Barricaded Subject in Kachina Village not found in residence.

FLAGSTAFF – On January 23, 2020 around 5:20 pm, after continued efforts by negotiators to contact the suspect Jason Gonnie with negative results, the Tactical Team was deployed and made entry into the residence off Chof Trail where Gonnie was last seen.

The entire multilevel residence was cleared and searched by the Tactical Team with the assistance of a canine and robot. Gonnie was not in the residence.

Detectives found through investigating the incident that the suspect was familiar with the family and the residence. Gonnie is believed to have broken into the lower level of the residence and contacted the victim sometime Wednesday night.

Gonnie remained at the residence until Thursday morning at which
point, he presented a weapon and refused to allow the victim and children to leave the home. It was during this time Gonnie reportedly sexually assaulted the victim. Around 1:00 pm on Thursday the victim was able to escape the residence with her two children after Gonnie moved to another level of the residence, leaving her alone.

Efforts to locate Jason Gonnie are ongoing. Gonnie is considered a threat to the public and potentially armed. The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public to use caution if they come in to contact with Gonnie. If anyone is aware of Gonnie’s location or sees him, they are asked to immediately
call 911 or Silent Witness at 928-774-6111.

Barricaded Subject in Kachina Village

FLAGSTAFF – On January 23, 2020 since around 1:16 pm, Coconino County Sheriff’s Office has been working a barricaded subject accused of Sexual Assault in the area of Chof Trail in Kachina Village. On scene deputies are still trying to confirm if the suspect is in the residence.

Information obtained from the reporting party was the victim along with two other children had removed themselves from the house and made their way to the reporting party’s residence. The reporting party advised that the suspect was the only one in the residence.

After arriving on scene, deputies confirmed the safety of the victim and children who had been in residence. Deputies set up a perimeter around the residence in which the suspect was last seen. At this time no contact has been made with the suspect. The Sheriff’s Office is continuing to attempt to contact the suspect through phone and loudspeaker. The suspect has been identified as Jason Gonnie an 18-year-old Native American male, 5 foot 9 inches tall, slim build, black hair and black eyes.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopter has been deployed along with the Northern Arizona Regional Tactical Team. Efforts are ongoing to confirm Gonnie is still in the residence. Due to the ongoing investigations, no further details are available at this time. More information will be made available as the investigation progresses.

Pop-Up Art Show Featuring Drawings and Sketches by Inmates of the Coconino County Jail

FLAGSTAFF – Artistic drawings and sketches created by individuals while they were in-custody at the Coconino County Jail will be on display at the Exodus Pop-Up Art Show at the Coconino Center for the Arts, located at 2300 N Fort Valley Rd, Flagstaff, Arizona. The opening reception will be Friday, January 24 from 6 – 8 pm with an entrance fee of $5 at the door. The art can also be viewed Saturday, January 25 and Sunday January 26 from 11 am – 5 pm.

This is the second official Exodus Art Show highlighting artistic pieces from individuals who participated in the Exodus program at the Coconino County Jail. The first show was held in 2016 at a Firecreek Coffee and recently pieces of inmate art also were displayed at the Art in Action exhibit at the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany.

The Coconino County Detention Facility Exodus program is an in-custody substance abuse treatment program for men and women detained at the jail. The Exodus Program incorporates parenting classes, health education, creative writing, expressive art classes, stress management training and other life skills lessons that are provided by staff and outside agencies.

Goals of the Exodus Program include:

  • Reduce the impact substance abuse has on our community.
  • Provide therapeutic and educational services to assist addicted inmates in making the decision to avoid future alcohol or drug consumption.
  • Enhance inmates’ ability to make positive changes in their lives.
  • Strengthen families, reduce recidivism and provide a proactive response to alcohol and substance abuse related crimes.

Many of the inmates housed in our facility have much to give and share with the community, and art can be part of the recovery and re-entry process. The Sheriff’s Office hopes this art display will enlighten community members as to the talent and abilities of many of our inmates, as well as the positive impact of the Exodus program on the lives of people in our community.

County offices closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day

FLAGSTAFF — All Coconino County administrative offices will be closed Monday, January 20 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

While the administrative offices at the Sheriff’s Office will be closed, Dispatch, Patrol and Detention will be open. Records will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday January 20 with limited staffing. Please dial 9-1-1 for emergencies. For non-emergencies, dial 928-774-4523 to connect with the non-emergency Dispatch number or to leave a message for one of the administrative offices.

In the event of a snow storm or other impactful weather during the holiday, County Public Works crews will be deployed to keep County roadways open and passable.

Coconino County’s parks and natural areas will remain open during the holiday, but administrative offices at Fort Tuthill will be closed and limited staff or services will be available. The Fort Tuthill Bike Park is currently closed. Please do not sled on the Fort Tuthill Bike Park or you will damage the features which were built specifically for cyclists to hone their skills on jumps and flow trails. Drinking water is available at Fort Tuthill County Park and Louise Yellowman County Park (located near Tuba City), and bathrooms are still available at Raymond, Peaks View and Sawmill County Parks. Water has been turned off at all park ramadas.

Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) Animal Management will have an officer available from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday, January 20. Contact the CCHHS Animal Management office at 928-679-8756 and leave a message and an officer will respond. Call 9-1-1 for emergencies.

Arrest made in in Cosnino neighborhood death

Casey Dark – CCSO booking photo

FLAGSTAFF – Detectives with the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office continue to investigate the death of 45 year old Cosnino resident, Joshua Dark that occurred on December 26.

Immediately after the incident, Detectives served a search warrant on the residence where the incident occurred and interviewed Joshua’s wife regarding the shooting. Detectives have since interviewed several other witnesses as well.

Detectives presented the case to a Coconino County Grand Jury. The Grand Jury found probable cause to charge the suspect, Dark’s wife, 26 year old Casey Dark with 2nd Degree Murder. An arrest warrant was issued and on January 9, 2020 Casey was arrested without incident and booked into the Coconino County Jail for one count of 2nd Degree Murder. The United States Marshall’s Office assisted in locating and arresting Dark.

New Year’s Eve – Route 66 DUI Task Force

Northern AZ Law Enforcement Agencies wish everyone a happy and safe Holiday Season. We want to remind you, as always our Officers, Deputies and Troopers will be patrolling 24 hours a day 7 days a week to keep our communities safe.

As New Year’s approaches, we know there will be many parties and festivities. We will have increased enforcement patrols during this busy time of the year. In addition, Law Enforcement in Northern Arizona will conduct a multi-agency DUI Task Force on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, Flagstaff Police Department, AZ Department of Public Safety and Northern Arizona University Police will be participating. We will be posting several DUI trailers throughout the area where officers can take possible violators to gather samples of breath and blood draws if driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is suspected.

It is our hope that by publicizing this task force and advising the public of this event, people will be encouraged to not drive while under the influence. A taxi, Uber, LYFT, Shuttle or Designated Driver is a much cheaper and safer option than taking a chance of driving while intoxicated. In addition, NAIPTA will be offering free bus service on New Year’s Eve until 1:15 am.

Don’t take a chance of ruining your life or the life of someone else by driving intoxicated or recklessly. Being arrested for DUI is very a costly life event. If you are arrested and convicted of DUI, you can face a low-end cost of around $5000. That does not include missed time at work or with family. DUI results in mandatory jail time if convicted, with a minimum of one night in jail, and incarceration increases with severity of the crime.

Please take this time to prepare for your travel and other festivities. Help us keep everyone safe on the roads this New Year’s Eve.

Business Plan Development Training begins open enrollment

FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) Basic Business Empowerment (BBE) is accepting applications for the next Basic Business Empowerment Business Plan Development Training. Training will start on Tuesday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m., January 14 to March 31 at the Health and Human Services Building, 2625 N. King St., Flagstaff.

The CCHHS BBE Business Plan Development Training has assisted people in starting or expanding a small business since 2007.

BBE participants will learn to:

  • Create a business feasibility plan
  • Clearly define product or service
  • Analyze market and competitors
  • Project cash flow and profit
  • Plan and more

Participants may also be eligible for Individual Development Accounts (IDA) match saving grants. An IDA is a special bank account to save earned income for small business start-up and/or expansion available to income and asset eligible candidates. Every dollar saved, up to $2,000, will be matched with two dollars, up to $4,000, for approved business asset purchases.

The cost for the 12-week BBE training is $125.00 with need-based 50% scholarships available for income qualifiers. For more information or to enroll, call 928-679-7453, or visit www.coconino.az.gov/bbe.

Two Suspects in Custody on Williams Area Burglaries

WILLIAMS – On December 6, 2019 detectives with the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office executed two search warrants in the Williams District of Coconino County and within the City of Williams. These search warrants stemmed from several burglaries that had been reported in the Red Lake and Valle neighborhoods north of Williams between May and November of 2019. During the investigation, Detectives were able to identify suspects in the case. During the execution of the search warrants, several items were located and recovered that had been reported stolen from the burglaries.

Christopher Tow, age 27 of Williams and Clyde Dunwoody, age 36 of Red Lake were arrested and booked into the Coconino County Jail for 2nd Degree Burglary, Theft, Trafficking in Stolen Property, and 1st Degree Criminal Trespass. The case remains active and under investigation, which may result in additional charges.

The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Williams Police Department with their assistance in this case.

Mogollon Rim District reopening forest roads today

CLINTS WELL — Forest Service personnel are in the process of reopening all forest roads on the Mogollon Rim Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest today in effort to allow access to hunt units now that the recent snow storm has passed.

Forest roads on the Flagstaff Ranger District along U.S. Highway 180 corridor north of Forest Road 222 and south of FR 151 remain closed. Forest Road 420 (Schultz Pass Road) will be closed where it intersects with FR 552, all the way to the west side near the intersection of Mt. Elden Lookout Road. Forest Road 556 and FR 522 will also be closed.

Many roads on the Flagstaff Ranger District south of Flagstaff remain open, but the public should use caution if driving on those forest roads, as vehicles often get stuck and stranded.

Hunters and visitors are reminded that seasonal road closures on northern Arizona national forests typically occur when sustained inclement weather is forecast, so visitors should be aware and plan accordingly. These road closures prevent road damage, soil erosion and visitors from getting stuck.

Winter Storm warning issued for weather through Saturday

WILLIAMS — NOAA has issued a weather storm warning through November 30 and a wind advisory for November 27. Heavy snow above 4500-feet through Saturday will make holiday travel difficult and possibly dangerous. Localized amounts up to 40 inches over the highest peaks are possible.

The main brunt of the storm is expected to hit Thanksgiving Day leaving a possible 21-inches overnight in Williams. Friday there is a possibility of an additonal 8-inches of snow. There is a slight chance of snow Saturday morning. Weather is expected to clear starting Saturday after 11 a.m.

Snow forecast from 6 AM Thursday to midnight Saturday:

Chino Valley 4 to 6 inches
Doney Park 13 to 19 inches
Flagstaff 21 to 27 inches
Forest Lakes 28 to 36 inches
Fredonia 4 to 6 inches
Grand Canyon 14 to 20 inches
Heber-Overgaard 9 to 15 inches
Jacob Lake 15 to 21 inches
North Rim 22 to 30 inches
Prescott 8 to 12 inches
Prescott Valley 4 to 8 inches
Sedona 4 to 6 inches
Seligman 5 to 9 inches
Valle 9 to 13 inches
Williams 20 to 26 inches