LAKE HAVASU CITY – Defense attorneys with a Tucson law firm quit their clients the day before the Lake Havasu City couple was to enter plea agreements to resolve their drug charges. Ted Joines, 38, and Leslie Joines, 31 appeared for their November 7 hearings in Kingman, but their lawyers did not.
Mohave County Superior Court Judge Lee Jantzen indicated he was provided notice on November 6 that attorneys Efthymios Katsarelis and Joseph Ricks had withdrawn as legal counsel for the Joines. Jantzen noted there were indications of client payment issues.
The couple was the focus of a multiple month-long investigation of suspected cocaine trafficking. Mr. Joines reportedly occupied a vehicle from which some 67 grams of cocaine in separate baggies was seized during a July 9 traffic stop.
A subsequent search of the couple’s home in the 3000 block of Bosun Drive resulted in further seizure. “Approximately one kilogram of cocaine, 54 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, 450 Adderall pills, 13 fentanyl pills and two and a half pounds of marijuana, along with two rifles, three handguns and $750 in cash were recovered,” said police Lieutenant Frank Hayden.
Judge Jantzen appointed the Mohave County Legal Defender’s Office to replace private defense counsel from Tucson. He said the local office will assign attorneys to represent the Joines separately going forward.
Mr. Joines assured the court that the couple intends to enter plea deals. He noted appointment of new legal counsel will provide a second set of attorneys to evaluate the proposed agreements.
Judge Jantzen scheduled December 5 status hearings for case updates.
Dave Hawkins
