Featured photo: From left to right, Lieutenant David Coffin, Detective Michael Angelo, and Sheriff Doug Schuster. Photo courtesy MCSO
MOHAVE COUNTY – On December 9, 2025, Mohave County Sheriff’s Detective Michael Angelo received the Innovation of the Year Award during the Arizona Sheriff’s Association 2025 Merit Awards Banquet. This award recognizes a Law Enforcement professional who has created an innovative process, program or procedure that has contributed to the improvement of investigations, operations, crime prevention, or any other significant improvement in public safety.
This award celebrates Detective Angelo’s new methods and sophisticated frameworks that have dramatically improved our ability to identify child predators, secure critical digital evidence, and ultimately bringing justice. To facilitate this mission, Detective Angelo has built a computer forensics lab that is equipped with the latest and greatest technology, all purchased with funds seized under the RICO Act (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations).
Over the past year, Detective Angelo has been responsible for the investigation and arrest of approximately nineteen child predators that have possessed Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). Detective Angelo and the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office will continue to innovate, adapt, and dedicate ourselves to this crucial fight.
Congratulations Detective Angelo for this award and thank you for your diligence, resilience, and willingness to confront darkness!
