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Yavapai County Corruption Alleged

scales of justice courtSedona AZ (June 8, 2015) The following is a letter to the SedonaEye.com editor as received with only the writer’s street address, telephone numbers, and email address removed from the attached Department of Justice letter:

To whom it may concern:

I have recently become a resident of your beautiful community.  Yavapai county is a beautiful place to live.  However, the corruption and oppression that takes place behind close doors is horrific.  I believe that an outcry for the public’s awareness is necessary.

Arizona was found to be the most corrupt state in the United States according to a study by Harvard Law and published in the Wall Street Journal.

http://blogs.wsj.com/riskandcompliance/2014/12/04/study-names-arizona-as-most-corrupt-state/

Furthermore, Bill Williams of the Examiner did an excellent piece on the intrinsic relationships of the Yavapai Superior Court system in 2012.  Over the past three years I believe the corruption has gotten worse and not better. It will continue to worsen as it goes unaddressed.  The only people the system is truly hurting are the families and loved ones of those the Court system and legal system is taking advantage of.  The education level of those who are affected by those in power only amplifies the problem.

http://www.examiner.com/article/cronyism-nepotism-and-favoritism-a-small-town-courthouse

Yavapai county’s 98% conviction rate stems from the fact that all the rules are broken in order to secure that conviction.

Attached please find a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice which was also forwarded  to the Investigator General in Washington D.C.

You have to ask if those in power are trying to help or hurt.  I’ve come to the conclusion that those in power in Yavapai county are the worst kind of criminals there are.

Thank you for your time and investigation into the matter.

Sincerely,
Cheri Remmenga

(attachment)

Cheri Remmenga

(street address, telephone number, email address deleted by editor)

June 5, 2015

U.S. Department of Justice
Civil Rights Division
950 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W.
Office of the Assistant Attorney General, Main
Washington D.C. 20530

RE: YAVAPAI COUNTY CORRUPTION

Dear U.S. Department of Justice:

I’m writing to you concerning several Federal statute violations and state statute violations occurring in the county of Yavapai, Arizona. I am originally from Los Angeles, California and was arrested driving westbound on the I-40. I had never heard of the county prior to my incarceration on December 1, 2014. I was incarcerated at the Camp Verde Detention Center from December 1, 2015 to May 5, 2015. Lack of law resources may cause me to include practices wherein no actual violation of the law occurred. During the first 60 days, I witnessed or in some instances experienced the following:

  • Illegal search and seizure
  • Unreasonable seizure
  • Denial of preliminary hearing
  • Improper grand jury
  • Denial of legal research for inmates
  • Refusal of prescribed medicine for mentally ill
  • Mishandling of inmate trust funds
  • Improper use of Anti-Racketeering Fund
  • Improper use of Investigative Fund
  • Laws that are prejudicial on their face
  • Lack of check and balance system for law officials
  • Abuse of power and authority
  • Improper Handling of U.S. Legal Mail

Illegal practices that violate an individual’s constitutional rights are so commonly practiced that they are accepted as being normal and legal.

As with many of the cases here, my own case involves a search in violation of the Fourth Amendment. Chino Valley Police Department seized an estimated $11,000 worth of property on December 1, 2014. I have yet to receive a receipt or inventory of the property taken from me as required by ARS § 13-120 and ARS §§ 13-3919-21. Some property was taken to Chino Valley Police Department, some property was given to Prescott Valley PANT sub-station, and approximately $2000.00 of property was not accounted for. My attorney, Linda Moore, said the police can take everything whether it is relevant to the case or not. This would be an unreasonable seizure of property under the Fourth Amendment (also see US v. $12,248 U.S. Currency, the United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit 957 F.2d 1513, found, “It is impermissible for government to simply to hold property belonging to a United States citizen for extended period of time without reason while neither conducting investigation nor attempting to verify claimant’s story”). This is a common practice. They let a civilian take my vehicle according to Chino Valley Police report 14C-10240. In California a tow company is utilized to secure a vehicle. I will address the illegal search in court. Most people here seem to be ignorant of their rights, so the illegal searches go on unaddressed. (1)

Within 48 hours after being at the Camp Verde Detention Center, I was strip searched three times. On December 4, 2014, I was placed in a small room without a toilet, sink or running water for 7 hours. The detention officers claimed I couldn’t leave the room until I urinated in a cup. For failure to urinate for them, they put me in isolation for 34 days. I requested to speak with a sergeant but all I was told was that inmates have no procedural rights pursuant to Sandin v. Conner. You could not appeal their decisions. I was denied access or aloud to review the case they relied on. My request for access to legal books was denied several times.

Furthermore, an organization called PANT (Partners Against Narcotics Trafficking) is very influential, and they have a lot of power in Yavapai county. Their objective seems to be righteous in nature, but without any check and balance system for the agency, their practices can be considered corrupt. Arizona law allows them to seize property related to numerous crimes. When it is successfully forfeited, the seizing agency is the 100% beneficiary. They get to keep everything they take.

The more property they seize the fatter their pockets grow. There is no check & balance system to defend against a system set up for corruption. A claim is rarely submitted in time to save defendant’s property because they are denied access to legal research. Brand new E class Mercedes, businesses, and houses are commonly seized and forfeited before the person is ever found guilty. The money goes in the pocket of PANT usually the seizing agency or documents are falsified to say they are the seizing agency. The money is supposed to go into the county anti-racketeering fund and investigative fund and distributed pursuant to ARS §§13-4310 (g) and 13-4318. After speaking with several inmates and some PANT employees (also whom are inmates) I’ve learned how a large portion of that money is spent. They pay addicts to use drugs and bring them information. They place electronic surveillance devices on some of their informants. Their paid informants have most likely signed a contract with PANT. One rule for their informants is they can’t be on probation because they can’t use drugs. I don’t know if this is illegal or not. It seems unethical at the least and a misappropriation of the funds. While I was in isolation, a girl came to my door (she worked for PANT reporting directly to John Hannah (telephone number removed by editor) and offered $1,300.00 to me for information on the whereabouts of names to find informants that stopped reporting. The statute § 13-4318 was written so that the funds would be used for drug treatment and education or gang prevention. It was not written to direct the funds to support drug use by buying addicts their drugs. (2) I even have suspicion that crimes have been set up to gain $200,000.00 worth of property (see State v. Fritz matter).

I continued to observe major discrepancies in Yavapai County’s judicial procedure and California’s legal procedure. Most are due to each states individualized laws. However, due process is the bare minimum offered by the constitution which included a right to a preliminary hearing, but only two prelim hearings have ever occurred in the Prescott Justice Court. My preliminary hearing was January 14, 2015 at 4:00 pm. I never went and it never actually occurred. The prosecutor will take your case to a Grand Jury hours before the preliminary hearing. I’ve read several Grand Jury transcripts with the permission of the defendant’s. It appears that the Grand Jury consists of the Bailiff, the clerk of the court, and sometimes acquaintances of the officer testifying. This is far from impartial. The foremen changes every time within the same Grand Jury which violates the § 21-412. These are sealed proceedings, so no one would know the difference nor do any of the defendant’s actually read their Grand Jury transcript. Pursuant to Arizona Rules of Criminal Procedure, Rule 12.9, challenges to the transcript can be made 25 days after the proceeding, but the defendant doesn’t receive a copy of the transcript until 30 days after the proceedings. In addition, the jury always deliberates and returns a 12-0 or 16-0 true bill in less than three minutes even when there are ten felony counts to consider. (See Grand Jury No. 184-GJ-179662 also see State v. Remmenga’s 12.9 Motion to Challenge Grand Jury). (3)

After conversations with some of the inmates at Camp Verde Detention Center, I was informed that my inmate trust account was getting $2.00 a day deducted from it for rent. I don’t recall ever authorizing this deduction or acknowledging this charge. I was told that it’s not posted anywhere but its common knowledge. I have not been convicted of a crime yet but am being charged without my consent or authorization for meals. This in in violation of the Arizona Constitution, Article II § 30. The worst part is that upon release you’re given a debit card with your remaining balance on it, but you can’t pull all of the cash off of it. You are forced to make purchases with your card which I suspect PANT monitors. The punch line is that money continues to be deducted from your card.

Yet another illegal tracking of recently released arrestees is to install a GPS on impounded vehicles without the consent of the owner. By the time notice is given to the owner, the GPS tracker has been removed (see State. V Bushee).

My last concern I will address I this letter can only be described as “torture” or “cruel and unusual punishment” by the women who are documented as having some sort of recognized mental illness. Yavapai County prides itself with their zero tolerance for narcotics, even legally prescribed narcotics. The most common substitute for psych medication is a very large dose of benedryll. I witnessed a women start ramming her head against a wall until she was removed. Another women in lock down was allowed to scream “get them off me” for over 14 hours until the deputy officer removed her from her cell bloody from apparently hitting whatever she thought was on her. Two more women tried to explain to me the torture of paranoia, voices, and fear of a psychotic meltdown because they were being denied their narcotic prescribed medication. Even if their doctor sends their medication to the jail, it will be denied. They are told if they are at the jail for over 60 days they will consider to allow them their medication. For some women, it creates a mental torcher chamber within their head. This could be considered negligent of the medical practitioner.

As to the violations or staff misconduct that I personally experienced, I attempted to resolve the multiple issues. I have kept a record of such to the best of my ability.

I’d like to conclude by recapping on the various issues I believe are in violation of state (federal and state), unethical or labeled as misconduct. The statutes in violation are listed also:

  • ILLEGAL SEARCH AND SEIZURE –
    Fourth Amendment of U.S. Constitution; ARS §§ 13-120 13-4315
  • UNREASONABLE SEIZURE OF PROPERTY –
    ARS §§13-3919-21 13-4306 c 13-3919 13-4365 f 13-4306
  • DENIAL OF PRELIMINARY HEARING AND BIASED JURIES –
    Arizona Constitution, Article II § 30; ARS §§ 13-114; Arizona Rules of Criminal Procedure, Rule 5; Title 13 Chapter 21
  • DENIED LEGAL RESEARCH
  • DENIAL PROCEDURAL PROTECTIONS
  • REFUSAL OF PERSCRIBED MEDICATION FOR MENTAL ILL
  • MISHANDLING OF IINMATE TRUST FUNDS
    Arizona Constitution, Article II § 30
  • IMPROPER USE OF ANTIRACKETERRING FUND
    ARS §§ 13-4310 (g); 13-4318
  • PREJUDICIAL LAWS
    Anti-Meth laws and sentencing guidelines. Law prejudices as to a particular type of addict. Holding that type of addict to stricter rules and penalties
  • LACK OF CHECK AND BALANCE SYTEM FOR LAW OFFICALS-
    PANT is getting paid to take property. They are not held accountable for failing to perform their duties prescribed by statute
  • ABUSE OF POWER AND AUTHORITY
    Monitoring spending, GPS tracking, illegal searches, and lack of due process when seizing property, denial of procedural rights, and everything mentioned herein.
  • My legal mail was opened without my presence. The contents of my legal mail was removed from the package and slipped under my door seven days later. In other instances my legal mail was opened and a note was written on it saying that it wasn’t read and the opening of the legal mail was inadvertent. Complaints were made to Sergeant Bolt regarding the mail. Nothing was ever done about it. I had legal mail that disappeared completely send by P. Henning (telephone number removed by editor).

I hope that each allegation is diligently looked into.

Sincerely,
Cheri Remmenga

See Also :

“Croynyism, Nepotism and Favoritism in a Small Town Courthouse,” Bill Williams. Examiner. June 27, 2012.

Panzarella v. Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office; Yavapai County Attorney; Steve Waugh; Superior Court of Yavapai P1300CV201001948

Measuring Illegal and Legal Corruption in American States by Harvard, Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics Corruption in America Survey. Arizona was number one.

See WSJ study on Arizona Corruption

(1) See In the Matter of White 2010 Toyota Yaris; One Thousand Three Hundred Sixteen Dollars in U.S. Currency Cause No P1300CV201401195 – The State illegally seized and forfeited property. Motion to Vacate Judgment is pending.
(2) Paid Informant GS has accepted money for drugs from PANT (telephone numbers deleted by editor); TM accepted money and drugs from PANT
(3) CAUSE nO. p1300CR201500039 – Grand Jury deliberated for four seconds returning a true bill as to two counts. The reading of statutes and counting of votes cannot even occur in four seconds. See 12.9 Motion filed May 18, 2015
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77 Comments

  1. Dylan j says:

    The following is my opinion: My name is dylan jacobs..I thoroughly agree with this article..I. upset on how some people cant agree…this county justice..is straight financial rape ..money is the root of all these issues..u cant Express how badly I was treated by the courts…my appointed lawyer..and especially came verde..I solemy swear I stand for this article’s truth..its all valid…anyone disagree..take a trip and visit our camp verse jail..talk to the inmates..research the statistics. About yavapia courts..there’s slot have blantly clear clear misuse of power ..its disgusting..for example.
    Yavapai..probation violation bond is 15,000 dollars..however Maricopa is 1500 dollars..they make it easy to keep you, hard to get out..and when your out .extremely hard to fight your case..public defenders prosecutors the judges and probation..all work together..to keep this cycle going..its really sad…I’d like to start a group of peopel that agree that there needs to be a change..and try and come together and do so..

  2. Hannibal says:

    I couldn’t agree more with the comments that have been left on here. For I would like to speak with Cheri Remmenga, for there are a lot of the same tones that she went threw that Im going threw.

    I hope that the publisher will pass my info along.

  3. Dewey Christensen jr says:

    (Name deleted by editor) in black canyon city is stealing power the power miter just reads 0 all the time

  4. Barbra Burt says:

    I am interested in fighting against Brutality in Power People in Yavapai County. Specifically Prescott Valley and their affiliates in the PANT department.
    Please shoot (as in connect interpersonally)
    I’d like to share the information I have experienced, on my end. And I add, *Corruption, at its finest!*

    I have labeled the above as:
    Brutality in Power People
    and,..this has to stop~

  5. Lisa Todd says:

    I am interested in fighting against Brutality in power people in Yavapai County

  6. Anonymous says:

    So many people here have gone through so much in this county with law enforcement lying.I have tried contacting anyone that will listen to get justice and shed light on the corruption in yavapai county. I am always told that “Yavapai is basically black and white, Ms. Polk runs this town like the 1950s, there is absolutely nothing you can do about it unless more citizens come forward. ” I wish the corruption would come to light and we could all fight against the abuse of power here.

  7. Mrs. Erma West, Cottonwood says:

    @anonymous That’s why you have the right to vote in America. Organize voters and you’ll get something done if you convince people with facts that you’re right. God be with you always and give you peace.

  8. Anonymous says:

    Mrs. Erma West, Cottonwood, thank you so much for your kind words. I am currently working with 2 organizations to try shed light on the corruption and racism in this town. Surprisingly other people in this community have reached out to them as well. We have been contacted to meet with the mayor. Not sure what will come from it but I hope and pray we see change. It’s not about a fight but it’s about accountability and being treated like a human being. We are louder in numbers prople need to stop being scared of making noise. I’ve been scared for years and I’m tired of being scared. Thank you again. God bless you.

  9. Molly says:

    I am currently on probation (drug court) In this county. I cant deny being put on drug court has helped me immensely. It got me sober & living a much better life. Ive spent a lot of time in and out of jail and I can not agree more with how currupt this county is, its disgusting. This article makes me so happy that people are trying to do something about this. Even though I have sober time and am no longer a “criminal” i still live in constant fear of this towns police & the fear of being sent to prison over the smallest mistake. My freedom and whole life rests in the hands of controlling, money hungry, twisted people who claim to have your best interest. Its absolutely terrifying. Thank you for everyone’s comments and I pray that change is coming!

  10. Dawn says:

    All The following is In my opinion only: Yavapai County needs to be heavily investigated for the corruption currently going on, Who will listen? The pure disregard for human rights and civil liberties in this county is making me want to scream to the top of my lungs for justice for so many people currently and formally in the system here. What can we do? How can we organize? There needs to be change. I have a friend who is going to fact anywhere from 10 to 20 years because instead of taking a plea the Defense Attorneys push on people serving there, he chose to fight a corrupt system because he knows he is innocent. PANT needs to be shut down by the Federal Government, it should not be allowed to continue to function there, the way they are operating is sending innocent people who are little more than petty criminals or people with mental health and substance abuse issues to prison for half their lives. The same people are thrown in the system over and over again because there is a revolving door and people cannot get out unless they have good representation and a lot of money. Evidence goes “missing,” people are searched without cause, officers lie on the stand, people’s civil rights are being grossly violated and their jail there in Camp Verde is over crowded, that should say something to someone. Write the media, speak out. to anyone who will listen. It’s sick this is happening in America. These criminals are people! They have families, many of them are in need of drug treatment, mental health services and PANT is making them out to be hardened drug dealers to gain notarity and their own gain.

  11. @dawn says:

    Right on Dawn. I totally agree. I know of a similar situation. IMO Rouge lying cops or should I just say criminals ?.

  12. @dawn says:

    Right on Dawn. I totally agree. I know of a similar situation. In my opinion only Rouge lying cops or should I just say criminals .?

  13. Jody Baker says:

    Even though this article is several years old . Nothing changes if nothing changes.i would desperately like to get a hold of the person who wrote this article and anybody who left comments can reply as well we need to form a group of people that are willing to put everything on the line and fight the system and do whatever it takes to actually make the change instead of just commenting and then forgetting about it in life goes on. Please Cheri Remmenga if see this would you please contact me or anybody interested in actually making a change my family member just got sentenced basically a death sentence they will never come out of prison in their completely 100% innocent my name is Jody and you can contact me at Jody Baker 79@yahoo.com you may contact me at 8:05-668-7247

  14. Anonymous says:

    please email me k12leadership at outlook.com
    I would love to know what organizations are currently working to get the stories out
    I have one of a small town corruption taking place
    cover up kids taking weapons ionto schools and showing the weapons to classmates and the weapons are supposed to be reported to the state board of education and the educators are supposed to be told about the investigations of the incidents BUT because of the relationships in the small town there is nothing done about it
    when the educator who had their life threatened with with weapon becomes the squeeky wheel and wants a formal report taken the small town trying to protect the family of the child who had the weapon ends up going after the squeeky wheel
    the squeeky wheel had a family member with a long criminal history
    so guess what
    the police didn’t investigate the weapon at school
    instead they investigated the family of the educator reporting the weapon
    and they illegally searched the home the educator owned by means of gaining access by following the family member who had the criminal history home and
    from their they got a bunch of lies together and took it to a grand jury and suddenly wrecked the life of the educator to scare the educator and taking the family member away
    marking the family as the victim to cut their communciation
    and trying to force the accused into a 16 year plea
    and you have to go to other counties to find legal representation
    and hope and pray that the truth comes out about the real reason the police follwed the person with the criminal history home and illegally harassed badgered searched and even told the person during their transport to the camp verde jail if they didn’t like it to come sue them.
    It’s all very true and it’s happening right now in the bakyard of someone in Yavapai County because the entire system operates in a currupt manner.
    email me please and let me know what organizations are making progress
    or if there is any improvement in the system or success stories on fighting the courts ends up working for the right outcome
    and if you are sueing the county
    we should definently be in contact with one another

  15. small town horror of curruption says:

    please email me k12leadership at outlook.com
    I would love to know what organizations are currently working to get the stories out
    I have one of a small town corruption taking place
    cover up kids taking weapons ionto schools and showing the weapons to classmates and the weapons are supposed to be reported to the state board of education and the educators are supposed to be told about the investigations of the incidents BUT because of the relationships in the small town there is nothing done about it
    when the educator who had their life threatened with with weapon becomes the squeeky wheel and wants a formal report taken the small town trying to protect the family of the child who had the weapon ends up going after the squeeky wheel
    the squeeky wheel had a family member with a long criminal history
    so guess what
    the police didn’t investigate the weapon at school
    instead they investigated the family of the educator reporting the weapon
    and they illegally searched the home the educator owned by means of gaining access by following the family member who had the criminal history home and
    from their they got a bunch of lies together and took it to a grand jury and suddenly wrecked the life of the educator to scare the educator and taking the family member away
    marking the family as the victim to cut their communciation
    and trying to force the accused into a 16 year plea
    and you have to go to other counties to find legal representation
    and hope and pray that the truth comes out about the real reason the police follwed the person with the criminal history home and illegally harassed badgered searched and even told the person during their transport to the camp verde jail if they didn’t like it to come sue them.
    It’s all very true and it’s happening right now in the bakyard of someone in Yavapai County because the entire system operates in a currupt manner.
    email me please and let me know what organizations are making progress
    or if there is any improvement in the system or success stories on fighting the courts ends up working for the right outcome
    and if you are sueing the county
    we should definently be in contact with one another

  16. Brenda tomanini says:

    Indeed to know how and where to sue (Deleted by editor) Sgt. for slander and false arrests

  17. Brenda says:

    I can most definaately relate to Cheri’s story…Feb.of last year (Deleted by editor) came to my home regarding phone calls (Deleted by editor) I was detained for seven hrs.and their (deleted by editor) was not only invalid but (deleted by editor) they were not any drugs in our home…I was waiting for my employer to ick me up for work instead I was detained outside my home for nearly seven hours…

  18. Linda Ricci says:

    I agree totally. My sister had a run in with (deleted by editor) and one of the officer’s was a total dick saying things to her he wasnt professional and sander her. I wish this yavapai county court system would be investigated.

  19. ttwusafu2 says:

    Everything this lady says is 110% correct Yavapai County courthouse is the definition of a Kangaroo Court

  20. Sierra Anderson says:

    It is up to us to keep our country safe. Learn your rights. Don’t let these unconstitutional gangs take our freedom!
    United, we stand! Divided, we fall…

  21. Jp Jp says:

    I did a 5year flat sentence with Doc and got out with a 8 month parole I ended up doing a %115 of my sentence how is that possible or even legal?

  22. EBL says:

    police are invested in being 100 per cent good . . less a few no worth bad rats needing to be fired but they get found out . .

  23. Been there says:

    My daughter was a passenger in a car where one of their rats was driving. He almost killed two people when he hit a concrete barricade. He walked no questions asked. It still goes on, the corruption. It only grows because they get away with it.

  24. Anonymous says:

    I did 15 years in ADC …welcome to Yavapai County

  25. Kim Kalvary says:

    We all knew the Verde Valley was corrupt long before the Harvard survey. So what was Harvards point? I mean what kind of establishment such as a university and all affiliated therein makes a point to broadcast such a provocative result then do nothing? Thank you Harvard just poured salt on the wound.…Ya know what Harvard it takes one to know one and the Verde Valley can do without the likes of you thanks very much. I believe Harvard to have an obligation no a duty to stand up for the injustice they found then. Did they, well here we are nine years later and it doesn’t appear so. Harvard, what a great foundational establishment we attribute to the building of our great nation. What is the definition of infrastructure? What is the definition of contribution? And yes Harvards findings and our citizens testimony’s are all very real and true. Ya’ll remember that good always wins and the bad guy always gets it in the end. Peace Out.

  26. Erin howell says:

    I absolutely agree there is corruption of power there in the courts as well. IMO I experienced illegal arrests there. They recently just severed my rights toy children after I went to court to fight my ex on him allinating me. He and his family are from there and were in occults there.

  27. Aaron Love says:

    In my opinion – The article by Bill Williams was so indicting of the Yavapai County Court system and specific powerful individuals in it that iit spawned an action (deleted by editor) to squash freedom of the press and have it removed from publication. In my opinion – It’s a very dark side of human nature on display in Yavapai county government and a lot of lives being ruined as a result.

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