MOHAVE COUNTY — An Officer-Involved Shooting (OIS) with a component of paradox is among the first arraignments handled by Mohave County Superior Court judge Megan McCoy as she transitions to a criminal caseload from the civil legal arena. Not guilty pleas were entered Thursday in Kingman for Maurice Trudell, 60.
Trudell is being prosecuted for 2 counts of aggravated assault and an unlawful flight charge for a September 25 incident in Lake Havasu City. Police responding to a domestic violence report ended up in pursuit of a vehicle that left that incident in the 1100 block of Rolling Hills Drive.
The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) reported that the chase ended when the vehicle operated by Trudell became disabled when it struck an embankment after failing to negotiate a turn in the area of Copper Way and The Ridges Way.
“The male subject then exited his vehicle and brandished a firearm,” MCSO public information specialist Anita Mortensen said in a news release. “The involved officer discharged his firearm and struck the subject.”
Mortensen said the wounded man was detained and identified as Trudell before transport to Havasu Regional Medical Center.
Trudell had been honored for his child charity and law enforcement involvements during a January, 2024 ceremony at the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) substation in Laughlin. A Mohave Daily News (MVD) newspaper article authored noted Trudell was commended for more than a decade of police partnerships, extending back to Christmas season toy collection support for kids.
The MVD reported that, at that time, Trudell has supplied new bicycles and helmets for kids in Bullhead City and Laughlin.
“Maurice Trudell has been very generous, providing bikes and bike helmets to us for our bike rodeos,” LMVPD Lt Grant Rogers said in the article. “We really appreciate his partnership and contributions to our local communities.”
Trudell, a former Bullhead City resident who provided a Lake Havasu address during arraignment, now finds himself on the other side of the law, facing a potential prison sentence if convicted. He is represented by private counsel Daniel Tangren, out of the Phoenix area.
Trudell is out of custody of $50,000 bond. His next court hearing is November 6.
