Latest news with #MCAO
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
He Wanted a Rare Mustang. When the Seller Backed Out, the Buyer Came Back with a Gun
NEED TO KNOW Alexander Lee Smith was sentenced last Friday to two consecutive life sentences for the Nov. 2023 murders of Walter Mitchell and Susie Ephrem Smith shot and killed the couple inside their Peoria, Ariz., home after a deal to buy Mitchell's rare Mustang fell through Smith had twice tried to convince police he had purchased the car from Mitchell before investigators grew suspicious, leading to his confession and arrest a year laterAn Arizona man has received two consecutive life sentences for murdering a couple in 2023 who owned a car that he wanted to purchase, one day after their transaction fell through. The Maricopa County Attorney's Office announced the sentencing last Friday, detailing how investigators were able to tie Alexander Lee Smith to the November 2023 double homicide. According to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, the 21-year-old man 'forced his way' into the home of Walter Mitchell and Susie Ephrem and shot both of them. Ephrem was able to call 911 but later died from her wounds at a local hospital, while Mitchell died at the scene. The couple's 8-year-old grandson was also home during the deadly break-in but wasn't harmed, according to officials. Prosecutors say Smith met the couple after becoming interested in purchasing Mitchell's Ford Shelby GT500, a high-performance version of a Mustang. Smith was set to buy the luxury car, but Mitchell called off the sale after the 21-year-old's wire transfer did not go through, according to authorities. That night, Mitchell sold the car to a local car dealership, authorities said. The next day, Smith broke into the couple's home and fatally shot them both. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Authorities were still investigating the scene when Smith showed up the next day, telling officers that he worked for a car collector who had purchased the car from Mitchell. Officers turned Smith away, but two weeks later, the 21-year-old man showed up again at the Peoria police station and inquired about the car. The attorney's office said officers realized Smith's story didn't match up with what he'd told detectives at the scene two weeks earlier, and they grew suspicious. GPS records from Smith's phone placed him near the scene on the night of the killings, while detectives were also able to match his fingerprints to the front door handle of the couple's home. Smith was arrested in November 2024 and later pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder, as well as one count of first-degree burglary. 'This was an act driven by greed; even after taking two lives, this defendant continued to lie to police to try to get the car,' Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said in a statement last week. 'Thanks to Peoria Police and MCAO prosecutors, his story unraveled, and he will spend the rest of his life facing the consequences of his choices.' Read the original article on People Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
3 sentenced for deadly 2023 Tempe drive-by shooting
The Brief Three men were sentenced for a deadly drive-by shooting in Tempe back in March 2023. A boy, 5, was killed and a teen boy and girl were injured in the shooting near 48th Street and Broadway Road. TEMPE, Ariz. - Three men were sentenced for their roles in a deadly Tempe drive-by shooting that killed a little boy and injured a teen and young girl. What we know In March 2023, Alfred Gary, Freddy Patterson and Charles Adams pulled up alongside a black Chevrolet Impala at a red light near 48th Street and Broadway Road in Tempe. Seven people were inside the Impala, mostly kids and teens, and they shot more than 20 rounds into it. A five-year-old boy was killed, and a 17-year-old boy and an eight-year-old girl were injured. "The defendants then picked up dinner before returning to the crime scene to take a video, which they used to brag about the shooting with fellow gang members," the Maricopa County Attorney's Office said. Documented gang members, Patterson and Adams, had an issue with a rival gang member inside the Impala. "All three defendants pleaded guilty to a range of felony offenses, including second-degree murder, drive-by shooting, conspiracy to commit a drive-by shooting, and aggravated assault. Gary was sentenced to 16 years in prison, while Patterson and Adams were each sentenced to 30 years in prison," MCAO said. Patterson and Adams had another five years tacked onto their sentences because of a drive-by shooting that happened two days earlier. They shot into a car with a mother and her kids inside – no one was hurt.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Man sentenced to 174 years in prison for prostituting a runaway teen
The Brief Leroy Ellis Jr., 32, was sentenced to 174 years in prison for forcing a runaway teen into prostitution, the Maricopa County Attorney's Office said on May 29. The teen was commended by county attorney Rachel Mitchell for testifying in the suspect's trial by jury. MARICOPA COUNTY, Ariz. - A 32-year-old man was sentenced to nearly two centuries in prison for forcing a runaway teen to work as a prostitute, the Maricopa County Attorney's Office said. What we know Leroy Ellis Jr. was sentenced to 174 years in prison after a jury found him guilty of child sex trafficking and committing a dangerous crime against children. "In 2022, the victim – who was 15 at the time - traveled from California to Arizona after meeting Ellis on Facebook. After she arrived in Phoenix, Ellis groomed her to start working for him as a prostitute right after her 16th birthday," the county attorney's office said on May 29. "The victim testified that over the next several months she gave everything she earned from sex to the defendant. On at least two occasions, she had sex so Ellis would have money to pay for his son's birthday party and buy presents." MCAO says texts between the victim and Ellis show that he would approve her "dates" and the prices. The office also says she was "branded" with tattoos of Ellis' name and nickname in large letters. Those tattoos were seen in photos he'd post online for "sex advertisements." "This woman showed incredible bravery by testifying about how she was manipulated and victimized by the defendant," said Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell. "Thank you to the Phoenix Police detectives who rescued her from a life of prostitution, and to the prosecution team in my office for finding justice for this woman who has been so horribly abused." What you can do Click here to learn more about resources in Arizona for trafficking victims.
Miami Herald
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Laura Owens faked pregnancy with ‘Bachelor' star, officials say. She's indicted
National Laura Owens faked pregnancy with 'Bachelor' star, officials say. She's indicted Clayton Echard was noticeably excited to learn that Laura Owens was indicted on seven felony charges related to his paternity case. Screengrab from @claytonechard's Instagram. Laura Owens has been indicted on felony charges after a yearlong investigation into her paternity case. The 34-year-old daughter of longtime San Francisco radio host Ronn Owens previously accused former 'The Bachelor' star Clayton Echard of impregnating her with twins. Owens, who was seeking child support, filed a paternity suit against Echard in 2023, per the San Francisco Chronicle. Echard denied the allegations and clarified that their previous encounters didn't involve intercourse — and that he couldn't be the father of her children. Owens eventually dropped the lawsuit after allegedly suffering a miscarriage. The case was then sent to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office (MCAO), which has been investigating inconsistencies in Owens' testimony. On May 6, the MCAO announced the indictment of Owens. The attorney's office found that Owens had 'altered an ultrasound image, fabricated a pregnancy video, and lied multiple times under oath' between May 2023 and June 2024, according to a news release. Owens was indicted on seven felony charges, including one count of fraudulent schemes and artifices, one count of forgery and one count of tampering with physical evidence. She was also charged with four counts of perjury. The indictment comes nearly one year after Judge Julie Mata of Maricopa County Superior Court called Owens' claims 'fraudulent and baseless,' per the San Francisco Chronicle. In June 2024, Owens called Judge Mata out on the 'absurdity' of her ruling in an article published on Medium. Owens argued that her evidence couldn't be 'meaningless' after providing 'multiple at-home tests, a urine pregnancy test done at an urgent care facility, and even a blood test for pregnancy done at a lab.' Owens also accused Judge Mata of favoring Echard due to his celebrity status. On May 6, Echard took to his Instagram account to celebrate 'justice has finally been served.' The 32-year-old reality star first appeared as a contestant on Season 18 of 'The Bachelorette' before being named the star of Season 26 of 'The Bachelor,' which aired in 2022. In his video, Echard detailed the charges against Owens before saying, 'This nightmare is over.' 'I am so ready to not have to think about this anymore,' Echard exclaimed, ultimately thanking the investigators and his legal team for 'serving up justice.' 'This is just such a weight lifted off,' he continues. 'We are so, so thankful. And thank you all for your support. I have not been this happy as a weight of two years lifted off my shoulders.' After the June 2024 ruling that found Owens' testimony to be baseless, Echard praised himself for staying strong throughout the legal proceedings. 'There were plenty of times where I felt like I just wanted to give up and not fight because it just was taking up so much of my energy to do so,' he told People at the time. 'But I just learned that sticking to it and really fighting for yourself. I mean, no one will fight for you like you will,' he added. RB Ryan Brennan Miami Herald Email this person Ryan Brennan is a writer for Mamas Uncut, the online place for moms. He writes about the latest in baby names, parenting and entertainment.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Yahoo
Grand jury indicts man on multiple felony sexual assault charges involving minors
A grand jury indicted a man on multiple felony counts after DNA testing linked him to cases dating back nearly 25 years, the Maricopa County Attorney's Office announced April 9. Prosecutors said 45-year-old Dat Vu was indicted on the following: Two counts of sexual assault. Two counts of sexual conduct with a minor. One count of kidnapping. One count of attempt to commit sexual conduct with a minor. One count of sexual abuse. MCAO said Vu committed the crimes between 2000 and 2005 involving four victims between the ages of 13 and 17. The agency said Vu threatened victims with a gun during two of the incidents. His next scheduled court hearing is on May 6 in Maricopa County Superior Court. MCAO said investigators connected Vu to the assaults through DNA testing conducted with sexual assault kits funded by Sexual Assault Kit Initiative, or SAKI, grants. The agency said it was awarded $6.3 million for SAKI grants between 2016 and 2021, along with an additional $2.5 million in December 2024 to go toward DNA testing in cold cases involving sexual assaults. "SAKI grants help us take a crucial step toward closure by providing the resources necessary to process sexual assault kits,' Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said in a written statement. 'It's not only about solving these cases but restoring hope and giving victims the long-overdue justice they deserve.' Reach the reporter Perry Vandell at or 480-341-9433. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @PerryVandell. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: DNA testing leads to indictment of Arizona man on multiple felony charges
