News & Media
“Operation Funnel Cake” Unfolds in Santa Cruz County
Nogales International, Feb. 18, 2022
In 2018, federal agents based in Nogales received information about potentially suspicious banking activity. Two individuals had received $136,000 in cash deposits over a short period of time, withdrew some of the funds, and wired the rest to Mexico…
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NY Judge in Avenatti Case Endorses DOJ Taint Teams Despite Mistrial in California
The Recorder, Sep. 10, 2021
U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman on Thursday rejected a bid by Michael Avenatti to halt DOJ review of a newly accessed iPad in his wire fraud case involving ex-client Stormy Daniels. Distinguishing the case from the recent mistrial in California…
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University of Arizona Won’t Say Why Dean Was Paid $1M During Suspension for Sex Assault Charge
Arizona Republic
The former dean of UA’s College of Pharmacy was on the payroll for less than four months last fiscal year, all of it while on administrative leave. But J. Lyle Bootman was still among the highest-paid public employees in the state, earning more than $1 million. His wages surpassed…
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$1M Payment to Former UA Pharmacy Dean Continues to Puzzle Lawmakers
Arizona Republic
The former dean and professor of UA’s College of Pharmacy earned more than $1 million last fiscal year despite losing administrative privileges, being designated as a part-time employee and banned from campus amid allegations of sexual assault…
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Last of Seven Home Invasion Defendants Sentenced
Nogales International, Jun. 01, 2018
The last of seven people charged in connection with a 2016 home invasion in Nogales was sentenced to prison – this time for a term of eight years. Juan Ricardo Chaparro, 31, was sentenced May 21 after pleading guilty to one count each…
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When Court Cases Deadlock, Mediators Step In
Nogales International, Nov. 20, 2017
While the six other defendants in a 2016 home invasion case all accepted plea agreements, most receiving prison sentences ranging from 5-10 years, Juan Ricardo Chaparro and his lawyer Clay Hernandez haven’t been able to find common ground with prosecutors…
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Brother of Man Killed in Tucson Home Invasion Sentenced
Daily Star, Feb. 17, 2015
The teen brother of a man who was killed while participating in a home invasion in the Three Points area was sentenced to 7 years in prison…
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The Brothers Arellanes
Tucson Weekly, April 21, 2011
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano’s border strategy is to push as much of the illicit traffic as possible out of towns and settled areas, and into the backcountry…
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Charges Dropped Against Former University of Arizona Dean in Sex-Assault Case
U.S. News & World Report, Oct. 4, 2017
Criminal charges have been dropped against a former University of Arizona dean accused of raping and beating an unconscious woman at his Foothills home two years ago…
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Attorney: Federal Agents Used Battering Ram, Assault Rifles in Arrest of Tucson Lawyer
Arizona Daily Star, Aug. 10, 2018
Federal agents used a battering ram to raid the office of a Tucson lawyer arrested Wednesday on suspicion of obstruction of justice, according to a motion filed Friday…
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Maricopa Prosecutor Takes Over Criminal Case Against ex-UA Dean
Arizona Daily Star, June 18, 2017
An out-of-town prosecutor has taken over the sex-crimes case against the University of Arizona’s former pharmacy dean…
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Tucson Man sentenced to Probation in Northwest-Side Brothel Operation
Arizona Daily Star, Jan. 23, 2018
A Tucson man arrested nearly two years ago on suspicion of money laundering and prostitution charges linked to a massage business on the northwest side was sentenced Tuesday to probation…
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Justice Reject ‘Implied Consent’
Arizona Daily Star, May 31, 2013
PHOENIX – Police cannot use state traffic laws to draw blood from suspected drunken drivers without a warrant, absent their specific permission at the time of the test, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled Thursday…
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9 Arrested in Connection with Tucson-Based Drug Trafficking Ring
Local and federal authorities arrested nine people last week, in connection with a Tucson-based drug trafficking ring that ran between Arizona, Nevada and Illinois, officials said…
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