Featured Cases
Brian Hounshell
Brian Hounshell R in 2024 was employed at Apache County and had an annual salary of $133,067, according to public records. This salary was 237 percent higher than the average and 237 percent higher than the median salary in Apache County. A sheriff whose term in office has divided the communities of Apache County in Northeastern Arizona is scheduled to appear in court today to enter pleas on 11 felony charges that he used public money and vehicles for personal reasons.
Sheriff Brian Hounshell, 41, was indicted by a state grand jury July 2 on charges of conspiracy, misuse of public funds, fraud and theft. he charges stem from an investigation that began late last summer into allegations that Hounshell misappropriated more than $8,000 in public monies and equipment for his own personal use or benefit, sometime between 2000 and 2004. While no officers in Hounshell's department have spoken publicly on the matter, speculation has been that one or more officers have spoken to the Attorney General's office.Brian Hounshell pleaded guilty to a charge of soliciting the misuse of public funds and 10 other public corruption charges were dropped. He was placed on three years probation and ordered to pay $15,000 in restitution and perform 1,000 hours community service.
He was hired this week by Apache County Attorney Michael Whiting, who told the Arizona Republic that he was the best man for the job.
Whiting also has hired former deputy Hugh Lynch, who was convicted of perjury in the same case. His wife is the current Clerk of Court in St. Johns Apache County Courthouse.
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Michael Whiting
Michael Whiting, the former Apache County Attorney in Arizona, was removed from office in late 2024 following a series of legal and ethical controversies. He was indicted by a state grand jury on multiple charges, including misuse of public funds, harassment, and intimidation of a political opponent. Whiting agreed to an interim suspension of his law license, effectively barring him from practicing law while the criminal case proceeds. Despite being legally disqualified, he won reelection in November 2024, prompting further legal scrutiny. The Arizona Attorney General’s office has since taken control of the Apache County Attorney’s office, and Whiting’s case remains unresolved in court.
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Joy Whiting
Joyclynn “Joy” Whiting, the elected School Superintendent of Apache County, Arizona, was indicted in August 2024 alongside her husband, County Attorney Michael Whiting, in a public corruption case. According to the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, Joy Whiting allegedly used school district funds to purchase an $80,000 Ford Expedition, which was later reassigned to the County Attorney’s Office and primarily used by her husband. She faces felony charges for misuse of public money and conflict of interest. Both Joy and Michael Whiting pleaded not guilty and were released without bail. The case remains ongoing in Arizona courts.
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Darryl Greer
Darryl Greer, who served as an aide and lead investigator for Apache County Attorney Michael Whiting, was indicted in August 2024 alongside Whiting and his wife, Joy Whiting, in a public corruption investigation led by the Arizona Attorney General’s Office. Greer was accused of participating in schemes involving the misuse of public funds and conflicts of interest. The indictment alleged that Greer helped facilitate or conceal improper expenditures, including the purchase of a government vehicle and campaign-related spending. He pleaded not guilty to all charges and was released without bail, pending further legal proceedings
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Elizabeth Gutfahr
Elizabeth Gutfahr, who served as Santa Cruz County Treasurer from 2012 to 2024, pleaded guilty to embezzlement, money laundering, and tax evasion after federal investigators uncovered a decade-long scheme in which she stole over $38 million in taxpayer funds. She created fake companies, funneled county money into them, and used the funds for personal purchases including real estate and vehicles. In June 2025, she was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison and ordered to pay approximately $51.8 million in restitution to Santa Cruz County and the U.S. Treasury.
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Round Valley Police Department
In August 2025, the towns of Springerville and Eagar requested a formal investigation into the Round Valley Police Department following multiple allegations of officer misconduct. The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS), along with the Apache County Attorney’s Office, launched a review of the department’s policies, procedures, and personnel. Town officials also asked DPS to appoint an interim police chief, which was granted. The investigation includes potential Brady List implications, which could affect the credibility of officers in court proceedings. Despite the completion of the DPS investigation, Springerville officials have refused to release the findings publicly
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Judge Butch Gunnels of the Round Valley Justice Court in Apache County
Judge Butch Gunnels of the Round Valley Justice Court is facing serious allegations in a federal lawsuit filed by Joseph Lathus, a disabled father of five and cancer survivor. The case, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona (Case No. CV-24-08233), alleges retaliation, denial of ADA accommodations, and constitutional violations under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.
According to the complaint, Judge Gunnels refused to provide Lathus with legal counsel despite his disability, ignored medical documentation and ADA accommodation requests, and issued a contempt charge accusing Lathus of lying about his condition. The lawsuit claims this was retaliation for Lathus’s prior legal actions against the court and county officials.
These allegations raise urgent questions about fairness, disability rights, and accountability in Arizona’s rural courts. No judge should retaliate against citizens for asserting their rights or seeking justice.
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Charges Dismissed in Case Against Former OCCAC Official
In 2025, charges were dismissed against a former official of the Old Concho Community Assistance Center (OCCAC), a nonprofit organization serving Apache County, Arizona. The case had involved allegations of financial misconduct and improper use of public resources. According to court filings, the charges were dropped due to insufficient evidence or procedural issues. No further indictments have been announced, and the individual is no longer affiliated with OCCAC. The dismissal has raised questions about oversight and accountability in local nonprofit operations.
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Dismissed Cases:
Ferrin Crosby
In July 2025, Ferrin Crosby stepped down from his role as Apache County Engineer. His resignation came just before a scheduled disciplinary hearing by the Board of Supervisors, which was removed from the agenda following his departure. Crosby had been named in federal lawsuits alleging collusion and submission of fraudulent documents in legal actions against property owner Joseph Lathus. While no formal charges have been filed against Crosby, his resignation has intensified public concern over systemic misconduct within Apache County’s government.
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Apache County Emergency Response Failures : response to Arizona girl's murder
This report documents the 911 calls and police response surrounding the murder of an Arizona girl, raising urgent questions about emergency response protocols, accountability, and systemic failures. Records indicate the child was a victim of both physical and sexual abuse, intensifying the need for transparent investigation and oversight in Apache County.
Related video coverage
- Title: 911 calls released in Arizona girl’s death show lack of urgency
- Publisher: Arizona’s Family (3TV / CBS 5)
- Link:
Watch on YouTube
Why this matters
- Emergency response scrutiny: Highlights whether 911 call handling and dispatch decisions met policy and best practices.
- Transparency and oversight: Underscores the need for clear timelines, public reporting, and independent review when children are involved.
- Child abuse context: The reported physical and sexual abuse demands rigorous investigation and accountability.
- Systemic context: Connects to broader patterns of institutional failure we track across Arizona courts, law enforcement, and prosecutorial offices.
Key questions for officials
- Policy compliance: Did responders follow established protocols for high-risk calls and rapid deployment?
- Timeline integrity: Are call timestamps, dispatch logs, and on-scene actions consistent and publicly accessible?
- Accountability: What corrective actions and audits are being taken to prevent recurrence?
This case is included to document urgent public safety concerns and to support calls for independent oversight where response failures intersect with prosecutorial and judicial decision-making in Apache County.
📝 Community Editorial: Allegations Against Apache County Sheriff’s Office
This section features a community blog post published on Medium by user Safeth, which outlines allegations of negligence and corruption involving the Apache County Sheriff’s Office. The article focuses on the department’s handling of property enforcement along North Roads and claims of selective enforcement and retaliation.
The author alleges that the Sheriff’s Office failed to investigate complaints fairly and may have colluded with other county officials to suppress certain residents’ rights. These claims are tied to broader federal lawsuits involving ADA violations and civil rights issues. The blog also references public salary records and county meeting minutes to support its narrative.
Important Note: This article is an opinion-based editorial and reflects the personal views of the author. It is not a verified news source and should be cited as a community perspective, not as established fact.