Jennifer Jones arrested in Quartzsite Post Office!

The Desert Freedom Press Publisher Jennifer Jones was arrested Friday afternoon in the Quartzsite Post Office by Sergeant Xavier Frausto and Police Chief Jeff Gilbert. Jones states that she repeatedly asked them what the charge was, but they refused to tell her.  Later, she finally learned that she had been charged with felony witness tampering, over an unsubstantiated allegation made by a woman named Denise Florian.

Florian, who admits to having a drug and alchohol problem moved to Quartzsite over the summer and was almost immediately appointed to the town personnel board to oversee the appeal hearings of the Quartzsite police officers wrongfully terminated over the summer. She was subsequently appointed to the town Health and Development Board which then made recommendations to the council about how much money to give the Senior Center, Museum, and Chamber of Commerce.

According to Jones, Florian had assaulted her in a severly drunken state a few weeks earlier at a local restaurant. For obvious reasons, the Jones did not call the police as Jennifer was not injured and the police have not protected them in the past.

In a video conferenced appearance, Judge Karen Slaughter set Jones ' bail at $10,000 Because she had a statement from Florian claiming to be in fear for her life. Jones states that she reminded Judge Slaughter that bail was only to assure your appearance and that tha Constitution prohibited excessive bail, but Slaughter told her that if she didn't like it, she could wait in jail until they found her another judge. Slaughter made headlines for another controversial ruling this summer when she ordered Republican Precinct Committeman Michael Roth's guns taken away for calling Councilman "Machine Gun Joe" Winslow a "turd".

Jones made bail Saturday evening and states that an official press release would be forthcoming. Just remember, you heard it here first!

Better late than never!

The DESERT FREEDOM PRESS has just announced the following press release:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BREAKING NEWS! Quartzsite Police Chief Jeff Gilbert SCANDAL!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 5/31/11 Quartzsite, Arizona Police Chief Jeff Gilbert is struggling desperately to maintain his position after three quarters of his own officers filed formal complaints against him with Arizona Conference of Police and Sheriffs (AZCOPS) and Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board (AZPOST). The timing of these complaints appears to be in response to evidence and testimony expected to be revealed in currently pending lawsuits against the town and the ongoing criminal prosecution of citizens who have a documented history of complaining about the police chief's patterns and practices. Now that Governor Brewer has signed  a bill which amends A.R.S. 14 - 1822  and allows AZPOST to revoke an officers certification, many citizens and law enforcement officers are hoping that's the least of what happens to Jeff Gilbert. A former officer with the Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT), Gilbert is also a current legislative member of the Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police (AACOP) Allegations have been made against Quartzsite's Police Chief for both criminal conduct and ethical violations of the town's personnel manual. They range from assault, illegal searches and arrests, surveillance and investigation of political opponents, "official police business" being conducted without reports filed, false reporting, and grant fraud, to abuse of National Crime Information Center (NCIC) background checks for personal use and/or without probable cause. La Paz County Republican Precinct Chairman Michael Roth maintains he was falsely arrested for "disorderly conduct" and placed on the FBI "terrorist watch list" for his outspoken criticism of Police Chief Jeff Gilbert. After being notified that officers of the Quartzsite Police Department intend to publicly announce a vote of "no confidence", read their formal complaints and ask the Town Council to terminate Chief Gilbert's recently renewed contract for "cause" at the next regular meeting of the Common Council on June 14th, Mayor Ed Foster has now scheduled a special meeting for Wednesday, June 1st at 6 pm, to discuss the situation. The police chief's current contract, which included additional pay raises, was prematurely renewed on February 8th, 2011 by unanimous council approval, after Mayor Foster recused himself from the meeting. Foster wanted no part of what he believed was an orchestrated plot by Town Manager Alexandra Taft to secure ongoing employment for Gilbert, before the majority of the Quartzsite Town Council faced a March recall election. All five political challengers wanted Chief Gilbert terminated, but narrowly missed in their attempt to unseat recalled incumbents. Rather than have the officer's complaints investigated at no charge by the Major Crimes Division of the state police, Town Manager Alex Taft has instead chosen to hire a private firm, in what appears to be a pattern of damage control and cover up. Last spring, it was rumored that a friend of Chief Gilbert's at the Sheriff's office was specifically requested to investigate complaints made to AZPOST by Mayor Ed Foster, former Councilman Bill Moore, and businesswoman Jennifer Jones (Harris). This assignment was alleged to be the result of a deal struck between Taft, Gilbert, and La Paz County Sheriff Don Lowery. Lowery had also refused to investigate the assault complaint made by Jones against Police Chief Jeff Gilbert and Quartzsite Detective Felipe Rodriguez on April 13th of 2010, despite the video being posted to Youtube. A recent  town council candidate with no prior criminal history, Jennifer Jones has been arrested three times, and charged with a total of 10 misdemeanors since filing her AZPOST complaint. Her husband John was also arrested over the same incidents, and charged with three misdemeanors. Neither has been brought to trial. The police chief compared Mrs. Jones and Michael Roth to Tucson gunman Jarrod Laughner at the January 11th Quartzsite Council Meeting. After a year and a half of contriving criminal complaints that didn't hold water, the Police Chief finally arrested the mayor May 10th, on charges of "disorderly conduct". Apparently, the result of Foster calling Gilbert an "idiot" five days earlier in the parking lot of Town Hall. The rift between Chief Gilbert's supporters and numerous critics runs deep.  La Paz County Prosecutor Sam Vederman has repeatedly refused to insert his office into the political fray. Pending the results of the current AZCOPS/AZPOST investigation, many in the community are now hoping that the FBI and Justice Department will take a serious look into Quartzsite corruption. For more information, contact: Mayor Ed Foster (928) 750-8113 Michael Roth, La Paz County Republican Precinct Chairman (602) 791-5401 AZCOPS http://www.azcops.org/ 333 W Ft Lowell Rd Ste 211 Tucson AZ 85705 Office 520.622.2215 (24/7) Toll Free 888.622.2215 Fax 520.622.2216 AZPOST http://www.azpost.gov/index.htm 2643 E. University Drive Phoenix, AZ 85034 Voice: 602.223.2514 Fax: 602.244.0477 AACOP http://azchiefsofpolice.org/ 75 East Civic Center Drive Gilbert, Arizona 85296 Office - 480-635-7757 FAX - 480-635-7761 "Quartzsite Police Chief Gilbert assaults man for videotaping "           http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBwCW9gX2jg&feature=related "...Gilbert's warning to town council" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zHOlbYWHdo&feature=related "...Mayor and Publisher arrested" http://quartzsitearizona.blogspot.com/2011/05/politically-assisted-suicide-mayor-and.html Jennifer "Jade" Jones Publisher, The DESERT FREEDOM PRESS (928) 575-6594 News you can use for La Paz County, AZ! http://thedesertfreedompress.blogspot.com/

La Paz County Prosecutor Sam Vederman loses another...

Well, they say good help is hard to find. That's especially true if you are La Paz County Prosecutor Sam Vederman. This morning, at the pre trial conference for the Michael Roth "waste of tax dollars - round two", prosecutor Matt Elias announced his resignation from the La Paz County Prosecutor's office. 

It is unknown at this time if Sammy "the Bull-y" will personally see Roth's persecution, er, I mean prosecution for resisting Police Chief Gilbert's assault, er, I mean arrest through to a conclusion, or if Vederman will force yet another subordinate to do his dirty work.

Matt Elias' resignation follows those of Jessica Quickle and Tomas Jones. In a recent interview, Elias confided that he was "ordered" to take the Roth case and was not at all pleased at being the subject of Vederman's press release and subsequently,  the topic of lively internet discussion. 

Reportedly, Mike Roth shook hands with Matt Elias and wished him well. 

Sam Vederman drops Deena Blythe case!

Despite the four inch thick file La Paz County Prosecutor Sam Vederman would open up on the table at every court proceeding, he has suddenly dismissed all charges without prejudice (meaning they can be brought back up later), citing a lack of evidence to bring the Deena Blythe case to trial.

What has this lengthy investigation cost the taxpayers? Was Sam Vederman's intent to prosecute or persecute the disgraced local Town Council candidate? Is Sam Vederman so incompetent that he's not capable of arguing the case? After all, some lawyers are just glorified paper pushers that don't really like to litigate. Maybe he should have assigned the case to Thomas Jones and Jessica Quicle, the dynamic duo that secured a conviction against Quartzsite pedophile Richard Eugene Aaron in January of this year. (Prior to the debut of this blog.)

http://paloverdevalleytimes.com/Main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=12865

At Ms. Blythe's last court date, her attorney mentioned calling failed mayoral candidate Wes Huntley as a witness for the defense. What effect, if any did that make on the case? Inquiring minds want to know Sam!

Perhaps Vederman struck some back room deal to make this high profile problem disappear. What part did Sam Vederman's pal Police Chief Jeff Gilbert play in this soap opera? After all, if the hypothetical  "evidence" against Deena Blythe were to include any records of emails, phone calls, and/or text messages between Blythe and Chief Gilbert, this would be a very inconvenient time to have that laid out for public consumption on the court record.

How will this decision aid supporters of his recall? Who will eventually replace him? " Just in may of 2010 Sam Vederman, our elected County Attorney got yet ANOTHER traffic violation. Vederman doesn't know how to carry proper registration amongst other infractions. Please see Public Information J-1504-TR-201002648. If you would like to sign a petition for a recall of Sam Vederman please contact recallsamvederman@yahoo.com "

Hey Deena, we know you're reading, so would you care to comment? How about you Sam?

Sheriff Don Lowery to join Sam Vederman in La Paz County recall

http://www.parkerpioneer.net/articles/2010/08/04/news/parker03.txt

Text from the recall petition:

*Sheriff Lowery does not have the experience, management skills or budget preparation to carry out his position. *Lowery has shown unwillingness to work with the Board, County Manager and Finance Department. *Lowery appointed Under Sheriff Paterson, with compromised managerial skills, fiscal understanding or ability to communicate with key figures in county government.  Paterson has micro-managed personnel to the point that moral is at its lowest. *Lowery has shown an inability to make command decisions because of his lack of knowledge of the position and what it stands for.  Continuously “unavailable” for key decisions and issues needing to be resolved *Lowery moved or kept personnel in key positions that do not deserve or belong. *Lowery filed a frivolous law suit against the Board.  Paterson did not follow proper procedures in obtaining legal council resulting in unpaid attorney fees.  This is a flagrant misappropriation of funds and tax payers money.  Decisions to obtain legal counsel was pushed through by Paterson, but was ultimately Lowery’s decision. *Continuously allowing agency staff to drive county assigned vehicles to Havasu daily.  This is a flagrant violation of county policy and procedure and waste of taxpayers money. An interesteing comment thread can be found at: http://www.parkerliveonline.com/2010/08/16/sheriff-recall/