DEA INVESTIGATION

COCHISE COUNTY, Ariz. — A federal investigation involving a Cochise County Sheriff’s deputy included court-authorized tracking of the deputy’s cellphone after concerns were raised about possible drug-related activity. The DEA now says the investigation is being closed after investigators found no evidence of drug offenses. The investigation began after Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels contacted the Phoenix Field Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration regarding suspicions that a county employee could be involved in drug offenses. As part of the investigation, a DEA special agent submitted an affidavit to Cochise County Judge Anne Borowiec on July 17 seeking a search warrant to track the deputy’s cellphone. According to the affidavit, the agent had spoken with two Cochise County deputies in April regarding allegations that a fellow deputy may have been involved in selling cocaine both while on and off duty. Both deputies provided sworn written statements. The affidavit also detailed information reportedly provided by one of those deputies regarding a concerned citizen. According to the information presented to the court, the citizen had raised concerns in April that the deputy appeared to be under the influence of a substance other than alcohol and allegedly offered some of the substance to the citizen. Those claims were allegations presented as part of the investigation and warrant process. Following additional inquiry, investigators sought authorization to use GPS and other cellphone-location technology to determine the location of the deputy’s phone for a period not exceeding 60 days. The warrant request also included authorization to use cell-site and sector information, as well as a Signal Information Collection System. The technology can simulate a cellular tower, allowing nearby devices to connect and provide identifying and location information. The DEA agent stated in the affidavit that it would be used in a manner intended to minimize interference with devices that were not targets of the investigation. Judge Borowiec signed the search warrant on July 17. Despite the allegations that prompted the investigation and the subsequent investigative measures, the DEA says investigators ultimately did not uncover evidence of drug offenses. A DEA spokesperson said Sheriff Dannels had contacted the agency about the suspicions and confirmed the agency investigated the matter. According to the DEA, the investigation is now in the process of being closed because no evidence of drug offenses was discovered. The deputy has not been criminally charged and is not being identified in this report. The Cochise County Sheriff’s Office declined to provide additional comment beyond the information provided by the DEA. #coolfmlive #news #cochisecounty #arizona #dea