Category: Court News

KINGMAN – A Lake Havasu City man’s future with his young son is uncertain following his Friday sentencing at the Law and Justice Center in Kingman. A residential “nanny-cam” captured an incident during which Fabrizzio Dransfield, 31, slammed his one-year-old son to a couch in the 1700 block of Willow Ave. on Dec. 22, 2023. The violence reportedly occurred when Dransfield was frustrated the baby boy would not stop crying. Dransfield is convicted of aggravated assault in a plea deal dismissing a child abuse count. Mohave County Superior Court Judge Lee Jantzen imposed a six-month county jail sentence, crediting Dransfield…

GOLDEN VALLEY – The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) reports the arrest of a teenage suspect in a hit-and-run pedestrian fatality in Golden Valley. Investigation began Jan. 2 after a Golden Valley man was killed where struck by a vehicle whose driver fled the scene of the accident at Chino Drive and Adobe Rd. The sheriff’s office identified the decedent as James McDaniel, 69. “Through the course of the investigation, the suspect was identified as Dehaven William Shaffer III, 19, of Golden Valley,” said MCSO public information officer Anita Mortensen. “While seeking out Shaffer for questioning, detectives observed Shaffer’s vehicle…

KINGMAN – A local judge has removed himself from the Brady Shuffler case, bringing indefinite sentencing delay for a Kingman community that had been focused on criminal chapter closure. Mohave County Superior Court Judge Derek Carlisle’s case recusal occurred during a Thursday emergency hearing at the Law and Justice Center in Kingman. Carlisle’s exit brings postponement of the highly anticipated prison sentencing hearing that had been scheduled Monday. Judge Carlisle said he discovered possible conflicts while reading material submitted in advance of the hearing. “The Court advises Counsel that based on some of the letters in the mitigation packet; this…

Over the past couple of months, the Lake Havasu City Police Department has seen an increase in reports of thefts from vehicles throughout Lake Havasu City. These thefts have primarily occurred at night and are believed to involve vehicles left unlocked while parked in residential areas. The Lake Havasu City Police Department would like to remind our community to secure their vehicles when leaving them unattended. A few tips to deter theft are listed below: 1. Lock your vehicle doors when you exit and ensure all windows are rolled up. 2. Do not leave your keys in your vehicle, even…

KINGMAN – A 10-day manhunt ended when a Kingman homicide suspect was captured in Dolan Springs on Wednesday, March 13. Nicholas Volk was wanted for the March 3 murder of Marie Garcia, 30, Kingman. Garcia died of a gunshot wound suffered in the 3100 block of Butler Ave. The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) said investigation led to a home in the 15000 block of N. Jasper Dr. where Volk was believed to be armed with a shotgun. “The residence was surrounded, and negotiations began,” said MCSO public information officer. “A short time later, Volk exited the residence and was…

KINGMAN – A low intelligence, mentally challenged Bullhead City man who used his hands and feet and a shower curtain rod to beat his disabled mother to death has been sentenced to the Arizona Department of Corrections. Joseph Houston, 28, pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of second-degree murder for the April, 2023 death of his mother after breaking into her home in the 1300 block of Lincoln Lane. Judge Billy Sipe noted that Houston’s mental health issues are significant but don’t rise to the level of a defense from prosecution. He said the brutal manner of the murder serves…