Girlfriend changes beating story

FLORENCE - The alleged victim of a domestic violence incident said Friday in Pinal County Superior Court she made some "false statements" to police before the arrest of her boyfriend.

Keshawn L. Willis, 24, was arrested March 22 after the Casa Grande Police Department responded to calls of domestic violence.

According to a probable-cause statement, Willis reportedly got into an argument with his girlfriend, who was eight months pregnant at the time, and allegedly choked and beat her.

The statement goes on to state that Willis picked up a wooden cross and used it to hit his girlfriend's stomach. She claims he told her that "he should have done this months ago."

Willis is accused of then hitting her in the face and again on the stomach. The girlfriend claims Willis threatened to get a knife and use it to kill her.

Willis told police he did not hit or threaten his girlfriend, according to police reports.

The girlfriend told PinalCentral last week she was instructed not to discuss the case with anybody while it is litigated in court.

But on Friday, the victim told Judge Lawrence Wharton she had changed parts of her story to police and asked that Willis be released in time for the birth of their child.

On March 28, a Pinal County grand jury indicted Willis for aggravated assault, a Class 4 felony, and two counts of assault, a Class 1 misdemeanor. He pleaded not guilty to the charges during his arraignment Friday.

Shortly after Willis was indicted, his girlfriend contacted CGPD and said she lied about the defendant having choked her, police reports show. But she maintained Willis had hit her repeatedly with the cross.

She told police she lied because she was "very angry at (Willis) and wanted him to get help."

Willis remains in the custody of the Pinal County jail on $200,000 bond. Willis has previously been charged with multiple drug offenses in Pinal County.

His attorney will have the opportunity to file a motion requesting that his release conditions be modified. CGPD informed prosecutors about the victim's revised statements, which could alter the defendant's charges.

GRIC member to serve 25 years for shooting 2

SACATON - A 28-year-old member of the Gila River Indian Community was sentenced Friday to 25 years in prison for a shooting last year that left two people dead on the reservation.

Philip Anthony Osife pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in December for shooting 30-year-old Brian G. Manuel twice in the face on March 23, 2017.

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Osife was indicted for the first-degree murders of Manuel and Brianna I. Pasqual, but federal prosecutors agreed to drop one of the murder charges in his plea agreement.

Court documents identify Manuel as the defendant's cousin and Pasqual as Manuel's girlfriend.

According to a document filed by Osife's attorney, the defendant turned himself in to authorities shortly after shootings.

He had reportedly been traveling, partying and drinking with the victims for several days. While he was sitting in a car with the two victims, Pasqual allegedly pointed a gun at Osife. The defendant then grabbed the firearm and shot her in the neck.

He then shot Manuel after the other victim tried to stab the defendant. Osife tried to escape Manuel by exiting the vehicle, court documents show, but Manuel allegedly chased after him and attacked him with a metal T-post.

During this altercation, Osife claims Manuel told him, "I'm killing you. That's why I brought you out here."

Osife shot Manuel again in the face, killing him. His attorney claims he shot Manuel to "protect himself." The defendant then fled in a car belonging to one of the victims and discarded his bloody clothes in a trash container. The bodies were discovered near a canal by a passing motorist two days later.

Osife was sentenced to 25 years in the U.S. Bureau of Prisons, followed by five years of supervised release.

PCSO makes 16 arrests at Country Thunder

FLORENCE - The Pinal County Sheriff's Office made 16 arrests at this year's Country Thunder, while patrol officers took in a few dozen drivers.

According to a PCSO press release, deputies responded to 227 calls within the concert and campground areas in Florence, a significant increase from the 161 calls made during the 2017 festival. This led to 16 arrests with 18 charges filed.

The most common charge made by Pinal County was for disorderly conduct, with seven, followed by four assaults, two warrants and then one each of narcotics possession, criminal damage, resisting arrest, misconduct involving weapons, hit-and-run with injury, and liquor violations.

PCSO was contracted by Country Thunder to provide 24-hour law enforcement support in both the concert area and the campgrounds.

Sara Henderson, a volunteer medic from the city of Maricopa's Community Emergency Response Team that was present at Country Thunder, previously told PinalCentral that this year's festival was "rowdier" than the previous one.

"It's the same number of people," Henderson said. "It's just a rowdier group this year. Last year was a pretty mellow crowd."

PCSO was also very active patrolling the roads that ran outside Country Thunder. Deputies made 481 traffic stops during the four-day festival, leading to 38 arrests and citations.

There were nine misdemeanor DUIs, two extreme DUIs, two drug DUIs, one aggravated DUI, one DUI under 21 and one minor consumption. There were also five civil speed tickets, three other citations and 14 other arrests.

"We believe that our partnerships with our local, state and federal partners, as well as our long-time working relationship with Country Thunder, made for a safe and fun event for everyone," said Sheriff Mark Lamb. "I want to thank all our PCSO staff who worked around the clock to make this possible. We also want to thank Country Thunder for their continued partnership."

Posted threat against ?CHS' not in Combs

SAN TAN VALLEY - A Snapchat threat last week against a New Mexico school prompted fears that Combs High School in Pinal County was being targeted.

The Pinal County Sheriff's Office said the threat made Thursday was directed at Clovis High School in New Mexico, and there was no threat against Combs. The threat was directed at "CHS" and caused concern nationwide where there were high schools with the same initials.

PCSO didn't report any concerns at Coolidge High School from the same threat.

The original threat made in a Snapchat post showed a person holding a rifle with a caption referring to CHS (Clovis High School) and "going out with a bang." Law enforcement in New Mexico was tipped off to the post and arrested a teenage boy Thursday.

Despite the arrest, the post continued to make rounds online.

The Washington Post reported Monday that law enforcement in Maryland investigated over the weekend amid fears it was aimed at Chopticon High School in the southern part of the state.

In Florida, students and parents worried Cocoa High School was in danger, according to a central Florida paper.

The threat popped up in South Carolina, Texas, Georgia and Idaho. In Tennessee, a school called in extra security before it was confirmed the "CHS" threat was indeed the Clovis threat.

This was the second time a threat made elsewhere in the country caused alarm in Pinal County. In February, Casa Grande Union High School closed early after rumors of a perceived shooting threat on social media spread around campus. However, it was determined that the person making the threat intended it for another "Union" school, possibly in Oklahoma.

I-10 delays expected near Jimmie Kerr Blvd.

CASA GRANDE - The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers to expect intermittent single-lane closures on east-and westbound Interstate 10 near Casa Grande (milepost 196-200) Tuesday and Wednesday.

Crews are scheduled to work at the Jimmie Kerr Boulevard overpass between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. both dates as part of the I-10 widening project between Interstate 8 and Earley Road. I-10 will be reduced to a single lane intermittently in each direction while work is underway.

Delays are possible, so officials advise motorists to allow extra travel time.