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Video: PCAO joined a coalition project to Fight Against Federal Overreach (F.A.F.O)
Recognizing the nature of federal law enforcement efforts and exercising 1st Amendment Rights with common sense and enough restraint to avoid provocation and potential consequences was a consistent theme in the first month of 2026. Read about all of this and more. Your January Community Newsletter has arrived.
The Pima County Attorney’s Office joined Tucsonans during celebratory events honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. across Tucson on Jan. 17 and Jan. 19.
During the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast on Jan. 17, Pima County Attorney Laura Conover joined community members at the Holmes Tuttle Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson. While Pima County Attorney’s Chief Civil Deputy, Sam Brown, shared words from CA Conover during the Tucson MLK 2026 Commemorative March & Celebration at Reid Park.
Events such as these provide the PCAO team with opportunities to help build a safer community through accountability, healing and restorative justice.
On January 21, Pima County Attorney Conover and Communications Director Shawndrea Thomas, along with hundreds of others, attended a special event at the Tucson Convention Center. Governor Katie Hobbs gave her State Report, where she focused on resolving the affordable housing crisis, water issues within the state, and access to health care for Arizonans who need it the most.
Our office was able to meet with the governor and other local leaders to discuss ways that our office can contribute and better help our community grow. Laura also had a meet and greet with some bright high schoolers from her alma mater, Salpointe Catholic High School, to talk about their goals and dreams for the future.
The event was hosted by the Southern Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Laura was grateful that the folks on The Arizona Daily Star editorial staff made space for her op-ed in the January 18 edition, allowing her to encourage readers to understand the different forms of federal immigration enforcement and to exercise restraint while standing in peaceful protest.
She penned the opinion piece with the intention of countering a Star column calling for “blanket resistance” to federal law enforcement, sharing her message with the intent of preventing violent encounters like those in Minneapolis, Chicago and other “blue” U.S. cities.
The sentiment of the op-ed was foreshadowed by a statement Laura made four days earlier that was shared on our social media platforms.
Local Newspaper Op-ed
TUCSON, ARIZONA- As has been widely reported, today apparently marked a significant change in circumstances with increased ICE activity throughout many of our neighborhoods across the County.
Some of the activity observed today looked nothing like what we are familiar with from our local law enforcement.
As you know, I get things right and not rushed. And, I will continue not to rush to judgment. But neither will I tolerate illegal conduct if proof of it comes to me.
If you are in possession of photos or videos that you believe show improper or illegal conduct, please visit the website of the Pima County Attorney’s Office, where you will find an option on the home page to submit that material.
I remind the community again to use your constitutional rights, to use your voice, to make yourself heard, to join and support each other in solidarity, and to protect one another. And I need you to do all of this peacefully and from a distance so each one of you goes home safe and sound each night.
I am full of gratitude that all reports from today indicate the community is following my encouragement and observing safely and peacefully from a distance. And, if that peace from the community is met with violence, it will not matter what uniform you wear or what agency you claim. If you break our laws and cause harm, and if I have proof of it, you will face the full extent of the law, as vested in me, your Pima County Attorney.
The Pima County Attorney’s Office is committed to restorative justice, transparency, and accountability as the focus of a mission that also seeks alternatives to incarceration when appropriate, provides support for victims, and strives to be inclusive and equitable to all segments of the communities we serve in the pursuit of public safety and well-being.
Press Release: Laura Updates Community Over ICE Activity
We at “The People’s Office” are always thrilled when Pima County administration selects one of our own among the “GEMS” of the county workforce.
At the January 20 meeting of the Pima County Board of Supervisors, PCAO’s Jacqueline Cheang, who works in Legal Process Support for criminal cases, was among the six “GEMS” publicly acknowledged for their great work on behalf of Pima County residents.
“Jacqueline Cheang works with sensitive information every day involving persons accused of or charged with criminal offenses,” Pima County Communications said in the eScoop newsletter. “She handles that work with the utmost professionalism, responding quickly to sensitive matters in the office and devising innovative solutions and processes so that the office is more efficient in utilizing resources.”
Amid local rumors of various kinds of federal law enforcement efforts in Pima County, and as the nation anxiously watches ICE sweeps in U.S. cities, Pima County Attorney Laura Conover went on local radio today to encourage restraint and safety.
As a guest on KVOI Radio host Bill Buckmaster’s Friday broadcast, Laura further reinforced her message to avoid assumptions that ICE sweeps have arrived in Pima County and to be cautious in interactions with federal agents.
Pointing out that not all federal law enforcement activity involves ICE officers, local residents should be careful not to impede lawful operations being carried out with judicial warrants.
Peacefully protesting what is happening and taking video or photos from a safe distance can provide evidence for local law enforcement and, if necessary, prosecution of any unlawful behavior that might occur, she said.
“The concerns about what we are seeing on our TV, on our phones, in other cities is completely righteous,” Laura said. “I respect the level of stress and anxiety and fear that’s going on. But we must meet that by being cool, calm, and collected about it.”
“I assure you that if you accidentally run into an undercover drug and gun bust, you ain’t going to want no part of that,” Laura said.
Attempting to “turn down the temperature” while speaking to a live audience, Laura reiterated her advice to “not fight fire with more fire, but with water.”
“I’m literally just trying to keep everyone alive,” Laura said. “It’s heavy, and I’m sorry it’s so heavy, but that’s my goal.”
January 16, 2026 – County Attorney Laura Conover on the Bill Buckmaster Show
In late January, PCAO’s Domestic Violence Supervisor Kendrick Wilson participated in an online panel discussion at the League of Women Voters of Greater Tucson, sharing information about developments at “The People’s Office.”
Among the topics discussed was the recent partnership with Emerge Center Against Domestic Abuse that will continue support for victims on weekends and evenings amid funding challenges for our Victim Services Division.
Emerge staff will triage after-hour calls and support volunteer advocates who are dispatched to 911 domestic violence calls to provide support services.
Domestic violence cases are the No. 1 generator of 911 calls to local law enforcement, and PCAO and Emerge recognized the urgent need to continue this service to Pima County residents.
The need to hire additional attorneys and victim advocates was also discussed, as was the U-visa process for immigrant victims of domestic violence crimes and the value of that program to both law enforcement and prosecutors toward delivering justice and holding offenders accountable.
“If my door were open, you would hear almost a half dozen phone meetings going on with victims as we speak”, Kendrick said. “We are making tremendous progress on the backlog.”
#justiceinpimacounty
At the Pima County Attorney’s Office, not only do we serve as prosecutors who seek justice for victims by giving them a voice, we also serve as legal counsel for other elected officials in our county and all county departments.
As we enter a new year, we are also entering a new era of change. That change occurred earlier this week. The division led by Chief Civil Deputy County Attorney Sam Brown will continue our work, with a new leadership transition on the Pima County Board of Supervisors.
At the first BOS meeting of 2026, Board Chair and District 1 Supervisor Rex Scott turned the gavel over to a new chair, while the nomination of new Vice Chair went to a vote. District 3 Supervisor Jennifer Allen was appointed Board Chair for 2026, and District 2 Supervisor Dr. Matt Heinz, will now serve as Vice Chair. Both embrace social issues important to “The People’s Office,” and will assume their new leadership roles at the January 20 meeting.
Chair Allen was elected to the Board in 2024 and brings with her a wealth of experience as an organizer and advocate who has led numerous organizations dedicated to environmental and social justice.
Dr. Heinz, who has been on the BOS since 2020, will serve as caucus whip for the Democrat-led board and has an impressive record in public health, including serving as former President Barack Obama’s Director of Provider Outreach in the Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs, a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
And I would be remiss to not share my appreciation for the year of calm and steady leadership by Supervisor Rex Scott. He has led the BOS through a turbulent year and played a pivotal role in the joint meeting with the Tucson City Council to discuss a host of issues revolving around open drug use, homelessness, and retail theft. It’s another step in the right direction for multijurisdictional solutions.
We are here and we are ready to work together with our local partners to help create a safer and healthier Pima County for the future.
KVOA News Coverage of Appointments
As the Pima County Attorney’s Office continues working with Tucson metro area law enforcement, safety officials and communications professionals on an upcoming traffic safety campaign, this #tuesdaytip focuses on aggressive driving.
While law enforcement strives to keep the streets safe for our community members and families, it will take all of us to make a difference. Be safe out there.
Aggressive Driving Safety Tips For Pima County
Xotchitl Orozco and James Rappaport from the PCAO Conviction and Sentencing Integrity Unit (CSIU) attended a recent career day at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law.
“ASU is my alma mater, so it was great to discuss working at PCAO with students who went to the same school I did,” Orozco explained. “They had many of the same questions I remember having myself, and I hope some of these law students choose to come work at PCAO.”
The CSIU mission is to review legitimate claims of innocence by individuals who have been convicted by PCAO and/or believe they have received illegal sentences.
Law clerks are a cornerstone of the Pima County Attorney’s Office. From conducting legal research and preparing legal reports to assisting legal teams before and during court, law clerks are crucial to the PCAO mission.
Join the PCAO team in congratulating Brooklyn Park, Minnesota native Vincent Kroll, who has been a law clerk with our Criminal Division since June 2025, for his recent selection as the Senior Managing Editor of the Arizona Law Review for 2026-2027.
Since 1959, the Arizona Law Review, published by the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law, has held a strong reputation as a respected, general-interest academic legal journal.
As a student-led position, Senior Managing Editor is the most prestigious position on the Law Review other than Editor-in-Chief.
“Part of the selection process was the quality of my work for Law Review over this past school year,” Kroll explained. “Since my classmates selected me for this role, I feel honored to know they think I am capable of doing the work and that they trust me with these responsibilities.”
It is a role Kroll will no doubt excel in, given the hard work, dedication, and meticulous attention to detail he has brought to the PCAO team.
“I am grateful to help the attorneys manage their caseload by assisting with responses to motions, and I have really enjoyed learning about criminal law, especially related to sentencing, post-conviction relief and appeals,” Kroll said.
Being selected for this role will help Kroll continue to shape his already bright future in the legal profession.
“My legal career will always benefit from legal writing and research skills,” Kroll said. “But when I graduate from law school, I hope this position also helps me with judicial clerkship applications.
January saw two new additions to the Communications Team here at the Pima County Attorney’s Office.
James Allerton (pictured left) takes a role as the 88-Crime Program Coordinator. Although new to this role, Allerton is no stranger to the Pima County community.
Allerton’s 20 years of law enforcement experience with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the Tucson Airport Authority Police Department have kept him working hand in hand with, and for, the Pima County community. During his career in Law Enforcement, he has served as patrol deputy, a detective assigned to narcotics and general investigations units, a border crime unit detective, a uniformed chaplain and public information officer.
“The highlight of this journey hasn’t just been the work—it’s been the people,” Allerton said. “I’ve been honored to stand beside the brave men and women of Southern Arizona’s law enforcement community. You have my lifelong respect and support.”
Allerton will now lead PCAO 88-Crime’s efforts throughout Pima County to help address community concerns, support local law enforcement, and increase the overall safety of the community.
For more information, please visit https://88crime.org/
Kelvin Ringold (Pictured right) joined “The People’s Office” mid-month, after an extensive career in military communications as well as experience working with the City of Tucson.
The Maryland native found a home in Southern Arizona late in his 23-year Army career. After starting as a power generator mechanic, Kelvin had assignments in Texas and Korea before arriving at Fort Huachuca and serving as a Senior Public Affairs Advisor.
In that role, Kelvin’s duties involved writing, photography, social media campaigns,s and creating multimedia content and community engagement. He developed and implemented strategic communications and information programs shared across 30 nations and also mentored up-and-coming public affairs specialists.
We recruit legal researchers, litigators, and professional staff who use their unique talents to move our Office forward. You’re invited to apply to work for a progressive prosecuting agency that values accountability, public service, and outcome-driven thinking.
We offer excellent work-life balance, great incentives, and a generous benefits package, including:
All open PCAO positions APPLY HERE
There are a variety of positions to apply for at PCAO
Here’s a look at some of the links to social media and podcast messages we’ve shared throughout the year.
All Podcast episodes are available here:
https://thepeoplesofficepodcast.podbean.com/
Social Media Posts:
We just wanted to share some of the other candid moments from the month, like this twinning photo of our Chief Criminal and Civil Deputies, Sam Brown and Josh Moser, a look inside the 37th annual YWCA Women’s Conference, Governors State Report, and MLK events.
The Pima County Attorney’s Office set up collection sites for food donations in our building throughout November and December to support families in need during the holiday season. Our collection was gathered and dropped off at a local food bank by PCAO detectives.
What the PCAO family continues to do for this office, the community, and the victims we fight for every day is a testament to our diverse, talented workforce.
While it has been a busy month here at the PCAO, the contributions each one of you makes day in and day out and the support of our community members, make everything we go through here worth it.
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The PCAO Community Newsletter is published and distributed monthly.
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