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Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma

Lost evidence could jeopardize Santa Fe murder case

Noriega wants the police department to be held accountable. September 26, 2019 ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.- Friends and Family of a young woman who was murdered will be protesting Friday outside District Court in Santa Fe. The case against Selena Valencia suspected killer, Christopher Garcia, could be thrown out because the Santa Fe Police Department lost se...

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DNA Evidence, Persistence Lead To 2 Arrests In 1983 Tulsa Cold Case Murder (DNA)

Police say on September 18, 1983, Baltes was found dead in a motel room, where he'd been tied up and beaten. Septemeber 22, 2019 TULSA, Oklahoma - Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter announced Friday that his office has charged two people with first-degree murder in a 1983 Tulsa cold case. Both are now in custody: 61-year-old Willie Moore. Moore ...

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Low river levels reveal 25-year-old evidence

The river dropping to allow recovery efforts continue for the crashed barges at the Webbers Falls dam is giving law enforcement a unique opportunity to dig up old evidence. September 7, 2019 BRAGGS, OK (KJRH) — A 25-year-old case had one piece of evidence that never turned up - a cash register said to have been thrown off Highway 10 into the Arkans...

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Grand jury indicts 60-year-old man in 1988 cold case murder of woman

DNA evidence from Jacobs' clothing that could finally be processed using modern technology,  August 30, 2019 JEFFERSON COUNTY — DEVELOPING: The Jefferson County grand jury has indicted Daniel Andrew MacGinnis, 60, for the 1988 murder of Patricia Ann Jacobs. Her body was discovered in October, 1988 in the Neches River beneath the Rainbow Bridge...

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N4T Investigators: Lost files may doom cold case murder investigation

The victim's family wants someone held responsible August 29, 2019 DOUGLAS, Ariz. – It was a murder that took place in Douglas 33 years ago. The victim's family wants someone held responsible, but a simple mistake in the storage of police homicide files could prevent that from ever happening. Patricia Alvarez was only 23-years old when she was murd...

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DOJ: Former narcotics supervisor sentenced for stealing drug evidence for personal use

In 2017, Mull began removing OSBI evidence envelopes containing the illicit drug before the evidence was booked. August 2, 2019 TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — According to U.S. Attorney Trent Shores, a former narcotics supervisor from the Mayes County Sheriff's Office was sentenced Friday for stealing methamphetamine that had been seized as evidence during ...

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Court finds evidence mishandling by clerk Woodman

Woodman provided no receipt and did not have him sign for the items. July 25, 2019 SAFFORD — The second trial of Manuel Campos, 38, on multiple charges will proceed despite a Graham County Superior Court finding that evidence was mishandled. On June 13, a Superior Court jury found Campos guilty of misconduct involving weapons. Campos will be senten...

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Missing evidence in Santa Fe murder case spurs internal investigation

Santa Fe police say an internal investigation is now underway to figure out how it got lost and re-evaluate evidence policies and procedures Enter Article DATE HERE SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – An investigation is underway after evidence in a Santa Fe murder investigation went missing. Christopher Garcia was arrested in 2017 for the murder of his g...

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Women Are Suing Austin, Travis County For Failing To Prosecute Sexual Assault

A class action lawsuit alleges Central Texas authorities engage in gender discrimination by failing to adequately investigate and prosecute sexual assaults. June 11, 2019 Last year, three named plaintiffs launched a class action lawsuit against the City of Austin, Travis County and several local officials, for failing to adequately investigate and ...

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Police, DA’s office react to new law targeting rape kit backlog

At that time, we submitted about 724 SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners) kits," Breedlove told KRIS 6 News. "All but about two hundred of those kits have been analyzed by DPS." June 08, 2019 Thousands of rape kits across Texas, including some that have been sitting on shelves for years, remain untested. Thanks to a new law recently signed by Gove...

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Former Jasper ofc. indicted for burglarizing evidence room in Kirbyville, taking marijuana

The indictment states Brister is accused of stealing marijuana from the evidence storage room. Enter Article DATE HERE JASPER COUNTY — The Jasper County Grand Jury has indicted a former Jasper police officer who is accused of burglarizing the evidence storage room of the Kirbyville Police Department, where his father serves as police chief, ac...

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Former Achille mayor speaks out before arrest in evidence room break-in

Investigators say the charges stem from an incident in March when several items were reported missing from the Achille Police Department's evidence room. Enter Article DATE HERE ACHILLE, Okla. – An embattled former Oklahoma mayor says it is time for him to be held accountable for his actions. Around 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Durant police arres...

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Oklahoma to tackle rape kit backlog with new law

Gov. Kevin Stitt last week signed a bill to create a statewide tracking system for collecting sexual assault evidence, May 2, 2019 Oklahoma is poised to tackle a backlog of more than 7,200 untested rape kits. Gov. Kevin Stitt last week signed a bill to create a statewide tracking system for collecting sexual assault evidence, which is the first of ...

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DNA identifies Arkansas homicide victim 30 years after death

Last seen over 30 years ago, William C. Reed's remains were identified in Oklahoma thanks to DNA technology. April 13, 2019h OKLAHOMA CITY — (AP) - An Arkansas man whose remains were found in Oklahoma has been identified more than 30 years after his death thanks to advances in DNA technology. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation said Thursday...

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Allison Feldman's family remembers daughter one year after groundbreaking arrest

Scottsdale police used familial DNA testing to match DNA found at the crime scene to 42-year-old Ian Mitcham. Enter Article DATE HERE SCOTTSDALE, AZ — One year ago, a suspect was arrested for the murder of Allison Feldman, 31, who was found dead inside her Scottsdale home in 2015. Court records said authorities found Feldman's body nude, and d...

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Pueblo West man arrested for 1994 cold case murder in Texas

More than 25 years after the crime, Pueblo County deputies arrested a suspect in a cold case murder from Texas on Thursday. March 25, 2019 PUEBLO WEST – More than 25 years after the crime, Pueblo County deputies arrested a suspect in a cold case murder from Texas on Thursday. Pueblo County Sheriff's deputies and U.S. Marshals arrested 73-year-old J...

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2528 Hits

Oklahoma County purging evidence room, selling guns to federal license holders

Avery said the shotguns, rifles and handguns were either stolen, seized or never claimed by the owner. March 10, 2019 OKLAHOMA COUNTY - Old, antique guns are up for auction. The Oklahoma County Sheriff's Department is purging their evidence room. And, you can get your hands on the guns, but only if you have a federal license. Over 500 guns gatherin...

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DA: Marijuana missing from Santa Rosa PD evidence room

Santa Rosa Police lost 19 pounds of marijuana from its evidence room February 13, 2019 Santa Rosa Police lost 19 pounds of marijuana from its evidence room, according to the Cameron County District Attorney, and now Police Chief Ronnie Hernandez's job is on the line. Santa Rosa aldermen are holding a special meeting Thursday to review Hernandez's w...

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DNA results found in 900+ untested rape kits in Austin police backlog

Austin Police outsourced the DNA testing of the untested rape kits to labs in other states to help tackle the backlog February 22, 2019 AUSTIN, Texas (KXAN) - AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department could potentially reopen dozens of rape investigations after getting the results from its backlog of 2,665 untested rape kits. About 35 percent o...

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Roosevelt County sheriff: Cash missing from evidence room

The Eastern New Mexico News reports Parker announced this week an audit found the cash missing after an employee notified him. Enter Article DATE HERE ORTALES, N.M. — Roosevelt County Sheriff Malin Parker is asking New Mexico State Police for help in investigating missing cash from its evidence room. The Eastern New Mexico News reports Parker ...

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Tulsa County Sheriff's property room overflowing

The property room currently houses about 56,000 pieces of property and evidence held by the sheriff's office. JANUARY 23, 2019 Stored personal property at the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office is becoming a big strain on law enforcement. The property room storing items of jail inmates belongings is running out of space to store pertinent items, like ev...

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2089 Hits

Ex-sergeant arrested in Alamo over glasses, again

Ray Bans that had been placed in the evidence property room. January 10, 2019 ALAMO — A former police sergeant here was arrested Tuesday over a pair of Ray Bans, marking the second occasion in four months that he was placed under arrest over the glasses. Rodney Guerra, 45, was arrested on a third-degree felony charge of tampering with evidence and ...

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40840 Hits

Maricopa County sheriff's deputy accused of stealing from dead person

MCSO's Professional Standards Bureau took over the matter for further investigation. Investigators reviewed the evidence and body-camera footage, officials said. Enter Article DATE HERE A Maricopa County sheriff's deputy has been arrested on suspicion of stealing money from a dead person's home after he responded to a call there, the Sheriff's...

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Fired Merkel police chief arrested for Tampering with Evidence


Court documents state Chief Ortiz stole $867 seized during a drug investigation from the evidence vault. Enter Article DATE HERE MERKEL, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) - The Merkel Police Chief under investigation for mishandling money has been arrested. Chris Ortiz self-surrendered in Callahan County Thursday morning for a Tampering with Physical Evidence...

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2213 Hits

Audit underway for BCSO property room


Salazar said the last time the property room had been thoroughly audited was in 1997. October 12, 2018 SAN ANTONIO - The results aren't in yet but changes are on the way. That's what Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said about an audit of the property room at the Sheriff's Office that started last year and covers cases going back to 2014. The sc...

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1671 Hits

Ex-Edcouch cop accused in elaborate drug heist gets 39 months


A former police lieutenant with the Edcouch Police Department accused of staging a drug seizure in order to steal cocaine from the agency's evidence room October 4, 2018 McALLEN — A former police lieutenant with the Edcouch Police Department accused of staging a drug seizure in order to steal cocaine from the agency's evidence room was sentenced Tu...

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1951 Hits

El Mirage cold case murder solved 17 years later thanks to new technology


Enter Headline here September 27, 2018 EL MIRAGE, AZ - The Arizona Department of Public Safety says they have solved a 17-year-old cold case murder in El Mirage. Richard Cacero Lucero was found dead on Dec. 20, 2001, when a family friend asked officers to conduct a welfare check on the victim. The Arizona Department of Public Safety took over the c...

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1926 Hits

Former Century Correctional Officer Sentenced For Stealing Drugs From Evidence Locker investigators determined that "K-2″ taken from an inmate was missing from the evidence locker.


Enter Headline here August 24, 2018 Joshua Vann Harrell, 26, pleaded no contest to grand theft of a controlled substance and destroying evidence. He was sentenced to five days in the county jail and 36 months probation for stealing "K2″ synthetic marijuana from an evidence locker. Officers reported finding a chain of custody form on the seat of the...

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1254 Hits

Ex-Quartzsite police employee pleads guilty to stealing cash


evidence technician has pleaded guilty to stealing about $25,000 from the department. August 23, 2018 A former Quartzsite police evidence technician has pleaded guilty to stealing about $25,000 from the department. State prosecutors say Christy Conley pleaded guilty to one count each of fraudulent schemes and artifices and tampering with evidence. ...

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1570 Hits

80-year-old man charged in cold case murder from 1969


Investigators said Burton's body was found in a vacant field over 48 years ago August 20 2018 HOUSTON – An 80-year-old man has been charged in connection with cold case involving the fatal shooting of a woman in 1969. The Houston Police Department says Ralph Tyrone Cooper, 80, is charged with murder in the death of his common-law wife, Mary An...

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1448 Hits

Hundreds of rape kits in Harris County could be compromised because of evidence collection problem


Records obtained by KHOU 11 Investigates confirms the cases that could be compromised date back to 2012 July 21, 2018 HOUSTON, Texas – Hundreds of rape kits in Harris County could have been compromised. This week, KHOU 11 investigates found out the Harris County District Attorney sent out letters saying there may be a problem with evidence collecte...

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1444 Hits

Former Merkel PD Chief charged with tampering with evidence


Chief allegedly took $867 out of the evidence vault July 18, 2018 ABILENE, TX — More information about allegations against the former Merkel Chief of Police has been revealed in the latest court documents recently obtained by KXVA FOX15. The documents state that 40-year-old Christopher Ortiz, who has been the Merkel Chief of Police since 2014, know...

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1844 Hits

Mayes Co. Sheriff employee accused of taking drugs from evidence


Sheriff Reed says Mull is suspected of taking drugs that were supposed to be placed into the evidence vault. July 12, 2018 PRYOR, Okla. (KTUL) — PRYOR, Okla., (KTUL) -- A Mayes county deputy is out of a job and could end up in jail himself. Brett Mull is accused of taking illegal drugs from evidence. It's an alleged crime sheriff Mike Reed never th...

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HPD: Officer exposed to unknown narcotic while collecting evidence in hotel room


A Houston police officer was treated after officials say he was exposed to an unknown narcotic while collecting evidence during a disturbance at a hotel room Wednesday morning. July 12, 2018 HOUSTON – A Houston police officer was treated after officials say he was exposed to an unknown narcotic while collecting evidence during a disturbance at a ho...

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Arrest of State Police officer could affect nearly 70 pending cases


The suspect also allegedly took methamphetamine that had been seized during an undercover operation by the FBI July 6, 2018  Select The juvenile female allegedly started receiving the messages following a June 15 traffic stop by Capehart during which he asked for personal information, including her date of birth, email address and phone number...

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2138 Hits

State Police officer arrested for drug trafficking


According to the criminal complaint, he stole drugs seized during arrests and gave them to women July 3, 2018 ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — New Mexico State Police officer Daniel Capehart, who worked patrol in the northwest part of the state, has been arrested and charged with distribution of methamphetamine and marijuana. Capehart made an initial court appe...

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1690 Hits

NO DRUGS: Lab testing confirms flyers were not tainted with Fentanyl


A specialized machine helped determine that Fentanyl was not on they flyers. June 30, 2018 After warning the public about flyers potentially tainted with the opioid Fentanyl, the Harris County Sheriff's Office now confirms lab tests showed no signs of the drug. The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences tested 13 flyers and found all of them ...

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2019 Hits

Fentanyl laced flyer: A Texas deputy touched a piece of paper and ended up in the hospital


The sergeant found a flyer on her windshield, removed it and soon began feeling light-headed June 26, 2018 A Texas deputy was treated at a hospital and then released on Tuesday after she touched a flyer suspected of being laced with fentanyl, a potent and potentially deadly opioid. The sergeant found a flyer on her windshield, removed it and soon b...

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1495 Hits

Ex-Pinal cop admits taking drugs from evidence room


The agency discovered over 100 pounds of narcotics were missing, court documents show, May 17, 2018 PHOENIX — A former sergeant of the Gila River Police Department has admitted to stealing narcotics from an evidence room and bringing them back to his Casa Grande home. Michael Coomes, 48, resigned from the tribal police agency shortly after an ex-gi...

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Oklahoma Task Force Suggests Allowing Victims To Track Rape-Kit Progress

Imagine every rape victim in Oklahoma being able to track their rape kit, from the time, the evidence is collected June 15, 2018 TULSA, Oklahoma - Imagine every rape victim in Oklahoma being able to track their rape kit, from the time, the evidence is collected at the hospital to when it's handed over to police, when it shows up in the property roo...

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2213 Hits

Glenpool city leaders refer questions about discarded evidence to PR firm

The question is how does all of that - pictures of deceased, bloodied bodies - people's loved ones, drug paraphernalia, full folders of full-page confidential police records - go from being safe inside the police station to being tossed out back in the dumpster? June 13, 2018 GLENPOOL, Okla. -- Shocking new developments in a story 2 Works for You b...

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Hundreds of guns up for auction from Wagoner County Sheriff's Office Saturday

"They've come out of property, whether it's been evidence in a crime, or it's been found property," June 9, 2018 COWETA, Okla. (KTUL) -- There are a number of guns for sale in Wagoner County getting auctioned by the sheriff's office. It's the second time the department has gotten rid of their seized property with an auction. If you ever wondered wh...

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1553 Hits

DNA links man to 1979 cold-case murder: police

A Texas man has been indicted in the cold-case killing of a newlywed who was found dead in her bed after being sexually assaulted and strangled. Enter Article DATE HERE A Texas man has been indicted in the cold-case killing of a newlywed who was found dead in her bed after being sexually assaulted and strangled. Michael Anthony Galvan, 64, of ...

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1535 Hits

Auction, destroy or return—RCSO clears out packed evidence room

Sheriff's deputies are working to clear out a packed evidence room where hundreds of guns and other weapons have been kept, some for the past few decades. May, 28, 2019 ROGERS COUNTY— Sheriff's deputies are working to clear out a packed evidence room where hundreds of guns and other weapons have been kept, some for the past few decades. Undersherif...

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1656 Hits

Ex-Police Chief in Kaufman County Faces Charges

Ex-Police Chief in Kaufman County Faces Charges May 22, 2018 The former police chief of Crandall, in Kaufman County, was arrested this past weekend. Ex-chief Billy Wayne Kilgore is accused of stealing firearms and tampering with the evidence to link him to it. The firearms were reportedly stolen from the city police department's evidence locker and...

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Worker finds unsecured box of guns, evidence in trash at Harris County courthouse

"There's not an evidence room in this town that has not had problems holding onto their evidence," he said. "It happens probably more than we know." May 19, 2018 A worker stumbled across a box of guns and money sitting with the trash on Thursday at the Harris County courthouse, where a would-be thief apparently ditched the stash of decade-old evide...

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3284 Hits

Former Crandall police chief arrested on charges for theft of firearm, tampering with evidence

A department owned AR-15 and department owned shotgun were recovered from him as well as 2 firearms that he was in possession of that had been taken out of the Department Evidence Room." May 19, 2018 CRANDALL, Texas — The former chief of police for the Crandall Police Department has been arrested and charged with theft of a firearm by a public serv...

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Former Jasper PD officer arrested in connection with burglary at KPD evidence room

Enter Headline here Enter Article DATE HERE JASPER COUNTY, TX (KTRE) - A former Jasper Police Department officer was arrested in connection with a burglary of the Kirbyville PD's evidence room. Samuel Paul Brister, 39, of Kirbyville, was arrested and charged with third-degree felony burglary of building-controlled substance present. His bond a...

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1985 Hits

Ex-Quartzsite police evidence tech accused of stealing $20K

Quartzsite police evidence technician has been indicted for allegedly stealing money she was responsible for safeguarding as evidence. May 9, 2018 PHOENIX (AP) — Authorities say a former Quartzsite police evidence technician has been indicted for allegedly stealing money she was responsible for safeguarding as evidence. The Arizona Attorney General...

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Tucson cold case solved nearly five years later

The DNA and blood matched up, linking Montano to the murder. He committed suicide back in 2014. May 5, 2018 TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) - Employees at the Tanque Verde AM/PM could breath a sigh of relief Saturday afternoon, knowing the 2013 cold case of their friend and colleague, Erick Bridges, has been solved. Employees like Eloise Trevino, who ...

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