Community Newsletter
Archives
Archives
While October brought more legal victories for the citizens of Pima County at the federal level, others had the opportunity to get a fresh start closer to home. Your October 2025 PCAO Community Newsletter has arrived.
Our office is reflecting on a recent case that drew both local and national attention. It involved a Marana man whose 2-year-old daughter died after he left her alone in a hot car that reached over 109 degrees for more than 3 hours in the summer of 2024. The incident led to her death. Now we have learned that he, too, has died by taking his own life.
In October, the defendant accepted a plea agreement. He pleaded guilty to one count of Second-Degree Murder and one count of Intentional/Knowing Child Abuse under Circumstances Likely to Cause Death or Serious Physical Injury. As the 11/5 court date for the defendant approached, along with him being taken into custody, our office learned that he died on the morning of that court date.
As a result, the Phoenix Police Department is now investigating the death of the father, and the sentencing date set for 11/21/25 is expected to be vacated in the coming weeks.
County Attorney Conover released the following video statement (attached) regarding the outcome of the case and her message to the surviving children.
Pima County Attorney Laura Conover speaking on the status of the hot car death case.
In early October, a Pima County Grand Jury indicted two local men for illegal behavior at a protest of the ICE facility in June.
Two men were indicted on charges of rioting during the June 11 protest of ICE.
“I will always fight for the community’s rights to peaceful protest and free speech,” County Attorney Conover said of the indictment. “Pima County has held dozens of respectful and powerful demonstrations in the last several months. Many of those large rallies had not a single reported act of violence in defense of American Democracy and the Constitution itself.”
Vowing to stay focused on community safety, Conover promised to hold accountable those who go beyond peaceful protest while upholding the First Amendment right to protest against government actions.
“Our best response to federal overreach is organized, peaceful solidarity,” she said. “This is what makes us Pima County.”
A federal judge ruled in favor of the Pima County Attorney’s Office in the ongoing intergovernmental dispute over custody of a Pima County murder suspect.
County Attorney Conover expressed gratitude for the Oct. 2 ruling of U.S. District Judge Rosemary Marquez, who ordered the U.S. Department of Justice to make murder suspect Julio Cesar Aguirre available to our prosecutors to provide justice to local victims of the June 30 crime spree he is alleged to have committed.
That spree included the shooting death of 69-year-old Ricky E. Miller Sr. in an attempted carjacking, as well as holding several other people at gunpoint.
Aguirre, a Mexican national who had previously been deported from the U.S. for criminal activity, was arrested by Tucson police and taken to a local hospital for treatment of injuries, including bites from a police dog.
While in the hospital, Aguirre was taken into custody by federal agents and moved to a holding cell in Pinal County to await federal charges for firearm violations. That move prompted a dispute between PCAO and federal authorities over custody and the right to prosecute the case.
Our office filed suit against the U.S. Department of Justice out of concern that prosecution for the murder of Mr. Miller and the ordeals of other elderly victims would suffer because of federal interference.
Judge Marquez agreed in a ruling that supported the goal of seeking justice for all victims of the crime spree.
“From the start of this case, our only goal was to provide justice for all seven local victims instead of one victim as contemplated by federal prosecutors,” Conover said. “With this victory in court, we can now do so. We look forward to our experienced local prosecutors having their opportunity to participate in this important case.”
“The People’s Office” joined forces once again with Fresh Start International for an event that helps people with past legal issues to get their lives back on the right track.
The 2025 Fresh Start Expo was held Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Tucson Convention Center, with representatives from PCAO, Southern Arizona Legal Aid, several judges from local courts, as well as other legal partners, to provide formerly incarcerated people and others with lingering legal situations the opportunity to put past mistakes behind them.
Services offered at the Fresh Start Expo include clearing up old warrants, restoring civil rights, and having some marijuana convictions expunged. Visitors also had the opportunity to access resources for healthcare, housing, education, addiction and behavioral health services, clothing, and haircuts. Since its inception, the Fresh Start program has helped over 3,000 people throughout Pima County.
To find out more about Fresh Start International and the annual Fresh Start Expo, click here to view a 2024 episode of “The People’s Office Podcast” about the subject.
Thursday, Oct. 16, gave staff at the Pima County Attorney’s Office the opportunity to wear purple and stand in unity with domestic violence victims.
Staff gathered outside the Pima County Legal Services Building at 32. N. Stone Avenue in downtown Tucson to show support for those whose lives have been or will be affected by domestic violence. The PCAO communications team also released a Domestic Violence PSA about looking for the signs of abuse and getting access to resources for help. You can watch the video of the PSA below.
PCAO 2025 Domestic Violence PSA
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:
Talking With Ted
Laura stopped by Bustos Studios for her first-ever sit-down with Ted Maxwell from the Southern Arizona Leadership Council on “The Morning Voice” to discuss how plea deals are handled, challenges, staffing, and other critical issues affecting our community. A link to the episode can be found here
Cleaning Things Up in Tucson
Staff from PCAO teamed up to complete a cleanup with the Mayor’s Office. They spent their morning picking up trash in Ward 3, as part of the Violence Intervention and Vitalization Action initiative (VIVA), and the Amphi Neighborhood Association.
The goal was to care for areas in our community that have been identified as hotspots for violent crime and drug trafficking. The teams were able to share coffee, water, and donuts with locals in transit. Community members were happy to see the crew in their neighborhood cleaning up, way to go!
The 2025 PCAO Halloween costume contest was a big hit, which brought out the most creative and innovative creations. We also had a good time celebrating PCAO Victim Services Court Dog Baja’s 9th birthday. It was a great time for everyone who stopped by to support both events.
The PCAO Community Newsletter is published and distributed monthly.
Have questions or concerns?
You can email us at info@pcao.pima.gov.
And follow us on social media by clicking on any of the icons below.