Prescott Valley, AZ
Askew
PRESCOTT VALLEY - A former Prescott Valley Police Commander who was accused of taking narcotics discarded by the public as part of the "Dump the Drugs" program has been charged by the Mohave County Attorney's Office, although it is unclear what the charges may be.
An investigation by the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office alleged that Prescott Valley Police Commander Arthur Askew admitted he took the drugs from the department's evidence vault.
Askew, a 20-year veteran of the PVPD, resigned January 2, after being told he was being investigated in connection with the drug thefts and placed on administrative leave.
Police Chief Bryan Jarrell placed a motion-activated still camera and a hidden video camera in the drug vault, after he became suspicious of Askew's behavior.
The cameras captured video on December 30 and 31 that appeared to show him taking pills and placing them in a blue grocery bag and in his pocket.
The case was turned over to the Mohave County Attorney's Office for a decision on charges, and County Attorney Matt Smith said on Friday, March 27, "Charges have been filed, although I don't know the details. I believe the case is going to be resolved in the near future."
Smith deferred to Deputy County Attorney Jace Zack, who, he said, would be out of the office for a few days.
Jarrell also said he knew little about the case. "I know they reached a charging decision, but not positive what it was," he said. "I believe it involved an arrangement that is made to everyone such as treatment and, upon successful completion, a reduced charge."
Prescott Valley Police Commander Art Askew appears to place a bag of narcotic drugs into another bag in the PVPD evidence locker on Dec. 30, 2014. Courtesy/Prescott Valley Police
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
International Association for Property and Evidence
"Law Enforcement Serving the Needs of Law Enforcement"
www.IAPE.org