TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — Arizona’s Attorney General will investigate the Pima County Sheriff’s Department over how it handled sexual assault charges leveled against one of its deputies.
The office of Attorney General Kris Mayes accepted a request by three Pima County Supervisors—Matt Heinz of District 2, Steve Christy (District 4) and Sharon Bronson (District 3)—to look into the case. The vote came before the Pima County Board back in September.
The Deputy's Organization claims senior deputies, including a Lieutenant, failed to intervene for more than 80 minutes while the victim was allegedly being sexually assaulted by her superior, Sergeant Ricardo Garcia, during a private party at a home in December 2022.
Sheriff Chris Nanos has said his office will defer its own internal affairs investigation for now in order to avoid affecting the criminal case against Garcia.
Garcia’s trial is set for April 24 in Pima Superior Court.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
- PCSD sergeant fired after sexual assault investigation
- Deputy organization requests Nanos open internal investigation into sexual assault of deputy
- State-level investigators to look into Pima County Sheriff's Department following sexual assault
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Craig Smith is a reporter for KGUN 9. With more than 40 years of reporting in cities like Tampa, Houston and Austin, Craig has covered more than 40 Space Shuttle launches and covered historic hurricanes like Katrina, Ivan, Andrew and Hugo. Share your story ideas and important issues with Craig by emailing craig.smith@kgun9.com or by connecting on Facebook and Twitter.
