Politically Charged: Officials create âfictional gang to punish Phoenix protesters
Posted: 5:45 PM, Feb 04, 2021
Updated: 2021-02-07 17:17:44-05
Amy Kaper promises she is not a gang member.
The 29-year-old graduate student does not run drugs, traffic guns, or work in any organized crime ring.
But, she did protest police violence last year.
For that, the Maricopa County Attorneyâs Office and the Phoenix Police Department are aggressively prosecuting Kaper â and a group of 17 other defendants, including three minors â for being part of a criminal street gang following an October 17 protest in downtown Phoenix.
In fact, officers and prosecutors allege the group is as dangerous â and in some ways more dangerous â than notorious gangs like the Crips, Bloods, and Hells Angels.
Inside the case: Watch testimony behind the Phoenix protest gang charges
Testimony shows the legal basis Phoenix officers and county prosecutors use to justify the gang designation and other charges against Phoenix protesters. Originally reported Feb. 5, 2021
and last updated 2021-02-07 17:16:54-05
The Maricopa County Attorneyâs Office and Phoenix police have designated a group of protesters as a criminal street gang.
The controversial decision has been blasted by community groups, defense attorneys, and legal organizations.
Politically Charged is an ongoing ABC15 investigation series. Click here to watch part one of the series and watch part two of the series in the player above.
and last updated 2021-02-02 00:14:15-05
PHOENIX â The Phoenix officer who was accused of vowing to shoot Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego has decided to resign, the police department announced Monday.
Officer Steven Poulos provided his retirement notice to the department before a pre-termination meeting, that was scheduled to happen with Chief Jeri Williams and himself to review the findings of the investigation following the alleged threats.
Officials said Poulos is no longer employed with the Phoenix Police Department and stated that retirement eliminates options for the department to consider disciplinary action.
Police Chief Jeri Williams shared the following statement regarding Poulos:
Phoenix Police: Officer accused of threatening Mayor Kate Gallego no longer with the department
By Kenneth Wong
Phoenix Police Department
PHOENIX - Phoenix Police officials say a police officer who was accused of threatening Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego will not face disciplinary action due to retirement.
According to FOX 10 s report on the incident in late October 2020, Poulos, who was not identified at the time by police officials, was assigned to home following the incident. Officials with Mayor Gallego s office said at the time that they are aware of a credible threat made by a member of the Phoenix Police Department to harm the mayor.