Jason John Keller, charged with one count of conspiracy, three counts of promoting prison contraband and three counts of assisting a criminal street g

A Tempe attorney was accused Wednesday of smuggling heroin and other items to inmates at Maricopa County's Fourth Avenue Jail in downtown Phoenix.

Jason John Keller, was charged with one count of conspiracy, three counts of promoting prison contraband and three counts of assisting a criminal street gang.

According to court documents, Keller, on at least three separate occasions this year, allegedly smuggled heroin, a cell phone and a cell phone charger into inmates. Some of the inmates are members of a violent criminal street gang, the Mexican Mafia, and at least one is known to be Keller's client, the Arizona attorney general's office said.

Keller was charged by direct complaint in Maricopa County Superior Court. A preliminary hearing will be held within 10 days.

The case was investigated by the Phoenix Police Department. Assistant Attorney General Frank Collins will handle the case.

Additional charges filed in serial shooters case

UPDATE JULY 24:

Accused serial killer Dale Hausner pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and aggravated assault charges from a May 2006 stabbing in west Phoenix.

UPDATE JULY 17:

The following UPDATE was sent by the Maricopa County Attorney's Office:

County Attorney Andrew Thomas announced today that brothers Dale Hausner and Jeffrey Hausner have been indicted on new charges. The July 16, 2008, indictment charges both defendants with attempted first-degree murder, a class two dangerous felony, and aggravated assault, a class three dangerous felony.

The charges are related to the May 17, 2006, stabbing of a man near 75th Avenue and Camelback Road in Phoenix. The victim survived the attack.

In March 2007, Jeffrey Hausner pleaded guilty to a previous aggravated assault charge and was sentenced to 7.5 years in prison on May 11, 2007. That charge came as a result of an April 14, 2006, knife assault on a victim who had asked the defendant for change outside a Phoenix store. Both attacks are connected to the alleged Serial Shooters crime spree by the Phoenix Police Department. Dale Hausner is currently awaiting trial on multiple murder charges related to those events.

“We will continue to seek justice for all victims involved in this crime spree,” said Thomas. “This office will continue to support the efforts of law enforcement investigators working to resolve all crimes allegedly committed by these defendants.”

ORIGINAL REPORT:

Phoenix police and the Maricopa County Attorney's office have possibly linked another attempted homicide to the Serial Shooters series of homicides, attempted homicides, aggravated assaults and cruelty to animals.

Early on the morning of May 17, 2006, Timothy Davenport was stabbed repeatedly in the back and left in a parking lot near 75th Avenue and Camelback Road.

Phoenix police said they have added this case to the list of cases in the series and have identified Jeffrey Hausner, Dale Hausner's brother, as the suspect.

According to police investigators received information that has given them probably cause to submit attempted murder charges related to this incident against Jeffrey Hausner.

Investigators also believe that Dale Hausner and Samuel Dieteman were with Jeff during the stabbing.

The Maricopa County Attorney's office will determine if additional charges will be filed against those men in this case.

First West Nile death of 2008 in Maricopa County

The following is a press release from the Arizona Department of Public Health Services:

The Arizona Department of Health Services Thursday reported the state’s first death from West Nile Virus in 2008. Tests from the Arizona State Health Laboratory indicated that a woman in her ‘80s from Maricopa County died from West Nile Virus encephalitis this month.

“The recent monsoon activity has kick started the West Nile Virus season in Arizona,” said Craig Levy, manager of the state’s Vector-Borne Disease program. “This tragic death is a reminder of the importance of protecting yourself against mosquito bites.”

“Ridding your home of standing water translates to ridding your property of mosquitoes,” said Dr. Bob England, director of Maricopa County Public Health. “This small effort could make all the difference in protecting a loved one from West Nile virus.”

Other indicators of increased West Nile activity include West Nile positive mosquito pools in Maricopa, Pinal and Yuma counties. In addition, West Nile positive “sentinel chickens” have been identified in Cochise, Graham, Pinal, Santa Cruz, Greenlee and Pima counties.

Since its first arrival in Arizona in 2003, more than 750 residents have been infected with the disease. Forty-two deaths have been attributed to West Nile in the state, including seven last year.

“Be prepared,” Levy urged. “Use insect repellent, and wear protective clothing, especially between dusk and dawn and in areas where mosquitoes are active. One of the most important things we can do is to be sure we are not raising mosquitoes in our pools, ponds and birdbaths”

The state has established a web site, www.westnileaz.com, and a toll-free number, 1-800-314-9243, (Metro Phoenix: 602-364-4500), to provide additional information.

West Nile Virus is transmitted to humans and animals through mosquito bites. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds.

The best way to protect yourself from mosquito-borne illness is to reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home and neighborhood and to take personal precautions to avoid mosquito bites, such as:

Eliminate standing water where mosquitoes can breed. Check for items outside the home that collect water, such as cans, bottles, jars, buckets, old tires, drums and other containers.

Change water in flower vases, birdbaths, planters and animal watering pans at least twice a week. Repair leaky pipes and outside faucets, and move air conditioner drain hoses frequently.

Avoid being bitten by mosquitoes when going outside at night by using insect repellent.

Wear lightweight clothing that covers the arms and legs during dawn or dusk, or in areas where mosquitoes are active.