesday, Gilbert police arrested a man for allegedly trying to make a citizen’s arrest on a jogger for running in the bike lane, the Phoenix New Times reports.

Kyle Frost was apparently so upset about a man jogging in the bicycle lane that he decided to take the law into his own hands. Frost was then booked into jail on suspicion of unlawful imprisonment, disorderly conduct, and assault.

At around 7:30 a.m., 47-year-old Frost saw the victim allegedly jogging in the bike lane on Islands Drive West. He was apparently so enraged by the sight that he “grabbed” the main and restrained him.

Frost then called the police, claiming his name was “Jack” Frost. He informed them that he had just made a citizen’s arrest on a man for jogging in the bike lane.

When police arrived on the scene, they arrested Frost instead of the jogger. They also found a .40-caliber Glock pistol tucked into Frost’s waistband. Frost may be facing unlawful imprisonment, disorderly conduct, and assault charges.

Under Arizona’s Criminal Code, a private person can make an arrest if he witnesses another person commit a misdemeanor or felony that amounts to “a breach of the peace,” or if a felony has been committed and the person has reasonable grounds to believe that the person to be arrested committed it.

According to Sergeant Bill Balafas, spokesman for the Gilbert Police Department, bike lanes are “for the exclusive use of bicycles,” and jogging on one is illegal. Then why wasn’t Frost commended for his arrest rather than arrested himself?

Well, “jogging in the bike lane is far from a breach of public peace,” according to Balafas. It’s also not a felony offense. Therefore, Frost’s citizen’s arrest wasn’t protected under the law.

Gilbert police are currently investigating whether Kyle Frost may be prohibited from owning a gun based on a prior felony conviction.

Related Resources:

Find a Phoenix Criminal Law Attorney (FindLaw)
PD: Man grabs jogger, tries to make citizen’s arrest in Gilbert (AZfamily.com)
Assault Basics (FindLaw)
Disorderly Conduct (FindLaw)

Oro Valley Teacher Arrested for Sexual Conduct with Students

2012-05-17T21:01:36Z

Police have arrested an Ironwood Ridge High School art teacher on accusations that she engaged in sexual acts with two of her students on several occasions, the Arizona Daily Star reports.

Melissa Ann Dalton has been charged with four counts of sexual conduct with a minor. The reported victims of the crimes were both male and 15 and 16 years old respectively.

According to police, 33-year-old Dalton began a sexual relationship with one of her 16-year-old students less than a year after she started teaching at the school. Dalton and the student allegedly had sexual intercourse on February 22. They then had sex two more times that week, according to a complaint filed in Pima County Justice Court.

All instances reportedly took place in Dalton’s car which was parked in the desert near the high school. In another incident, Dalton is accused of engaging in a sex act with a 15-year-old student in her classroom.

Under Arizona’s criminal code, a person commits sexual conduct with a minor by intentionally or knowingly engaging in sexual intercourse or oral sexual contact with any person who is under 18 years of age. Generally, sexual conduct with a minor is a class 6 felony if the minor is at least 15 years old. However, if the perpetrator is the minor’s teacher, clergyman, or priest, it’s a class 2 felony and carries harsher penalties.

If the allegations against Melissa Ann Dalton prove to be true, she’ll likely be convicted of a class 2 felony and sentenced to a lengthy prison term. Dalton is currently on paid administrative leave from her position at Ironwood Ridge High School.

Related Resources:

Find a Phoenix Criminal Law Attorney (FindLaw)
Oro Valley teacher indicted for sexual misconduct (AZfamily.com)
Statutory Rape (FindLaw)
Sex Crimes (FindLaw)

Man Gets 42 Years for Phoenix Armored Car Robberies

2012-05-14T19:03:55Z

On Friday, a man convicted of committing a series of armed robberies in the Phoenix area in 2009 and 2010 was sentenced to 42 years in prison, The Arizona Republic reports.

Stephen Bernard Young pleaded guilty to eight counts of armed robbery for three separate incidents. Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Robert Gottsfield sentenced Young to two 21-year terms for the robberies.

According to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, 52-year-old Young committed three armored car robberies in the Phoenix area in 2009. Young allegedly committed one of the robberies at a Phoenix Walmart, another at a Fry’s supermarket in Phoenix, and another at a Glendale Walmart. In addition to the armored car robberies, Young reportedly robbed three Bank of America branches between May 2009 and August 2010.

During his last robbery, security cameras captured Young shooting a security guard twice in the leg and groin. FBI investigators were able to track down Young after finding his fingerprints on a car he stole at gunpoint. Authorities found $4,000 of stolen money stashed in Young’s engine and over $86,000 hidden in a storage locker.

Under Arizona’s criminal code, a person commits armed robbery if, in committing a robbery, a person is armed with a deadly weapon or simulated deadly weapon, or uses or threatens to use a deadly weapon or simulated deadly weapon. Armed robbery is a class 2 felony in Arizona.

According to police, Stephen Bernard Young stole around $229,383 in the two years he was committing armed robberies. Now, he’ll likely spend the rest of his life behind bars for his crimes.

Related Resources:

Find a Phoenix Criminal Law Attorney (FindLaw)
Serial Phoenix bank robber gets 42 years in prison (CBS News)
Robbery Defenses (FindLaw)
Robbery Penalties and Sentencing (FindLaw)

Mesa Cardiologist Pleads Guilty in Patient Abuse Case

2012-05-11T22:06:28Z

On Thursday, a Mesa cardiologist entered into a plea agreement over accusations that he inappropriately touched or sexually abused 19 of his female patients, The Arizona Republic reports.

In 2010, 19 of Dr. Richard Lewis’ female patients came forward, accusing the cardiologist of inappropriate sexual touching, and even rape in some cases, during treatment or examinations. Lewis was indicted on 61 counts of sexual assault and related crimes.

In one instance, Lewis allegedly fondled a patient’s breasts while she was sedated. The patient reportedly screamed, when the doctor pinched her breasts. Two nurses witnessed the incident and later reported it to the authorities. According to authorities, 18 other patients had similar stories.

While Lewis was facing more serious crimes, he pleaded guilty to 18 counts of aggravated assault, a more minor charge than many of those he was facing. Under the plea agreement, Lewis will lose his medical license, but won’t have to register as a sex offender. He’ll probably only face probation, though minimal jail time is a possibility.

An assault is an intentional attempt or threat to inflict injury upon another, combined with the apparent ability to cause the harm, creating a reasonable apprehension of bodily harm or offensive contact in the other person. Under Arizona’s criminal code, aggravated assault occurs when a person commits an assault in certain aggravating circumstances, including “while the victim is bound or otherwise physically restrained or while the victim’s capacity to resist is substantially impaired,” as was the case with the sedated victim.

Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery attributed Dr. Richard Lewis’ relatively lenient sentence to the reluctance of jurors to convict physicians of sex crimes in clinical settings. Montgomery contended, however, that the victims were satisfied with the results. ”The two things that were of greatest concern to the victims is, they wanted him to be convicted of a felony and never be able to practice again,” Montgomery said.

Related Resources:

Find a Phoenix Criminal Law Attorney (FindLaw)
Mesa Doctor Pleads Guilty to Abusing Female Patients (AZfamily.com)
Sexual Assault Overview (FindLaw)
Sexual Assault Defenses (FIndLaw)

Cortez High School Coach Accused of Luring Minor for Sex

2012-05-09T18:01:34Z

On Monday, Phoenix police arrested a teacher and football coach at Cortez High School on accusations that the man tried to lure a minor for sex on the Internet, AZfamily.com reports.

According to the Phoenix Police Department, 44-year-old Jeffrey Huelster was charged with one count of aggravated sexual luring of a minor and two counts of luring a minor for sexual exploitation, both of which are classified as Dangerous Crimes Against Children under Arizona's criminal code.

The investigation that culminated in Huelster's arrest began in North Dakota, where officers first discovered the man's alleged Internet activities. On Monday morning, detectives from the Arizona Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force served search warrants for the high school and Huestler's residence. Investigators believe that Huestler conducted some of the alleged Internet activity from the high school.

Under Arizona's criminal code, a person commits aggravated luring of a minor for sexual exploitation if he does both of the following:

Electronically sends at least one inappropriate photo or image to a minor in order to initiate communication with the minor, and
Offers or solicits sexual conduct with the minor

Aggravated luring of a minor for sexual exploitation is a class 2 felony. If the minor is under 15 years old, it's punishable by 10 to 24 years in prison.

Jeffrey Huelster has been teaching at Cortez High School for 3 years but has been teaching and coaching football for 16 years and 23 years respectively, reports AZfamily.com. If you have any information about Huelster or the alleged crimes, investigators ask you to contact the Phoenix Police Department's Family Investigation Bureau at (602) 534-2121.

Related Resources:

Find a Phoenix Criminal Law Attorney (FindLaw)
Phoenix Teacher, Coach Accused in Sexual Exploitation of Minor (The Arizona Republic)
Cyber Crimes (FindLaw)
Sex Offenders and Sex Offenses (FindLaw)

Police: Woman Lied About Having Cancer to Get Breast Implants

2012-05-07T18:02:07Z

A Phoenix woman has been arrested on accusations that she lied about having breast cancer to collect thousands of dollars which she used to buy breast implants, AZfamily.com reports.

According to police, 27-year-old Jami Toler collected the money from family, friends, and co-workers, telling them it was for cancer treatment. Toler has been charged with felony fraud and theft.

Toler reportedly started a GiveForward webpage in order to collect donations for a double mastectomy. Toler wrote on the site that she has breast cancer, but no health insurance. Toler reportedly raised $8,000 through the site.

Toler's ruse fell apart when she declined a doctor's offer to treat her cancer for free. Carmen Klemis, one of Toler's co-workers at Hallmark Hospice, then notified the police. Mesa police arrested Toler at her work after looking into her medical history.

"Her medical records indicated that there was no breast cancer or anything like that, no issues what so ever," Mesa police Sgt. Anthony Landato said.

According to Mesa police, 17 people were victims of the alleged fraud, though Toler likely told many more people that she had cancer.

Under Arizona's criminal code, a person who obtains money, property, or services from another on the basis of a material misrepresentation has committed theft. Theft of property or services with a value of $4,000 to $25,000, as is the case with Toler, is a class 3 felony.

A Maricopa County judge has ordered Jami Toler to wear an ankle monitor while she awaits trial. Police didn't say whether Toler would be required to “return” the implants if convicted.

Related Resources:

Find a Phoenix Criminal Law Attorney (FindLaw)
Woman Faked Cancer to Have Breasts Augmented (ABC News)
Theft Overview (FindLaw)
Cop’s Wife Faked Cancer, Stole $60K from Charity (FindLaw’s Blotter)

Police: Gilbert Shooting that Left 5 Dead was Murder-Suicide

2012-05-03T22:07:18Z

Police now believe that a shooting that left five people dead in Gilbert on Wednesday was a domestic-violence incident, The Arizona Republic reports.

According to police, Jason Todd Ready shot and killed four members of his household, including a 15-month-old girl, before committing suicide. Ready reportedly had ties to neo-Nazi and Minutemen groups.

Initially, it was rumored that the killings were carried out by a Mexican drug cartel as retaliation for Ready’s militia work. Police have stated, however, that there’s no truth to the rumor. Instead, authorities believe that the killings were a murder-suicide carried out by Ready. According to police, there’s no evidence that outside players were involved in the incident.

The shooting took place on Wednesday in the Gilbert home that Ready shared with others. All five of the deceased individuals were either living in the home or had lived there until recently, according to neighbors.

Police believe that Ready, for unknown reasons, shot and killed four people before taking his own life. A 15-month-old infant, the infant’s 24-year-old mother, and the infant’s 47-year-old grandmother were among the victims. One resident of the house, who survived the attack, reportedly heard the shooting take place from another room, but didn’t see it occur.

Under Arizona law, it’s technically illegal to commit suicide. However, it’s unlikely that anyone would ever be prosecuted for attempting suicide in the state. Under the state’s criminal code, first-degree murder is generally defined as an intentional, premeditated killing. It’s a class 1 felony, and is punishable by death or life imprisonment.

Police have not yet determined the motive for Jason Todd Reddy’s alleged murder-suicide rampage.

Related Resources:

Find a Phoenix Criminal Law Attorney (FindLaw)
Police believe Neo-Nazi Killed 4, Himself in Gilbert (AZfamily.com)
Is it legal to commit suicide? (FindLaw)
Homicide (FindLaw)

New Anti-Stalking Bill Covers Internet, Text Harassment

2012-05-02T19:16:57Z

On Monday, state lawmakers in both the House and the Senate approved a new bill that would revise Arizona’s anti-stalking law to incorporate electronic communications, AZfamily.com reports.

House Bill 2549 includes both smartphone and cyber communications within its definition of stalking. However, it doesn’t include harassment on social media sites like Facebook.

The bill’s sponsor, State Rep. Ted Vogt, stressed that Arizona’s 40-year-old anti-stalking law is in dire need of an update. “It was put on the books back in the early ’70s and we’ve just never gotten around to updating it, and the fact of the matter is we communicate in a vastly different way in 2012,” Vogt said.

An earlier version of the bill came under fire recently from social media users. The older version of the bill would have made it a crime to “annoy” or “offend” someone online. The new bill removes that language over concerns about free speech issues.

The revised bill incorporates new forms of communication by making it illegal to “terrify, intimidate, threaten or harass” a person through various forms of electronic communication like email, texts, or instant messages. However, the bill excludes social media sites like Facebook or Twitter from its definition of electronic communications.

“If you’re leaving your Facebook message board open, you’re basically soliciting people to leave messages there,” Vogt explained. “And especially with Facebook you have the ability to delete those posts and ban a user.”

Stalking is a relatively new crime. It’s generally defined as a pattern of conduct involving harassment and threats to another person that puts that person in fear for his or her safety. Under Arizona’s current law, if the conduct would put a reasonable person in fear for her safety or the safety of her family, it’s a Class 5 felony. If the conduct would cause a reasonable person to fear death or the death of her family, it’s a Class 3 felony.

The new anti-stalking bill will now go to Gov. Jan Brewer to sign or veto. If it’s passed into law, the bill will hopefully have a chilling effect on electronic harassment.

Related Resources:

Find a Phoenix Criminal Law Attorney (FindLaw)
Arizona Anti-Stalking Bill Passed by Lawmakers (The Associated Press)
Stalking and Domestic Violence (FindLaw)
Harassment (FindLaw)

Tucson Police Pursue New Leads in Isabel Celis Case

2012-05-01T15:02:53Z

Tucson police are pursuing new leads in the search for Isabel Mercedes Celis, The Associated Press reports. 6-year-old Celis vanished from her Tucson home sometime between the evening of April 20 and the early morning hours of April 21.

Police have ruled out the possibility that Isabel woke up in the middle of the night and left her home on her own. They’re now interviewing individuals captured in surveillance footage walking near the girl’s home around the time of her disappearance.

Celis was last seen by her family in her bedroom at 11 p.m. on April 20. At 8 a.m. on April 21, her parents discovered that the girl was missing. Police believe that the perpetrator may have entered Celis’ bedroom by removing a screen and opening a window.

Police are now investigating a video that captured a group of five people walking in a parking lot from a night club near Celis’ home on the night of the girl’s disappearance. Police have already talked to three of the five individuals to determine whether they saw anything unusual in the early morning hours.

Under Arizona’s criminal code, kidnapping is defined as “knowingly restraining another person with the intent to” hold the victim for ransom, involuntary servitude, or as a hostage, or to inflict death, physical injury, or a sexual offense on the victim. If the victim is under 15-years-old, as is the case with Celis, kidnapping is a Class 2 felony, and is punishable by 10 to 24 years in prison.

Police in the northern Mexican state of Sonora are currently on the lookout for Isabel Mercedes Celis as well, in case the girl was spirited away to Mexico. If Celis was kidnapped and the perpetrator is caught, he or she will likely be going away for at least a decade.

Related Resources:

Find a Phoenix Criminal Law Attorney (FindLaw)
Isabel Celis: Detectives ID Person in Surveillance Video Linked to Missing Girl’s Case (AZfamily.com)
Kidnapping (FindLaw’s LawBrain)
Police, FBI Search for Missing 6-Year-Old Tucson Girl (FindLaw’s Phoenix Criminal Law News Blog)

Prisoner Makes Escape Attempt at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport

2012-04-27T19:36:07Z

Late Thursday afternoon, US Airways employees thwarted a prisoner’s attempt to escape at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, AZfamily.com reports.

John Riebesel was being extradited from Detroit to Yavapai County on drug charges. He reportedly used the trip as an opportunity to attempt an escape from police custody.

During his flight from Detroit to Phoenix, 22-year-old Riebesel allegedly removed an ankle bracelet that officers could use to administer an electric shock should the man try to escape. While in Terminal 3 of the airport, Riebesel made his escape, slipping away from the officers who were accompanying him as they walked toward an elevator.

The officers only realized Riebesel’s ankle bracelet was missing when they tried to administer a shock to him. Riebesel made his way to the tarmac area of Terminal 4 where a US Airways employee spotted the man. The employee asked to see his ID, but Riebesel claimed he had forgotten it.

Riebesel then reportedly tried to steal a tug used to move airplanes. That’s when the US Airways employee and several of his co-workers grabbed the man and restrained him until police arrived to take him into custody.

Riebesel is now facing escape charges in addition to his prior drug charges. Under Arizona’s criminal code, a person commits escape in the second-degree if he knowingly escapes or attempts to escape from custody imposed as a result of having been arrested for, charged with, or found guilty of a felony. Escape in the second-degree is a Class 5 felony. The sentence imposed must be served consecutively to any sentence from the original crime for which the person was in custody.

In a newsletter, the Phoenix Police Department commended the US Airways employees for their efforts in halting John Riebesel’s escape. Riebesel has been turned over to Yavapai County officials to face the drug and escape charges.

Related Resources:

Find a Phoenix Criminal Law Attorney (FindLaw)
Suspect Makes Escape Attempt at Phoenix Airport (Fox News)
Drug Charges (FindLaw)
Drug Possession (FindLaw)

Suspect Arrested in Phoenix ITT Campus Shooting

2012-04-26T18:05:42Z

On Wednesday morning, Phoenix police arrested a suspect in the shooting of an ITT Technical Institute counselor that took place in the parking lot of the institute’s West Valley Campus, The Arizona Republic reports.

Carlos L. Webb was arrested on suspicion of shooting a 30-year-old woman and threatening his ex-girlfriend on Tuesday night at the campus. Webb was a student at the school.

According to police, 33-year-old Webb went to the campus to confront his ex-girlfriend who had recently broken up with him. Webb allegedly pulled up his shirt during a class to show the woman his gun. Webb tried to get the woman to accompany him after class, but she refused, according to police.

After leaving for a short time, Webb returned to campus and got into an argument with a guidance counselor. Webb then reportedly forced the woman to follow him to the parking lot at gunpoint. When the counselor attempted to run, Webb allegedly shot her in the abdomen.

The woman was taken to a nearby hospital in critical but stable condition. The campus was immediately placed in lockdown mode, with police eventually evacuating around 70 students and faculty.

Under Arizona’s criminal code, aggravated assault is defined as an assault that causes serious physical injury to another, involves the use of a deadly weapon, takes place in a private home, or causes temporary but substantial disfigurement. Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon is a Class 2 felony and carries a mandatory prison sentence of 7 to 21 years.

Carlos L. Webb peacefully surrendered to a tactical team that surrounded the home where he was hiding Wednesday morning. When police searched the home they found several weapons and a note Webb had written stating that he would not surrender peacefully.

Related Resources:

Find a Phoenix Criminal Law Attorney (FindLaw)
Suspect in Shooting at ITT Tech in Custody (AZfamily.com)
Assault Basics (FindLaw)
Crimes Against the Person (FindLaw)