Still hot!

I'm used to the heat for sure, but the humidity is what sucks!

This feels like Florida, yuck!

Big storm hitting Phoenix right now!

The winds are insane!

Lightning is everywhere and the dust is making visibility next to zero. Thunder here and there, but mostly high winds and lightning!

Very cool!

More people are buying second homes this summer

With home prices so low, a lot of people are buying second homes this summer.

Valley mortgage broker Dean Wegner said the most popular places to buy are vacation spots.

"You're going to see anywhere from 30 to 50 percent off the prices from, say, the highs of 2005," Wegner said. The most popular places to buy are vacation spots.

"The best deals you can buy right now are San Diego, Calif.; Miami, Fla.; Rio Rico, Arizona; and Big Bear, Calif. Those are probably the best four, I would say."

Prices are down as much as 50 percent in some areas, Wegner said, "and when it's 50 percent off, that's 50 percent off your monthly payment."

There are pros and cons to buying a second home.

Among the "pros": "The interest rates are identical to primary residences. There are tax deductions associated with second-home purchases. It's everybody's dream come true."

The "cons," Wegner said, include keeping up with utility payments and maintenance costs, and "You're going to be farther away, so if there's something that needs to be done, you're going to have to get to that house right away."

It's getting harder to qualify for a second home loan.

Wegner said you now have to have six months of payments for both your primary residence and your second home to qualify.

Banks are making the changes because recent studies show people are more willing to give up their second homes than the homes they live in, Wegner said.

Foreclosure filings across the nation grew by more than 50 percent in July

Foreclosure filings across the nation grew by more than 50 percent in July, compared with the same month a year ago, according to data released Thursday, August 14th, 2008.

Arizona ranked fourth among the states in foreclosures, the RealtyTrac report said.

Nationwide, more than 272,000 homes received at least one foreclosure-related notice in July, up 55 percent from about 175,000 in the same month last year and up 8 percent from June. One in every 464 U.S. households received a foreclosure filing last month.

One West Valley woman finds herself too close to the story.

Rosa Garcia, a single mother of two, was looking for a life away from the hustle and bustle of Phoenix when she fell in love with a brand new home in Buckeye two years ago.

It was easy to buy.

"I was like, "Oh, a piece of cake. I'm in a bigger home and I'm in a better place. For the price I was paying, it was awesome."

Two years later, she's still fond of the neighborhood, but said she must leave.

"Everybody in our community kind of knows each other. My kids have built a lot of friends there. They're sad, they don't want to move, they don't want to lose the house."

Garcia's payments have gone from $1,200 a month to more than $1,700 and now she can't make ends meet.

She admits she had no clue about the fine details of adjustable rate financing when she got her mortgage. She urges other people not to make the same mistake -- to make sure they know the consequences of what they're signing.

"And try to buy something that you need, not something that you want. Houses are beautiful nowadays, they look so beautiful and everything, but sometimes beautiful becomes very expensive."

Garcia said, "I can't take my kids out anymore because I'm on a strict budget. There's no fun times. I don't feel free. I can't be going out with my friends because of the money issue."

Garcia said she may be forced to leave her home this fall.

"I have to come to realize that, right now, the house is not work what I am paying and it's a big sacrifice. It makes me feel like I work just to pay for the house."

Although this is a sad story and one of many, people must know how to budget and make ends meet in good times as well as bad. I'll be the first to say that yes, many loan companies are to blame for this horrible housing market, however, it all goes back to the age old saying of "if something looks to good to be true, then it probably is". It doesn't make sense that someone can get into a $250k home when they could barely make their apartment rent of $700 a month.

I don't see this market turning around until a few more years. There is still a lot of great deals to be had, but for every awesome deal, there will be with that a sad story like the one above. Please read your contracts and make sure you completely understand them!

Major statewide DUI task force begins Friday the 15th of August

Hundreds of police officers throughout Arizona will be targeting drunk drivers and boaters, beginning Friday and lasting through Labor Day.

Jack Lane with DPS said anyone can help out. "If you see an impaired driver, call 911. Let us know," he said.

According to authorities, 40 percent of Arizona traffic and boating deaths involve alcohol.

"We're gonna be out there," Lane said. "We've got several DUI sobriety checkpoints that will be out there. Obviously our task forces and mobile patrols are gonna be there."

He urged people to use designated drivers. "Bottom line is: use the designated drivers," he said. "Please use the designated drivers. We have to stop the killings on the roads."

Lets all hope this makes a few more people stay home after drinking to much or call a cab etc.!

14,000 Tucson power customers still without service after powerful overnight storm.

Tucson Electric Power crews were working to restore power to some 14,000 customers still without service Thursday afternoon in the wake of a powerful overnight storm.

Power was restored by morning to 21,000 customers also hit by the storm-caused outages.

Tucson Electric Co. spokesman Joe Salkowski says the power loss centered on two problem transformers in the same substation. Each affected some 6,000 customers.

About 12,500 customers remained out of service mostly on the city's north and northeast sides, but sporadic outages continued for about 1,500 others because of 26 downed utility poles and smaller damaged transformers.

The National Weather Service says as much as 2.2 inches of rain fell overnight.

Raper DMX was arrested today!

Raper DMX was arrested on Thursday, August 14th according to the Maricopa County Sherriff's Office.

DMX attorney Murry Richman, apparently doing pro bono work for the hip-hop star, said reports that an arrest warrant was issued for his client are wrong.

"There was no warrant issued," he said.

Earlier this week, it was widely reported a judge issued a warrant because DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons, didn't appear for a pretrial conference on four counts of possessing drug paraphernalia and one count of possession of marijuana.

The case is one of several Simmons is facing in Phoenix, including several animal cruelty and drug possession counts.

According to Richman, DMX is also using a public defender because he is short on money.

"His home is in foreclosure and he is without funds," he said.

Jose Tapia Varelas gets ten years for cultivating marijuana in forest

A Mexican man will spend a decade behind bars in connection with a huge marijuana growing operation in the Tonto National Forest.

Jose Tapia Varelas pleaded guilty last April to the charge of conspiracy to cultivate more than 1,000 marijuana plants on National Forest lands. Investigators found two marijuana cultivation areas near Gold Creek Canyon and Hinton Canyon in the Tonto National Forest in Gila County.

Varelas delivered food and supplies to workers who stayed in the remote grow sites for months at a time.

Law enforcement officers eradicated over 7,000 marijuana plants from the two cultivation areas. Varelas' sentence was enhanced because he possessed a firearm in connection with the cultivation conspiracy.

Sheriff Joe Arpaio's deputies perform human smuggler search in West Valley

Sheriff Joe Arpaio's deputies performed a human smuggler search in the West Valley Wednesday, August 13th, which netted 22 arrests.

According to the Maricopa County Sheriff's office, 100 deputies and posse members hit "well known smuggling routes" to arrest law violators, including immigration law breakers.

The Sheriff's office says that they have received more than $36,000 in private donations to support the sheriff's sweeps.

The sheriff's department has also done crime sweeps in Phoenix and Guadalupe.

To-date the sweeps have netted 95 arrests under the human smuggling law.

Ernesto Castruita-Rodriguez, aka Leo Mungia Rodriguez charged in '07 murder near I-17 and Bumble Bee Road

On August 11, 2008, detectives from the Eastern Criminal Investigations Section of the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office, charged 27-year-old Ernesto Castruita-Rodriguez, aka Leo Mungia Rodriguez, with the murder of 24-year-old Arnulfo Medevil-Portillo. Rodriguez is currently in the custody of the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) on unrelated charges.

On July 31, 2007, a body, later identified as Portillo, was discovered by a man visiting the area off of Bumble Road, west of the I17. Portillo had been shot several times and was obviously deceased. Portillo was an undocumented Mexican National who resided in the Phoenix area. After an intensive investigation that spanned several months, detectives located suspect Rodriguez and he has since admitted involvement in the homicide. Although the investigation remains active, detectives believe drugs may have been a factor in Portillo's murder.

Rodriguez has been charged with Murder in the 2nd Degree which will result in an arrest warrant and the eventual transfer of custody to YCSO from MCSO.

Citizens can contact the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office with information or questions at (928) 771-3260 or the YCSO website: www.ycsoaz.gov

Homicide victim discovered by an ATV near I17

A homicide victim discovered by an ATV rider has been identified.

The body of Matthew R. Hrabina, 33, a resident of Black Canyon City, was found Tuesday near Bumble Bee Road, about three miles off of Interstate 17. According to the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office he suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was likely killed in the location where his body was discovered.

YCSO received a phone call from the ATV rider Monday afternoon before leading deputies to the body, which was in the Big Bug Creek bed.

Sheriff’s deputies are continuing to investigate the case and have not identified a motive at this time.

Detectives are asking anyone who might have seen a 2000 white Chevy Avalanche that was registered to Hrabina in the area between Sunday and Monday afternoon to contact the sheriff’s department.

If you have any information on this case you are asked to call Silent Witness at (800) 932-3232.

first conjoined twins born at Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix

A Kingman woman is the mother of the first conjoined twins born at Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix.

The twins were delivered via Caesarean section Wednesday, which was about eight weeks early. They weighed at 8 pounds 10 ounces together.

Doctors said that all things considered, the babies are relatively healthy.

The infants are joined from the middle of their chests to the bottom of their torsos. Because of that, their genders have not been determined.

A team from Phoenix Children's Hospital is taking over care of the newborns.

It's expected that that babies will be separated at some point in the next year when they're stronger and better able to handle the complex procedure.

Adult diapers filled with human waste being dumped in Arizona neighborhood

The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office is attempting to locate the person responsible for routinely dumping bags of used adult diapers in the Lake Montezuma area. According to area residents, this activity has been going on for at least a year.

In many instances, the bags of diapers are dumped adjacent to the Beaver Creek Golf Course area on Montezuma Avenue and occasionally near freeway entrance and exit ramps to the I17 off of Beaver Creek Road (see attached photos submitted by concerned residents).

The diapers are usually contained in white plastic trash bags and dumped on the roadside without any apparent effort to place them in the proper trash container. The act of leaving these bags on public roadways constitutes Criminal Littering along with the obvious health hazard resulting from exposed human waste. Although not confirmed, it is likely the bags are being thrown from a moving vehicle. As a result, YCSO is encouraging area residents to be on the lookout and note descriptions and license plate information for any vehicle seen connected with the dumping.

If you have any information regarding the suspects responsible for this unlawful activity, please contact the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office at 928-771-3260, or you may report information anonymously to Yavapai Silent Witness at 800-932-3232.

Maybe they should do some DNA testing and find out who the diapers came from. I'm sure it's someone who works at a nursing home of some sort who is throwing then there. Who knows???

Arizona's largest prostitution bust involves homes in Avondale

The huge bust of a Valley-wide prostitution ring included search warrants for two homes in the Garden Lakes development in northern Avondale.

Phoenix police conducted raids on homes across the Valley, serving warrants on 10 residences on Monday and Tuesday . Police said they have made 29 arrests so far related to the ring.

The two homes in Avondale are located at:
10767 W. Citrus Grove Way
11123 W. Dana Lane near Indian School Road and 107th Avenue.

The house on Dana Lane is where police believe online pornography videos were made and is within a quarter mile of Garden Lakes Elementary School and Westview High School.

Adam Beech, 25, who was arrested Aug. 4, is facing charges against him that include: 1 felony count of conspiracy; 1 felony count of illegal control of enterprise; 1 felony count of money laundering; 1 felony count of receive earnings of prostitute; 1 felony count of maintain house of prostitution; 3 felony counts of induce to prostitute.

Adam Beech, 25, who is the current owner of the home on 10767 W. Citrus Grove Way in Avondale, according to the county recorders office, is said to have been renting out the 11123 W. Dana Lane home. There has been no word on wether or not the owners of the 11123 W. Dana Lane home in Avondale are involved at this time.

A neighbor of one of the homes who wished to remain anonymous said she had reported suspicious activity there to police in February of this year.

Another neighbor, Don Montague, 85, who lives across the street, said he had never seen anything abnormal at the house.

"My understanding was the next door neighbor had some idea about it, but no one ever talked about it besides that. I certainly never saw anything until the police showed up," Montague said.

At least 100 people, mostly prostitutes, worked in the Phoenix-based operation that set up dates through a number of escort Web sites, police said. The investigation has connections to Philadelphia and Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Phoenix police handled the investigation. Avondale police confirmed they were not involved.

More arrested in three-state prostitution ring

Dr. Ross Levatter, a well-known radiology specialist is another key player in the prostitution ring. Dr. Ross Levatter is on the hospital board of directors at a Valley hospital.

More Arrests in Online Prostitution Ring here in Arizona

Phoenix police have arrested six more people suspected of being involved in a three-state prostitution ring.

Authorities said Sean Carter, 39, was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of offenses including money laundering, running a house of prostitution, receiving the earnings of a prostitute, pandering and use of wire or electronic communication in prostitution.

Five women also were taken into custody, all who allegedly worked as escorts for the ring which authorities said spanned Arizona, New Mexico and Pennsylvania.

Michelle Lea Evans, 23, Delain Hunt, 41, Ivie Johnson, 22, Tiffany Nelson, 20, and Tanya Powers, 27 were arrested on suspicion of money laundering and illegal participation of an enterprise were

The Maricopa County Attorney's Office said 55 people were indicted in July on 17 felony counts in connection to the prostitution ring that pulled in an estimated $250,000 per month.

Twenty-nine people have been arrested this week in connection with the case, police said. More than 100 people worked for the organization, police allege. Most were prostitutes, but many also managed the operation.

The Maricopa County Attorney's Office said Paradise Valley resident Paul Nichta allegedly led a criminal enterprise that made bank deposits of $250,000 a month.

Police said they seized three homes, a variety of guns and eight vehicles, including a Ferrari and Lotus.

Valley mom, Eboni Perri of Phoenix Arizona given lifetime probation for starving her 2-year-old daughter to death!

A Valley mom has been sentenced to lifetime probation for starving her 2-year-old daughter.

Eboni Perri, who lives in west Phoenix, was sentenced Tuesday under a plea agreement. She pleaded guilty to a reduced charge after she admitted starving her child in 2005.

The state's Child Protective Services Division said it went to Perri's home five times after receiving complaints that the girl was being neglected, but that it never removed the child from the mother's care.

State Attorney General Terry Goddard said Wednesday that CPS has made considerable progress in the past three years.

"Some day we hope that we will never have these tragic stories," Goddard said. "But unfortunately some kids are put in some very, very tragic situations because of misactions by parents."

Goddard said he continues to work with CPS to improve the investigative actions to prevent future tragedies.

"It's unfortunate that we've had some terrible incidents," he said. "We're doing everything possible with CPS to try to improve the investigative actions so that they can make sure those tragedies don't happen in the future."
Perri's daughter, who was disabled, weighed only 14 pounds at the time of her death!

What a sad and cruel situation. I can not understand how this person did not end up in prison. Sad, very sad!

Woman, 21 of Mesa Arizona, dies after being run over by father

Mesa police said a 21-year-old woman run over by her father Tuesday night near Southern Avenue and Lindsay Road has died.

Authorities said Ronald Mortensen backed up his truck to help with a brush fire at a nearby home and didn't know his daughter had stepped out into the street to get a better look.

He drove over her and trapped her underneath, according to police.

They said Mortensen was not impaired and no criminal charges are pending.

Father of 5 killed by falling tree moments after photo

A bizarre and heart-breaking tragedy hit one Black Canyon City family over the weekend.

Craig and Michelle Looney, their four young daughters and a young nephew were up in Oak Creek Canyon enjoying some cooler temperatures Saturday afternoon when Craig paused for a moment to pose for a photo. Seconds later a tree fell on him and left him fatally injured in the water. His family is still in shock.

Michelle Looney talked about her husband and the father of her children, Craig Looney, 47, a hard-working plumber and devoted family man, was killed in a freak accident Saturday afternoon.

Rescue crews say that upon arrival they found that a rather large tree had come down and struck someone who was in the canyon. A doctor who was in the canyon at the time was able to briefly revive Craig, but by the time the ambulance arrived to transport him to a Flagstaff hospital, the father of four was dead.

Michelle is left with her four young daughters and a fifth on the way and is facing an uncertain future due to a bizarre twist of fate.

Craig was posing for a picture on a family outing in Northern Arizona when a tree snapped and fell right on top of him. At one time or another just about every family has gone to some picturesque place to take some family photos. On this occasion, quite suddenly, the family’s world came crashing down on them in the form of a tree falling in the woods.

To donate to Crag Looney's family, the Arizona father killed by a tree, you can make a deposit at any Chase Bank and Bank of the West location in Black Canyon City.

Animal shelter pets have water again after copper theft at MCACC

Homeless pets are the latest victims of copper theft after somebody ripped out the water pipes at the Maricopa Animal Care and Control facility. Such thefts have been a problem all over the Valley.

About 400 animals at the MCACC shelter at 27th Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road were without water for a time Wednesday morning.

It's not known what time the theft happened, but with the pipes gone, there was no way to get water into the facility, so staff members were unable go about their morning routines.

That means, among other things, that they had no way to clean the kennels. What's more they couldn't give the cats and dogs fresh water, which is essential, especially on a hot summer day. In addition, air conditioning, which requires water to run, was down.

Aprille Hollis of MCACC said the county sprang into action to repair the pipes and get the water flowing again. "Thank goodness for our Facilities Department because they were out here and got it up and running within 40 minutes," she said. "We were ready to call in a water truck."

It's not clear how the thieves got the piping because most of the pipes at the facility are caged. It is possible that the thieves were caught on security cameras.

"We may never know what happened," Hollis said. "It just sad because -- not only somebody stole something, sure -- but even more important, lives were potentially put at risk, which is very scary for us."

Suspected "Wig Bandits" arrested in Avondale after heist

A multi-agency manhunt for a group of bank robbery suspects known as the Wig Bandits came to an end on the streets of Avondale Tuesday afternoon.

Police in Avondale were summoned to a Bank of America near 115th Avenue and Buckeye Road about 3 p.m. Inside the branch, four armed men were committing a robbery.

The four suspects, joined by two women, were arrested more than a mile away by responding officers.Investigators from three local police departments and the FBI claim members of this group took part in at least 15 bank robberies. Prior robberies attributed to the group happened in three Arizona cities: Phoenix, Glendale and Scottsdale. In some cases, they wore women’s wigs while committing their crimes.

Detectives have refused to allow the release of the suspect’s names or their pictures. The arrests were followed by the service of several search warrants.

Large Tyson chicken recall includes Arizona food service suppliers

Tyson Foods Inc. has voluntarily recalled 51,360 pounds of uncooked chicken in 29 states, including Arizona, due to a soy-based allergen. There have been no reported illnesses associated with the product, and the company says the recall is a precautionary measure.

The affected products were sold to food service companies, which typically supply restaurants, rather than retailers. The companies were asked to recover and hold the products for collection by the Arkansas-based supplier.

Tyson has been reducing the number of allergens in its food service products and produced some products with its old formulation while prematurely using a new label, the company said Thursday. The products were produced at the company's Vicksburg, Miss., location between July 23 Aug. 5.

A consumer hotline has been set up at 800-233-6332.

Very scary stuff people! What is with the poor quality control of late? It's getting to be a constant problem with the food we eat!

Arizona announces $6M settlement with Honeywell

Arizona: Honeywell to pay $6M to settle environmental suit over alleged violations in Phoenix.

It was announced Thursday that Honeywell International has agreed to pay the state of Arizona $5 million to settle an environmental lawsuit.

Attorney General Terry Goddard says the civil penalty is for hazardous waste and environmental cleanup violations at a Honeywell facility near Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix.

Goddard says Honeywell also will pay another $1 million for a supplemental environmental project.

The settlement stems from a lawsuit filed by the state against Honeywell in July 2004 alleging a number of environmental violations spanning more than 30 years.

The lawsuit alleged that between 1974 and 2004 Honeywell violated numerous environmental laws, including the Arizona Water Quality Control Act, Arizona Hazardous Waste Disposal Act and Arizona Underground Storage Tank Act.

9 illegal immigrants dead, 10 illegal immigrants injured in single-vehicle rollover

9 illegal immigrants were killed and 10 more illegal immigrants were hurt in a single-vehicle rollover on the highway outside of Florence.

It happened Thursday morning on State Route 79 north of Tom Mix Monument, which is about 17 miles south of Florence. The first call came in about 8:30 a.m.

According to DPS, a 1998 GMC SUV carrying a total of 19 illegal immigrants rolled over on the right side of the road at about milepost 117, 15 miles south of Florence.

DPS said the SUV was traveling north on SR 79 at a high rate of speed when the driver lost control. The vehicle went off the road and into a wash. The SUV flipped, coming to rest on its roof.

Nine illegal immigrants were confirmed dead on the scene. The medical examiner is en route. The 10 injured illegal immigrants were flown to Tucson Medical Center, as well as Good Samaritan Hospital and Maricopa County Medical Center in Phoenix. Most of the passengers had to be extricated from the vehicle.

DPS confirmed that the occupants of the SUV were illegal immigrants. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are on the scene, working with DPS. It's not known at this point if any coyotes were among the dead.

While the SUV was apparently going quite fast, it was not being chased at the time of the wreck. The highway is open in both directions, but travel is limited.

UPDATE: Additional arrests have been made in the prostitution bust

UPDATE: Additional arrests have been made in the case.

Another key player in the organization was taken in custody Wednesday night.

Charges against Sean Carter, 39, could include conspiracy to control an illegal enterprise; illegal control of an enterprise; first degree money laundering; operating a house of prostitution; employee at a house of prostitution; pandering; receiving the earnings of a prostitute; use of a wire or electronic communication; prostitution.

Five other escorts were taken into custody. Their charges include illegal participation of an enterprise, second degree money laundering and employee at a house of prostitution.

More Information on the largest prostitution organization uncovered in Arizona

A three-state effort has resulted in the largest prostitution organization uncovered in Arizona, according to investigators.

The Phoenix Police Department made the first arrests Monday in the investigation of the nationwide prostitution ring with links to the Valley.

On July 24th, a Maricopa County grand jury handed up a 17-count indictment naming 55 defendants. On August 4th and 5th, police began making the series of arrests.

Officers said they first received a tip of a prostitution business in August 2007 and discovered an organization, run by Paul Nichta, called "Night Entertainment Partners."

Police said another key player in the prostitution ring was Dr. Ross Levatter, a well-known radiology specialist. Levatter is on the hospital board of directors at a Valley hospital.

Nichta allegedly made bank deposits of $250,000 a month using a series of escort service businesses as a front for prostitution. Those businesses included:

- Desert Divas LLC
- Night Partners Entertainment
- NPE Management Services
- Hips Touring LLC
- Escorts in Action
- AZ Confidential
- Desert Divas New Mexico

According to Phoenix police, most of the companies were registered with the City of Phoenix or the Arizona Corporation Commission. The operation also included a pornographic website which showed "Escort Reviews."

Officers said Nichta would hold "meet and greets" at Valley restaurants every week so that prospective customers could meet the escorts in person.

Nichta recruited the escorts through ads in the New Times and websites promising escorts incomes of up to $30,000 a month, according to officials.

Two former escorts told police they made about $2,000 a night but could also earn an additional $15,000 a night in tips. More than 100 people, mostly prostitutes, were believed to be involved in the ring.

The organization filmed pornographic acts with the prostitutes, according to the investigators, and made them available for viewing through the Internet to hundreds of customers, or "johns", who ordered the service through their various websites.

The investigation had connections to Philadelphia and Albuquerque, however the majority of the organization's activities were conducted in the Valley. Philadelphia detectives arrested one suspect in this case.

Albuquerque detectives conducted a search warrant on the organization's office, "Desert Divas New Mexico", in Albuquerque Sunday and arrested numerous suspects, including 41-year-old James Bays.

In nine search warrants conducted throughout the Valley Monday, authorities said three residences were seized, at least eight vehicles and one motorcycle were taken, and financial seizures were made.

Six rifles, 12 handguns, and two silencers were taken from Nichta's Paradise Valley residence. Some of the prostitutes were also arrested and more arrests were expected in the weeks to come. Officials said there are 'big names' linked to the ring, but those names have not yet been released.

Nine of the top members of the organization have already been arrested and face charges of 'conspiracy to control an illegal enterprise', 'illegal control of an enterprise', 'money laundering', 'operating a house of prostitution', 'employee at a house of prostitution', 'pandering, receiving the earnings of a prostitute', 'use of a wire or electronic communication', and 'prostitution'.

Key suspects arrested include:

Paul Nichta, 32; Dr. Ross Levatter, 53; Scott Eder, 35; Peter Shifman, 56; Billi Mayfield, 19; Adam Beech, 25; Charles Sanders, 29; Louis Sterling, 55; William Ferretti, 65; and Chloe Magouliotis, 23.

The following residences were included in Monday's seizures:

6839 E. Sunnyvale, Paradise Valley
4043 E. Woodstock Road, Cave Creek
3003 E. Camellia Drive, Gilbert

The following vehicles were among those seized in Monday:

2007 Ferrari 43C CP
2006 Lotus EXI CP
2008 Mercedes SL55 RD
2007 Chevy Tahoe 4DSW
2004 Chevy Avalanche 12 PU
2008 BMW
2005 Hummer SUT
2007 Triumph motorcycle

The Phoenix Police Department said they worked with the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, the Scottsdale Police Department, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, the Mesa Police Department, the Philadelphia Police Department's Vice Unit, and the Albuquerque Police Department's Vice unit during this investigation.

When addressing the investigation on Tuesday, County Attorney Andrew Thomas said, "Our office will work to protect the citizens and neighborhoods of this county from criminal exploitation. We appreciate the excellent work of the Phoenix police detectives who investigated these offenses."

Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon said, "These are not victimless crimes. On the most basic level, those involved in prostitution, and the family members who love them, are neglected or worse. And the money generated from these illegal ventures helps fund other criminal enterprises such as drug and smuggling operations. This is a good use of resources and I thank the County Attorney and the Phoenix Police Department for working together to make this a better community."

Phoenix Police Chief Jack Harris said, "I would like to commend the men and women of the Vice Enforcement Unit of the Phoenix Police Department, as well as the other agencies that have assisted us, for the many hours they have spent and will spend during the course of this investigation."

Harris continued, "This investigation successfully targeted a large scale, sophisticated organization dealing in prostitution and pornography, which are often referred to as "victimless crimes". However, our experience has shown us that these crimes have far reaching consequences on our community. That is why the Phoenix Police Department is committed to fighting these types of crimes."

Jermaine Canada arrested and charged with first-degree murder in Arizona

8/4/2008 - Jermaine Canada, 27, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. He's accused of walking into a Phoenix 7-Eleven, holding a 2-year-old child, and shooting and killing a store clerk. A 6-year-old child accompanying Canada also witnessed the shooting.

More on the Valley doctor arrested in prostitution bust

Phoenix police arrested 23 people involved in an alleged prostitution ring Monday after a year-long investigation, authorities said. It was the largest prostitution bust in the history of the state.

Investigators said among those arrested was Valley physician Ross Levatter. Authorities said he was not only a customer, but he had a say in the hiring and firing of the prostitutes.

Paul Nichta, 32, ran Night Entertainment Partners, an umbrella organization that provided prostitutes through Web sites such as Desert Divas, AZ Confidential, Hips Tours and Escorts in Action, police said.

According to investigators, the organization involved more than 100 people - mostly prostitutes, but with many in management roles. The organization served hundreds of customers and filmed pornographic acts with the prostitutes that were available online, police said.

Clients ordered services through the various Web sites, investigators said. Nichta also held weekly "meet and greets" at Valley restaurants so that prospective customers could meet the escorts in person, according to authorities.

The escorts were allegedly recruited through ads in the ‘New Times' and Web sites promising incomes of up to $30,000 dollars per month. Two former escorts told police they made approximately $2,000 per night, but could also earn an additional $15,000 dollars a night in tips.

On Monday, Valley police and deputies served nine search warrants and arrested some of the top members of the organization, authorities said.

"Because of the amount of money that was involved, we have seized several high-end cars, Lamborghinis, Mercedes, we have about 4 or 5 more cars to go through. We've got bank accounts that have been frozen, houses that have been seized," said Phoenix Police lieutenant Bill Schemers.

The 23 people arrested were Nichta; Levatter; Scott Eder, 35; Peter Shifman, 56; Billi Mayfield, 19; Adam Beech, 25; Charles Sanders, 29; Louis Sterling, 55; William Ferretti, 65; Chloe Magouliotis, 23; Luna Kursta, 24; Allison Brown, 20; Leslie Burton 28; Amy Pickens, 37; Sandra Molini, 27; Sara Scott, 21; Tiffany Haltom, 24; Kari Fager, 21; Brie George, 31; Sara Broadhead, 31; Amber Butler 23; Michelle Sakuei, 28; and Heidi Schreider-Rendon, 29.

Another 50 people were indicted.

"It's a very extensive case," said Phoenix Police Chief Jack Harris. "It's going to be going on and will probably be in the news for quite some time, but we want to thank everyone that has been a part of that partnership and putting this together."

According to authorities, Nichta's criminal enterprise dropped a quarter of a million dollars in the bank per month. His charges include money laundering and pandering.

Officers also confiscated six rifles, 12 handguns and two silencers at Nichta's Paradise Valley residence, police said.

Some women have also been arrested on prostitution charges, investigators said, and they expect arrests to continue in the weeks ahead.

‘We're going to go through those ledgers, we'll go through the computer information that they have, they'll make a determination whether things are substantiated or not and that's gonna take some time," said Phoenix Police Department spokesman Andy Hill.

Phoenix recycle trash can filled with pot found in front of vacant house

Phoenix Police say they were called to a vacant southwest home Monday night by observant neighbors who reported seeing suspicious activity.

When officers arrived the suspects had fled, leaving a blue city recycling can in the front of the home. Sitting right on the curb, that bin was filled with bales of pot.

Officers searched for the suspects, but no arrests were made.

The house is located near 42nd Lane and Maldonado just north of Baseline Road.

Police said the investigation would be turned over to the Drug Enforcement Bureau.

Family cat cut in half in Tucson, Arizona

Sylvester the cat met a sad and violent end.

"Half of him was over here and the rest of him was gone," says Andre, the child who found his 1 year old pet cut in half.

"I showed my dad and then I showed my brother and my mom was crying."

Someone had sliced Sylvester in half, just behind his front legs.

"Where the other half of him went, we have no idea."

The Johnston's are convinced this wasn't done by another animal. They say there was no fur around, or any signs of anything struggle.

The front half of the cat was undamaged, it was like he was just sitting there sleeping.

The sheriff's department is investigating Sylvester's death. A deputy told the family it's likely the cat was killed in another location and then brought back near to the family's home.

"We just have no idea why anyone would do that."

A cross now marks the spot where Sylvester rests. The children even did their homework with the cat, saying he would try and get the pen while they were writing.

"I just know that he was really funny and I liked him."

This strange story certainly brings back memories of the Puppy found cut in half and the goat found cut in half. Nobody has said if they may be connected.

Terrence Kasses Washington AMW profile link

Terrence Kasses Washington AMW profile link

One of America's Most Wanted caught in Arizona - Terrence Kasses Washington

On Wednesday, July 30, 2008, Detectives with the Arizona Vehicle Theft Task Force (VTTF) arrested Terrence Kasses Washington, age 33 (actual DOB 11-23-1974), who was wanted on multiple federal warrants and various felony charges from other states.

On Wednesday morning, VTTF Detectives were conducting an investigation reference a stolen vehicle, a 1977 GMC half-ton pick-up, located at a motel at 8399 West Lynwood, Phoenix, Arizona. Detectives found numerous items in the stolen vehicle and the motel room rented by the suspect that were identified as being property that was stolen from multiple burglaries committed in the West Valley and also in various cities in the states of New Mexico and Texas. The suspect, at the time he was arrested at the motel, was using an alias of Damien Richardson with a DOB of 11-24-1973.

During the weekend after the arrest of the suspect, VTTF Detectives received additional information that the name being used was an alias among many aliases that have been used by the suspect. They were able to determine through information received from the State of Maryland authorities that the correct name for the suspect is Terrence Kasses Washington, DOB 11-24-1973 and he is a wanted fugitive.

The GMC pick-up that the VTTF Detectives had seized outside of the motel was obtained in a rural area of New Mexico around June 6 of this year, according to the New Mexico State Police. The New Mexico authorities pursued the suspect in a different stolen vehicle and unfortunately he was able to elude the state police after a long pursuit.

Terrence Washington has led a crime spree spanning over 10 years involving two armed bank robberies, attempted murder of a police officer, escape from custody from three different state detention facilities and fleeing from law enforcement. This crime spree occurred in Tennessee, Missouri, Ohio, Maryland, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico and now Arizona. The suspect has been featured at least three times on the television program “America’s Most Wanted.”
Related News

Terrence Washington is currently being held at the Maricopa County Fourth Avenue Jail on the following charges: Multiple Federal Warrants, State of Maryland Hold for Felony Crimes, Vehicle Theft, Multiple Counts of Burglaries from Vehicles, and Possession of Stolen Property.

The Detectives are currently trying to locate the victims for the 30 to 40 stolen property items that have been seized.

Only One Illegal Signs Up for Voluntary Leave Program

According to Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the one immigrant who signed up for the Phoenix program was from Estonia.

Federal authorities in Arizona have launched a pilot program aimed at encouraging illegal immigrants who haven't followed deportation orders to arrange their departure from the country.

So far, only one illegal immigrant from Estonia has signed up for the program in Phoenix, according to Eduardo Preciado of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

"We're pretty optimistic that things will pick up," said Preciado.

It offers immigrants who don't have criminal records or pose risks to communities up to 90 days to get their affairs in order without being put in a detention center.

The three-week program also began Tuesday in four other cities. It is aimed at clearing up a backlog of deportation cases and is a response to complaints that Immigration and Customs Enforcement disrupts families when removing immigrants from the country.

More info can be found on Immigration and Customs Enforcement's web site: http://www.ice.gov

Phoenix prostitution ring - Mugshots of escorts part 3 of 3

Phoenix prostitution ring - Mugshots of escorts part 2 of 3

Phoenix prostitution ring - Mugshots of escorts part 1 of 3

Large prostitution ring busted in Phoenix finds women, cars and guns

"Desert Divas", "Escorts in Action" and "AZ Confidential" are just a few of the titles police say were used to lure men into a Valley prostitution ring.

Detectives raided properties across the Valley, including one lavish home in Paradise Valley. At that home they found enough information to book at least 19 people into the Fourth Avenue Jail for their alleged involvement in what Phoenix police describe as the biggest prostitution investigation in Arizona history.

Lt. Schemers said it may take months to contact every name in the ledger that was discovered. County Attorney Andrew Thomas said if warranted, every john will be prosecuted.

This prostitution ring was allegedly operated in New Mexico and for a brief time in Pennsylvania. Detectives describe this as an upscale operation catering to mostly out of town visitors.

Late this afternoon police arrested Dr. Ross Levatar at the East Valley Hospital where he worked. Dr. Levatar is reportedly a client and helped run operations.

The following is a release from the Phoenix Police Department:

In August, 2007, the Phoenix Police Department received information of an organization involved in prostitution. It was soon determined that the umbrella organization run by Paul Nichta, called “Night Entertainment Partners”, was providing prostitutes through numerous web sites with titles such as “Desert Divas”, “AZ Confidential”, “Hips Tours”, and “Escorts in Action”.

This organization contains over 100 people, mostly prostitutes, but many in management roles. This organization served hundreds of customers, or “johns”. The organization filmed pornographic acts with the prostitutes which were available for viewing through the internet. Clients ordered service through their various internet web sites.

The investigation has connections to Philadelphia and Albuquerque, New Mexico. Philadelphia Police Department Vice detectives arrested one suspect in this case. Albuquerque Police Department Vice Unit detectives conducted a search warrant on the organization’s office (“Desert Divas New Mexico”) in Albuquerque yesterday, arresting several suspects. However, the vast majority of the organization’s activities were conducted right here in the valley.

The Phoenix Police Department worked this investigation in conjunction with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office. We were assisted by the Scottsdale Police Department, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, the Mesa Police Department, the Philadelphia Police Department’s Vice Unit, and the Albuquerque Police Department’s Vice unit.

The first arrest phase of the investigation began yesterday and is continuing today. Nine search warrants were conducted throughout the valley. Nine of the top members of the organization were arrested and are listed below. Three residences were seized. A least eight vehicles and one motorcycle were seized. Financial seizures were made. 6 rifles, 12 handguns, and 2 silencers were seized at Mr. Nichta’s Paradise Valley residence. Some of the prostitutes have also been arrested. More arrests are expected throughout the day today and in the weeks ahead.

The Phoenix Police Department will continue the investigation into this organization. Any future identified suspects will be submitted by Phoenix Police Department investigator to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office on all suspects, whether they are involved as organizers, prostitutes, or customers. No identified suspects will be exempt from investigation in this case.

Five in custody in early morning Arizona home invasions

Five suspects are in custody after a pair of home invasions that took place early this morning. One suspect stabbed was stabbed.

It happened shortly after 3:30 a.m. in the neighborhood of 15th Avenue and Alta Vista, which is just south of Southern Avenue.

The investigation revealed the suspects knocked on the homeowner's door and after the door opened the suspects displayed their weapons and began making demands. A fight then broke out between the homeowner and the suspects.

According to Lt. Greg Berghorst of the Phoenix Police Department, officers on the scene recovered a variety of weapons, including two semi-automatic handguns and a shotgun. Police said that in trying to elude officers, the suspects broke into a third home.

There were seven people, including small children inside the first home that was broken into. Police, who were initally responding to a check welfare call, arrested a man and a woman there. Three other suspects, all of whom were armed, ran out the back door and got away, Berghorst said.

Officers set up a perimeter and called for backup. Air units and K9 units responded and those three were caught.

While one of the suspects was stabbed -- it's not clear how he was wounded -- none of the families who live in the homes were hurt.

Police do not know what the suspects were after when they broke into the first two houses. Investigators are trying to determine if the suspects are involved in any other criminal activity.

A sign of the times? Maybe...but I say everyone should have some form of protection in their homes! With the economy so terrible, I feel we shall see more of this type of crime. Sadly, the police are always under staffed and have so much to deal with.