Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputy Under Investigation for Use of Force Incident

FLAGSTAFF – On March 13, 2024 Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Deputies were dispatched to the area of Silver Saddle Road in Doney Park for a report of trespass. Upon investigating the call, Deputies found probable cause to arrest three suspects for trespassing and other misdemeanor charges.

While one of the suspects was in handcuffs being escorted to a patrol vehicle a struggle ensued, and the suspect was able to briefly pull away from the arresting Deputy. The Deputy struck the handcuffed suspect two times in the face with their fist and control was re-established. The Sergeant on scene immediately intervened and the suspect was transported to the CCSO Detention Facility without further incident. The suspect in this case sustained minor injury during the altercation.

Due to the Deputy’s use of force on a handcuffed suspect, CCSO has requested the Flagstaff Police Department to conduct a criminal investigation into the actions of the Deputy. CCSO will simultaneously conduct an Administrative Investigation into the Deputy’s actions to determine if they were justified under CCSO Policies and Procedures. As per standard procedures, the Deputy has been placed on administrative leave pending the investigation.

CCSO holds the highest value on public trust and transparency. Every instance of force used by Deputies and Detention Officers is investigated thoroughly to ensure it coincides with state and federal law as well as the policies set forth by this department. When the investigation finds the Deputy or Detention Officer has violated either state or federal law or CCSO policies, they are held accountable in the justice system and according to CCSO Policies and Procedures.

This case remains under investigation.

Subject Arrested for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

DONEY PARK — On January 25, 2024, at approximately 7:20 am the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office served a search warrant in Pioneer Valley, a subdivision of Doney Park, for possession of underage pornography.

As a result of the investigation, Matthew Dillon, a 33-year-old male, was arrested for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor and booked into the Coconino County Detention Facility. He is being held on a $200,000 bond.

Additional charges are expected, pending further investigation. No further information is available at this time.

CCSO responds to Fatal Shooting in Doney Park

Doney Park — On January 18, 2024, at approximately 11:36 PM, Coconino County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a report of a shooting in Doney Park near Flagstaff.

Upon arrival Deputies encountered multiple subjects, two of whom sustained gunshots wounds. Deputies rendered emergency aid to one patient until medics were cleared to enter the scene. The patient was transported to the Flagstaff Medical Center for further treatment and later released. The second patient was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Initial investigation indicates there was a small get together on Thursday night January 18th at a residence on N. Bryant in Doney Park. During the party, an argument ensued between two of the people in attendance.

One of the people was asked to leave the property. This person complied with the request and left the property. This person went back to his residence, which was next door, and later returned to the residence where the party was with a handgun. He entered the front door and shot one person with the handgun inside the house. Two other people retreated to a bedroom to try and escape the shooter.

The shooter followed both subjects into the bedroom, where a struggle for the firearm ensued. During the struggle, one of the subjects was able to take possession of the gun from the shooter. The initial shooter was fatally shot during the struggle and was later pronounced deceased on scene. The deceased person was later identified as David Navela.

The initial person who was shot was transported by Guardian Medical Transport to the Flagstaff Medical Center. He was treated and released later that evening.

It is the Sheriff’s Office practice to not release names of victims in cases. The Investigation is ongoing and no further information is available at this time. If anyone has any information reference this incident, you are asked to contact the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office at (928) 774 – 4523.

Investigation of Homicide in Doney Park

FLAGSTAFF – Sheriff’s deputies respond to a domestic violence call at about 7 a.m. yesterday. A reporting party notified the Sheriff’s department that a male fled the scene.

The deputies found 35-year-old Crystal L. Morgan of Doney Park on the scene with several stab wounds. Medical assistance was summoned and she was pronounced dead on the scene.

Deputies sought 38-year-old Timothy M. Duran, Morgan’s ex-husband. The Sheriff’s department received information that the vehicle of the suspect was headed southbound on I-17. The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office and Arizona Department of Public Safety assisted Coconino in stopping the vehicle on the I-17 at about 9:30.

Duran was booked into into the Coconino County Detention Facility on charges of First-Degree Homicide and Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon.

Crystal Morgan was transported to the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office which will conduct an autopsy and further investigation to determine cause of death. The investigation is on-going.

911 Call Reporting a “Home Invasion” in Doney Park was not Random Act

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a vehicle crash and an altercation at a home in Doney Park that appear to be related. At least two but possibly several individuals were involved in the events that occurred in the area of Slayton Ranch Road last night.

It is confirmed that a gun was fired inside the home, but there are no indications that anyone was injured by gunshot. One person was treated and released from Flagstaff Medical Center for non-life threatening injuries sustained during the altercation. From initial investigations, it appears the assailant(s) and victim(s) know each other.

The call originally came into the Sheriff’s as two separate 911 calls that appear related. At approximately 9:30 pm on August 29, the Sheriff’s Office received a report of a truck that crashed on Slayton Ranch Rd. A few minutes later, the Sheriff’s Office received a report of a home invasion and assault at a nearby residence. DPS Ranger out of Flagstaff also responded to assist in locating suspect.

Initial investigations confirm this was not a random act home invasion. We do not have reason to believe there is an ongoing threat to residents in the area, but as always citizens are asked to be aware of their surroundings and report anything suspicious.

Detectives currently are working to determine all of the involved parties and interview them. The event is still under investigation.

Subject Mortally Wounded After Standoff with Law Enforcement

FLAGSTAFF — On Saturday, May 21 at approximately 12:07 am, an armed subject who had been in a standoff with law enforcement officers was shot and killed at a residence off of Lumberjack Boulevard in the Mountain View Ranchos/Doney Park area east of Flagstaff. The subject has been identified as 31-year-old Mark Nelson. The shooting is currently under investigation by a Northern Arizona multi-agency officer involved shooting team.

The emergency call came in on Friday, May 20 at 9:51 pm when 911 Dispatch received a call from Crisis Hotline about an armed suicidal man. The caller into the Hot Line was the subject’s mother. She reported that her son was behind the house near the garage area.

As deputies were dispatched to the scene, reports came in that shots had been fired from the area where the subject was believed to be. As the incident developed, four Coconino County Sheriff Deputies were assisted by four Flagstaff Police Officers, and two Arizona Department of Public Safety Troopers in establishing a perimeter to ensure safety of the neighborhood. Guardian Medical and Summit Fire also had been staged nearby.

Upon arrival, the officers made visual and verbal contact with Mr. Nelson and tried to convince him to surrender his weapon as well as offer him help. Around 11:28 pm, the subject drove his truck from the backyard/garage area to the front of the house. He exited his truck with a high powered rifle.

After several more minutes of trying to dialogue with Mr. Nelson offering to get him assistance and telling him to put down his weapon, Mr. Nelson put the gun into his mouth. He then took it out of his mouth and leveled it at officers. At that time shots were fired by deputies at Mr. Nelson. Medical personnel rendered first aid. Mark Nelson was transported to Flagstaff Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.

This officer involved shooting is currently under investigation. Additional information will be made available as the investigation moves forward.

Person Arrested in Home Invasion

FLAGSTAFF/DONEY PARK — On Monday, March 28, 2016 at about 4:49 pm an adult female who resides at a residence located on Winchester Drive in Doney Park reported a suspicious person. According to the caller a male approached her in her garage saying he needed help. He told her that people were after him and then he ran away from the property. Due to his physical appearance and his actions the believed the subject was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

At about 4:52 pm a second adult female who lives in the same area as the first caller reported someone was trying to break through the backdoor of her home. She observed the subject at the back door hitting the door and yelling “people were trying to get him”. She said the subject went to another backdoor, she then locked herself in her bedroom and called 911.

The subject broke through the second door entering the home yelling “people are after me”, he then grabbed a kitchen knife and exited the front door.

The second caller’s husband, returned home and parked his vehicle in the driveway, when the subject exited the home and approached him. According to the victim’s husband the subject held a knife walking toward him saying “people are after me”. He said the subject appeared to be paranoid as he was continuously looking over his shoulder. As the husband stepped out of his vehicle the suspect who was approximately 15 feet away from him dropped the knife. The suspect then crouched in front of the vehicle in an attempt to conceal himself. The husband stepped on the knife and Arizona Department of Public Safety Officer arrived and arrested the suspect.

The subject was identified as 18 year old Sanjahsee Begay and was transported to the Coconino County Detention Facility where he was incarcerated on one count of First Degree Trespass (Felony), one count of Felony Criminal Damage, one count of Second Degree Burglary (Felony), and one count of Disorderly Conduct (Misdemeanor).

Doney Park Neighborhood Watch Meeting Thursday

FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Jim Driscoll and District 4 Supervisor Mandy Metzger would like to invite residents of the Doney Park community to attend the monthly Neighborhood Watch meeting on Thursday, March 3, 2016. The meeting will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Summit Fire District Station 32 and Administrative Offices located at 8905 Koch Field Road Flagstaff, AZ.

Supervisor Mandy Metzger will be available to answer questions and provide support to this partnership between law abiding citizens, law enforcement and county government.

Janet Dean who is the Community Affairs Manager for Arizona Public Service (APS) will present an update of APS Operations in Northern Arizona and will be available to answer any questions.

For more information about the Neighborhood Watch program and the meeting schedule, please call the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office at (928) 226-5089.

Doney Park Neighborhood Watch Meeting

FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Jim Driscoll and District 4 Supervisor Mandy Metzger would like to invite residents of the Doney Park community to attend the monthly Neighborhood Watch meeting on Thursday, December 3, 2015. Due to a scheduling conflict this meeting will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at a different location which is Summit Fire District Station 31 located at 6425 N. Cosnino Road at the intersection of Townsend Winona and Cosnino.

Chief Deputy Jim Driscoll and Supervisor Mandy Metzger will be available to answer questions and provide support to this partnership between law abiding citizens, law enforcement and county government.

This meeting will serve as our holiday celebration and all residents of the Doney Park Community are invited to participate. Please bring a side dish, a salad or a desert.

This meeting will give us an opportunity to socialize with one another and enjoy each other’s company and celebrate a year’s worth of Neighborhood Watch successes. Our distinguished guest of honor will be retiring Summit Fire Chief Don Howard who has served the community as Fire Chief for 38 years. Please join us in thanking Chief Howard for a job well done.

Neighborhood Watch is similar to the Block Watch program commonly conducted in urban areas and goes back to the concept of “neighbors looking out for neighbors” that many people remember from 30 years ago. It is one of the most effective ways to prevent and deter criminal activity, attend to home and personal security, address the safety of our children and the elderly, and to alleviate fear and isolation. Residents learn how to observe and report suspicious activity and reduce the risk of becoming a victim of crime.

For more information about the Neighborhood Watch program and the meeting schedule, please call the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office at (928) 226-5089.

Two Male Juveniles Arrested for Doney Park Burglaries

Coconino Sheriff’s Deputies and Detectives are investigating two residential burglaries that occurred in the Doney Park Community. The first burglary occurred between the dates of July 4th, and 5th 2015 at a residence located on Rojo; the other one occurred sometime before July 2nd at a residence located on Marilee Lane. Investigators had no substantial information that would lead to the identity and possible arrest of a suspect or suspects.

On July 20, 2015 detectives were contacted by the parents of two teenage boys who also reside in the Doney Park Community. According to the concerned parents their sons were in the possession of a large amount of expensive items that did not belong to either of the boys or their parents.

With the parents’ permission Investigators contacted and interviewed both of the suspects. During the interview both boys made statements implicating themselves in the crimes. With the parents’ cooperation and assistance Investigators recovered numerous items that did not belong to either of the two suspects. Many of the items recovered were positively identified as being taken during the two previously described residential burglaries. Some of the recovered items are listed below.

· Seven firearms
· Laptop Computer
· Play Station with games
· Twenty-seven tactical or combat type long knives
· Three ammo boxes containing as many as a thousand rounds of ammunition

Both Juveniles were charged with 2 counts each of Residential Burglary and 2 counts each of Felony Theft and were booked into the Coconino County Juvenile Detention Facility. One of the two Juveniles was also charged with 1 count of Trafficking Stolen Property.

Investigators also recovered several items that did not belong to the Juveniles. However, there are no reports listing them as being taken in a burglary. One of these items is a large car speaker that is approximately 3’ in length and 1’ wide. The speaker was allegedly taken from a ministorage locker located in the Doney Park area.

Community members who are victims of burglaries or any other crimes and who live in rural unincorporated areas of the county are urged to report these crimes to the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office. Remember our investigators can’t recover your property if they don’t know its missing.