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July 21, 2008

Rapper DMX arrested at Phoenix mall

Rapper DMX was arrested at a Phoenix mall Saturday on suspicion that he gave a gave a false name and Social Security number to a hospital to get out of paying for medical expenses. Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said that when DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons, went to Scottsdale's Mayo Clinic in April, he used the name "Troy Jones" and failed to pay a $7,500 bill. DMX's Scottsdale attorney, Cameron Morgan, declined to comment. Arpaio said his office began investigating the charge following an animal neglect investigation last year at the 37-year-old rapper's north Phoenix home. DMX was arrested in that case on felony drug possession and misdemeanor animal cruelty charges after authorities seized 12 pit bull dogs and dug up the remains of three others. The musician/actor has had other recent run-ins with the law, including an arrest at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport earlier this month on outstanding warrants after he failed to appear in court. The week before, he was arrested in Miami on charges of attempting to purchase cocaine and marijuana. "He's back in jail again," Arpaio said. "I don't know why judges keep letting this guy out. Every time he goes in there, he gets out on bond. "I'm hoping this is the one time he's going to pay the penalty for his offense," he added. Arpaio said the bond had not been set in the recent arrest. If DMX remains jailed, the sheriff said he would be isolated from the rest of the inmates for his own safety. "They may not like his music," he said.

If someone you know has been arrested and charged with a criminal offense, contact our office for a free consultation with an experienced criminal defense attorney at arizonacriminaldefenselawfirm.com

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July 16, 2008

Hausner brother linked to another serial killing

Phoenix police have identified a second case that the brother of one of the accused serial shooters may be involved in. On Tuesday, police said Jeffrey Hausner, brother of Dale Hausner, stabbed 35-year-old Timothy Davenport in a west Phoenix parking lot. Around 6 a.m. on May 17, 2006, Davenport was stabbed repeatedly in the back and left side in a parking lot at 4827 N. 75th Ave. Jeffrey Hausner is serving a 7 1/2-year prison term for the stabbing of a homeless man on April 14, 2006. That case has not been linked to the serial shooters' killing spree. Dale Hausner and Samuel Dieteman were arrested in August 2006 at their Mesa apartment. They are charged in connection with a monthslong spree of violence across the Valley that left eight people dead and 14 others wounded. Authorities allege that the pair drove around Phoenix, Mesa and Scottsdale and shot people and animals at random with a shotgun. Dieteman has pleaded guilty to two murders and has agreed to testify against Dale Hausner, who faces eight murder charges and has pleaded not guilty. Investigators believe that Dale Hausner and Dieteman were with Jeff Hausner during the stabbing of Davenport. The case was submitted to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office for prosecution, and Jeffrey Hausner is now facing charges of attempted murder in that stabbing. Jeffrey Hausner has also been linked to another shooting police say involved his brother and Dieteman. That one was in November 2005 and involved the killing of Nathaniel Schoffner, a transient who tried to intervene to stop the men from killing a dog in Phoenix. If you or someone you know has been charged with a criminal offense, contact an experienced aggressive criminal defense attorney at arizonacriminaldefenselawfirm.com

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July 13, 2008

Bloody trail leads police to burglary suspect

Police responding to burglar alarms early Thursday morning discovered a trail of blood between two Mesa businesses left by a man surveillance tapes show walked barefoot over broken glass after smashing store windows with a rock. About 5 a.m. police responded to alarms at Taco Bell, Subway and Water & Ice in the same shopping complex on East Brown Road near Mesa Drive. According to a police report, the man's first target was the Taco Bell. Video surveillance showed him walking around inside moving objects but not taking anything, police said. Next he went to Subway where surveillance shows the man walking over broken glass from the smashed window in bare feet. The tape shows he left the restaurant abruptly after being startled by something. Police discovered a blood trail that began in Subway and led them to Water & Ice, where it was discovered that a cash register and cash was taken. Police found Anthony Lazzaroni, 18, walking in a nearby canal after he was pointed out by witnesses as a possible suspect. During interviews with police, Lazzaroni - who had cuts on the bottom of his feet that required medical attention - appeared to be sleepy and lethargic and said he did not know his address because he is living with friends and has only lived in Arizona for two weeks, authorities said. He was arrested on suspicion of three counts of third-degree burglary. The stolen items were not recovered. If you or someone you know has been charged with a criminal offense, contact an attorney with the necessary experience to efficiently handle your claim. Contact an attorney at Beauchamp Law Office for a free consultation of your case at arizonacriminaldefenselawfirm.com

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July 11, 2008

New grand jury sought in 'Baseline Killer' case

Less than a month before Baseline Killer suspect Mark Goudeau is set to go on trial in the slayings of eight women and one man, his lawyer wants to send his murder case back to a grand jury. His lawyer claims the grand jury that returned an indictment of Goudeau last year was biased. He said Friday it's likely the Aug. 6 trial date will be pushed back while a judge can decide the matter. County Attorney Andrew Thomas said he will push to get a trial started as soon as possible. "Our office will do its utmost to make sure this case moves forward to trial despite these last-minute efforts," Thomas said in a statement. Goudeau faces 74 criminal charges, including nine murder counts, stemming from a crime spree in 2005 and 2006 that police have attributed to the "Baseline Killer," named for the south Phoenix street where many of the early attacks took place. He has pleaded not guilty. The slayings were behind one of two serial murder investigations that put the Phoenix area on edge for months during the summer of 2006. In addition to the Baseline Killer case, assailants dubbed the "serial shooters" were also on the loose. One of two men arrested in that case has pleaded guilty to two counts of murder. Samuel Dieteman agreed to testify against his co-defendant, Dale Hausner, who faces eight murder charges and has pleaded not guilty. In court documents, Goudeau's lawyer pointed out that the grand jury forewoman was Goudeau's neighbor. During a Jan. 12, 2007, hearing, the forewoman told prosecutors that media reports about the killings made her scared of him. The forewoman added that she was "prejudicial somewhat toward him," according to court documents. When the prosecutor asked her to elaborate, she said in front of other jurors that: "I was just -- I'm scared because I'm thinking, you know, he was just like right on the street right next to me and if indeed, you know, (he) committed these things, it just -- it made me scared to think I live nearby." Prosecutors point out in a response to the defense lawyer's request that the forewoman said during the hearing that she had not made her mind up about the truth of the allegations against Goudeau. The forewoman also said she could be impartial in the case. Four days later, on Jan. 16, 2007, the grand jury returned an indictment against Goudeau. Judge Warren Granville scheduled a hearing on Aug. 1 to discuss the issue. The next trial for Goudeau will be his second in the Baseline Killer case. Goudeau was convicted last year of sexually assaulting two sisters -- attacks also blamed on the Baseline Killer -- and sentenced to 438 years in prison. To speak with an experienced, aggressive and knowledgeable attorney regarding pending criminal charges, contact Beauchamp Law Office for a free consultation at arizonacriminaldefenselawfirm.com

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July 3, 2008

Jury convicts father of starving 3 kids for "vegan lifestyle"

A Phoenix jury convicted a Valley father on Thursday accused of starving his three young children for what he called a "vegan lifestyle." The jury convicted Parker of lesser charges. The three yound children, who allegedly were fed a strict vegan diet -- no meat or animal byproducts, suffered from severe malnutrition, barely looking their ages. The jury -- seven men and five women -- found Blair Parker guilty on all three counts, but they were lesser charges of negligent child abuse and wreckless child abuse. The lesser charges mean there is no mandatory prison time and Parker will be eligible for parole. The kids' mother, Kimu Parker, had already been found guilty of the more severe charges of child abuse. She was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Blair Parker's trial begain about a month ago. Like his wife, he faced a possible sentence of 30 years. The children were taken into state custody in the spring of 2005. Photos of them stunned the Valley. An 11-year-old girl weighed just 36 pounds. Her 9-year-old brother weighed 29 pounds. The youngest child, a 3-year-old girl, weighed only 12 pounds. The doctor who examined her said she could see every bone in the child's body. The case came to light after the 3-year-old was rushed to the hospital because of seizures. The Parkers said at the time that they had their children on a strict vegan diet. A social worker said that after the children were hospitalized, they grew and gained weight. If you have been charged with a criminal offense, Beauchamp Law Office has attorneys available 24/7 for a consultation for your charges. Contact arizonacriminaldefenselawfirm.com

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June 30, 2008

Mom gets 10 years for failing to protect kids from boyfriend

Christina Latoya Lacy. 22 of Phoenix has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after failing to protect two of her daughters from a violent boyfriend, who killed one of them, a baby. Lacy, who pleaded guilty to child abuse and attempted child abuse, also was placed on lifetime probation. The sentences were handed down Friday in Maricopa County Superior Court. The boyfriend, Jonathan Ray Dudley, 23, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and child abuse and was sentenced March 18 to 35 years in prison. Prosecutors said the crimes occurred March 19, 2006, at an apartment in the 3800 block of West McDowell Road while Dudley was babysitting Lacy's three small children. When Lacy arrived home Dudley quickly departed after borrowing money from Lacy to purchase alcohol, authorities said. Ten minutes later, Lacy noticed that the baby, Zacorah, was not breathing and was lifeless on a bed with a large bruise on her stomach. Lacy called 911 and the baby was transported to a Phoenix hospital where she was pronounced dead, authorities said. Phoenix police said Lacy accused Dudley of breaking Zacorah's legs a month earlier. Police also said that after Dudley was arrested, he admitted assaulting the baby as well as striking an older sibling, a 2-year-old girl, on the back, causing the child to fall and resulting in serious internal injury. Lacy was taken into custody after authorities determined she had failed to protect the two children from Dudley. If you or a family member have been charged with a criminal offense, contact Beauchamp Law Office for a consultation with an experienced aggressive criminal defense attorney at arizonacriminaldefenselawfirm.com

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June 28, 2008

Ex-Higley aide gets maximum in sex case

A former teaching assistant accused of having sex with a Higley High School student was given the maximum sentence at a Maricopa County Superior Court hearing Friday in Mesa, and was admonished by the judge for trying to downplay his role in the case. Judge David Udall ordered Jeremy Ross Calvert, 21, of Gilbert, to lifetime probation, to register as a sex offender and serve two years in prison with credit for the estimated 530 days he's already spent behind bars. Prosecutors are pursuing restitution for the girl and her family. Calvert's attorneys had argued the sexual encounter during a band lesson in November 2006 was likely consensual, but the girl has said it was rape. Calvert was indicted in January 2007 on nine counts of sexual conduct with a minor - a lesser charge than sexual assault but that doesn't determine whether the incident was consensual. Calvert recently confessed to two counts as part of a plea deal. Calvert, who had hoped to become a Navy Seal before his arrest, told the court Friday he was sorry that the incident occurred and hurt everyone in the courtroom, but said his case has attracted more attention than it should have, and then challenged prosecutors' arguments that he had sent harassing text messages and a graphic photo to the victim before his arrest. Udall visibly bristled. After Calvert finished his statement, the judge said: "Throughout the proceedings, you have tended to minimize your involvement in this" and issued the tough sentence. Explaining his decision, Udall noted that Calvert had misused his position as a trusted teacher's aide and the incident occurred on school grounds - violating the professional trust and responsibilities of such a position. The case has hurt friends and family members on both sides, as well as the Higley Unified School District, students and staff and their families. Two of the district's employees resigned in light of the incident, and the situation fueled a political battle between the board and administration that still festers today. If you or a loved on has been charged with a criminal offense, contact Beauchamp Law Office for a free consultation with an experienced professional attorney at arizonacriminaldefenselawfirm.com

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June 16, 2008

Estranged boyfriend shoots girlfriend in the head

A 34-year-old woman was shot Saturday evening after her estranged boyfriend found her in the home of her male friend, officials say.

The male friend and the woman, along with her 2-year-old daughter, arrived around 6:45 p.m. at the friend’s apartment near the intersection of Thomas and Hayden Roads in Scottsdale. Immediately following their arrival, 32-year-old Leroy Edward Clark approached the woman and hit her in the head with the handle of his firearm, according to a release.

The woman fled into the surrounding apartment area where she was followed by Clark. He fired several shots and one bullet hit her in the side of the head, the release said.

After the incident, the suspect fled and has not been found. The identity of the woman has not been released, but she is expected to survive.

If you have been charged with a criminal offense, contact an experienced attorney at Beauchamp Law Office for a free evaluation of your case at http://arizonacriminaldefenselawfirm.com/

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June 11, 2008

Surprise man charged in OxyContin heist pleads guilty

Guilty pleas have been entered by Nathaniel Shaw of Surprise man who was arrested Feb. 26 following a pharmacy robbery in which a bandit made off with nearly 500 pills of OxyContin, a powerful painkiller.

Shaw, 26, will face several punishment options, including probation and prison, when he is sentenced June 26 in Maricopa County Superior Court.

Shaw was arrested after Surprise police received a tip that he had been trying to use forged prescriptions for OxyContin at local pharmacies. Shaw pleaded guilty last month to two counts of forgery and one count of misconduct involving weapons.

In July 2007, Shaw also pleaded guilty to possession of dangerous drugs, driving under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident.

Shaw came under investigation after a Feb. 22 holdup at the Walgreens pharmacy at 11514 W. Waddell Road.

The robber, who claimed to be armed with a gun, handed a pharmacist worker a note demanding the painkiller, according to Surprise police.

After receiving a tip and reviewing surveillance photos, police obtained a search warrant and raided Shaw's home.

Shaw, a convicted felon, was placed on 5 years' probation in November 2003 after pleading guilty to aggravated assault, according to court records.

For a free consultation of your criminal charges by an experienced and aggressive attorney contact Beauchamp Law Office at arizonacriminaldefenselawfirm.com

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June 8, 2008

Senior NYC crane inspector accused of corruption

A veteran New York City crane inspector has been arrested on charges of taking thousands in dollars of bribes and falsifying reports.

James Delayo, an assistant chief inspector with the city's cranes and derricks division, is charged with collecting thousands of dollars in bribes from a crane company.

The city's Department of Investigation said Friday that Delayo tampered with licensing exams by providing the answers for crane operator exams to a crane company.

The city says Delayo's alleged conduct has nothing to do with the two crane collapses that killed nine people since March.

Charged with a criminal offense? Contact Beauchamp Law Office for a free consultation at http://www.arizonacriminaldefenselawfirm.com/

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June 6, 2008

Coolidge man recieves 12 years in prison for Wal-Mart robbery

A Coolidge man convicted of aggravated assault after attempting to rob a Wal-Mart was sentenced to 12 years in prison on Tuesday, according to the Pinal County Attorney's Office.

Ronnie Hursey was with his brother, Lawrence Hursey, who was found not guilty, when he attempted to steal a computer from the Wal-Mart on Hunt Highway in Queen Creek in early May.

Authorities said Hursey, 57, wielded a knife at store security guards after they attempted to stop him.

They said he told the guards he was going to cut them up. Hursey and his brother fled but were caught by Pinal County Sheriff's deputies around two miles from the store.

Beauchamp Law Office is dedicated to providing an agressive defense for all criminal charges. If you have been charged with a criminal offense, contact Beauchamp Law Office for a freee consultation with an experienced attorney at http://www.arizonacriminaldefenselawfirm.com/

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June 4, 2008

Police arrest Mesa man suspected of ID theft totaling $787,000

Mesa Police arrested Adan Betancio Guerrero, 36, of Mesa Tuesday on suspicion of identity theft. Guerrero was arrested after he tried to buy a $33,000 truck using another man’s social security number.

Guerrero racked up more than $787,000 in debt since 2001 using the number, including cars and homes. Guerrero has also been using the 24-year-old victim's Social Security number to get work.

Police made the arrest after Guerrero attempted to buy a truck and it was discovered during a credit check that another customer had the same Social Security number.

Tax records show that Guerrero also has used other Social Security numbers prior to 2002 to obtain employment.

The attorneys at Beauchamp Law Office are highly experienced in all criminal matters. For a free consultation of your criminal charges, contact Beauchamp Law Office for an appointment at http://arizonacriminaldefenselawfirm.com/

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June 1, 2008

Scottsdale Police arrest group for hotel ATM thefts

Scottsdale police have arrested a group of people who they say are responsible for ATM thefts at three hotels totaling $100,000 since March.

The thieves would insert a device into an ATM's card reader and through the use of computer hacking skills, would manipulate the machine’s internal programming to causing the ATM to dispense more cash than it was supposed to.

Onik J. Darmandzhyan, 32, of Glendale and Michael J. DeMatteo, also 32, of Scottsdale, were booked for felony theft. Darmandzhyan also was booked on burglary and drug charges.

Tiffany L. McGrath, 24, of Peoria, was booked for investigation of felony theft, computer tampering and identity theft. The fourth suspect, 30-year-old Alissa M. Kerr, of Scottsdale, was booked on drug charges.

For an experienced, aggressive criminal defense attorney contact Beauchamp Law Office at http://arizonacriminaldefenselawfirm.com/

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May 29, 2008

Florida mother sentenced to 20 years for child abuse

Brenda Sullivan was sentenced to 20 years in prison for aggravated child abouse for keeping her 17-year-old adopted son caged in her home. Sullivan pleaded guilty in January to three counts of aggravated child abuse. Prosecutors agreed to drop lesser child neglect charges.

The teen weighed 49 pounds when child welfare workers found him in 2005 in what appeared to be a cage. Sullivan told a judge at the time that Ohio authorities told her to keep the boy, who had severe medical and emotional problems, in a crib.

"There's only one conclusion when you look at the medical evidence in this case, and that is that she literally starved him," prosecutor Julie Schlax said.

Two other children, 13-year-old twins the Sullivans adopted as infants, both testified they were kept in similar cages.

Sullivan's husband was also arrested, but died in January 2007 while awaiting trial.

Sullivan's lawyer, said he didn't think prison was the right option because she does not pose a threat to society. He said they would appeal the sentence.

Contact Beauchamp Law Office for a free consultation of your charge(s) by an experienced attorney at arizonacriminaldefenselawfirm.com

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Casa Grande woman charged with fraud and forgery

Chandler police broke up what they say appears to be a one person fraud, forgery and counterfeit enterprise after a Casa Grande woman tried to cash a forged check at a supermarket.

According to Chandler police, Shari Denise Ballard, 50, had five computers and templates for United States currency, counterfeit money, forged checks, check writing programs and evidence in the manufacturing of fake Arizona driver licenses in her home. Ballard was arrested and booked on 13 counts of fraud and forgery.

Sgt. Rick Griner, Chandler police spokesman, said there were test documents and some of the final products looked nearly authentic and could be passed if a clerk wasn’t paying attention.

Investigators will try to determine as many victims as possible.

So far, investigators believe Ballard worked alone because all the forged identification and checks were in her name.

Ballard tried to pass at Food City, 1005 N. Arizona Ave., but it was less than $200.

An employee at the store called police and patrol officers made a traffic stop and found evidence with Ballard that allowed detectives to draft a search warrant for her home.

If you have been charged with a criminal offense, contact the experienced and aggressive attorneys at Beauchamp Law Office for a free evaluation of your charges at http://www.arizonacriminaldefenselawfirm.com/

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May 23, 2008

Corrections officer and 5 family members arrested for trafficking meth

An Arizona Department of Corrections officer and five family members have been arrested for trafficking methamphetamine from Mexico for distribution in the U.S.

Noe Ruiz, 31, who worked at Lewis Prison in Buckeye for seven years, was arrested after a seven-month investigation that yielded 20 pounds of methamphetamine Tuesday night and another 35 pounds in other states including South Dakota and Ohio, said Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

Deputies estimated the 20 pounds of methamphetamine to have a street value of $2 million. Investigators also recovered weapons, 12 pounds of cocaine and $400,000 in cash in Arizona and other states. Deputies arrested Ruiz's father, Domingo Ruiz, 55, after pulling him over for failing to use a turn signal near 83rd Avenue and Indian School Road. They found four pounds of methamphetamine in a hidden compartment in the car and a weapon.

Deputies then searched five residences, including the younger Ruiz's, where they found money-counting machines, Arpaio said.

Arpaio said Domingo Ruiz was the leader of the operation and his five children were distributing the drug.

"It sound like the old mafia days," he said. "Except this crime family happens to be a real family."

Also arrested were the younger Ruiz's siblings: Maria Ruiz-Ochoa, 27; Humberto Ruiz, 29; Ruben Ruiz, 22; and Javier Serrano-Garcia, 19 .

If you have been charged with a drug related offense, contact an aggressive and experienced criminal defense attorney at Beauchamp Law Office at arizonacriminaldefenselawfirm.com

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May 17, 2008

Former NBA star Dennis Rodman charged with domestic violence

Prosecutors have charged former NBA star Dennis Rodman, 46, with domestic violence for allegedly hitting his girlfriend at a Los Angeles hotel on April 30.

Rodman was charged Wednesday with spousal battery, dissuading a witness and brandishing a deadly weapon, all misdemeanors according to Los Angeles City Attorney Nick Velasquez.

Rodman was arrested at a hotel April 30 after Gina Peterson called hotel security. Police say she suffered injuries to her arm.

Darren Prince, a spokesman for Rodman said he had too much to drink when he got into an altercation with Peterson. Prince says the couple is still dating.

"We look forward to a successful resolution of this misdemeanor matter," said Rodman's attorney, Paul Meyer.

Attempts to find a phone listing for Peterson were not successful.

Charged with domestic violence? Contact Beauchamp Law Office for a free consultation with an experienced criminal attorney at arizonacriminaldefenselawfirm.com

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May 16, 2008

Tax preparer arrested in refund scam

Stephan Doimas, 61 of Chandler was arrested Tuesday after allegedly using fraudulent schemes to obtain people’s tax returns. Chandler police say Doimas targeted people who were in need of financial help targeting mostly single females. Doimas fraudulently arranged for the tax returns to be wired to his own bank account and would then transfer the money to other accounts. Doimas is not a CPA but does have a tax preparer number and has been doing taxes for nine years.

Financial Crimes Unit arrested Doimas on suspicion of fraudulent schemes, theft, multiple counts of forgery, and threats. Chandler Police estimated that damages exceeded $12,000 but expect figures to rise as the investigation continues.

Doimas indicated during questioning that he completed tax returns for approximately 40 people and had their refunds wired into his bank account. Investigators confirmed the tax returns he did file for numerous people contained fraudulent information.

Police continue to try to locate potential victims. Detectives said they will be continuing to investigate to determine the total value of loss and number of victims as well as the seizure of some bank accounts, police said.

If you have been charged with a crime, contact Beauchamp Law Office at http://arizonacriminaldefenselawfirm.com/

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May 14, 2008