LOCAL NEWS

DEA INVESTIGATION INVOLVING COCHISE COUNTY DEPUTY FOR DRUG OFFENSES‼️

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.

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SPLIT VOTE HALTS RAMSEY CANYON SHARED-USE PATH PROJECT

COCHISE COUNTY, Ariz. — A proposed shared-use path project in the Ramsey Canyon area will not move forward under its planned funding agreement following a split vote by the Cochise County Board of Supervisors this week.

During the Board’s August 11, 2026 meeting, supervisors considered an intergovernmental agreement between Cochise County and the Arizona Department of Transportation related to the Newman Trail/Ramsey Canyon shared-use path project. The project was intended to expand pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure in the area and provide connections with existing multi-use paths near Sierra Vista.

The proposed project carried an estimated cost of approximately $2.2 million, with the majority expected to be covered through federal transportation funding administered through ADOT and related transportation programs.

According to planning documents, the Ramsey Canyon trail concept has been under consideration for years. Cochise County’s long-range transportation planning has previously identified a multi-use path along Ramsey Canyon Road as a potential future pedestrian facility.

The most recent proposal would have required Cochise County to enter into the agreement with ADOT in order for the project to proceed.

During Tuesday’s vote, District 2 Supervisor Kathleen Gomez voted in favor of the agreement, while District 1 Supervisor Tom Crosby voted against it. District 3 Supervisor and Board Chairman Frank Antenori was absent.

With only two supervisors present and the vote split 1-1, the agreement failed to receive the approval necessary to move forward.

The result effectively stops the project from proceeding under the proposed funding arrangement.

County officials indicated Cochise County would have been required to provide approximately $134,000 to secure the funding package. With the agreement not approved, that contribution will not be made, and there is not another vote scheduled. This decision is final.

The decision is significant because much of the project’s cost was expected to be covered by outside transportation funding rather than directly by Cochise County. With the agreement not approved, those funds will not be utilized for the Ramsey Canyon project as proposed.

This proposed project has been in the works since 2015.

The August 11 meeting was one of the Board of Supervisors’ regularly scheduled meetings for 2026.

For residents in the Ramsey Canyon, Hereford and Sierra Vista areas, the vote means the proposed expansion of the regional pedestrian and bicycle pathway network will remain on hold unless another funding or project proposal is brought forward in the future.

CoolFMLive will continue to follow the issue and provide updates if additional plans for the project are presented.

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🚨 TRAFFIC ALERT: HEAD-ON COLLISION BLOCKING ROADWAY IN SIERRA VISTA 🚨

**UPDATE: Roadway has been cleared and is now back open**

SIERRA VISTA, Ariz. — First responders are on the scene of a head-on collision at S. Buffalo Soldier Trail and Avenida Cochise.

The collision was reported at approximately 8:21 a.m. Friday, August 14, and is currently blocking the roadway.

⚠️ Expect traffic delays and avoid the area if possible. Motorists approaching the scene should slow down, watch for emergency personnel and follow directions from first responders handling traffic control.

The extent of any injuries is not known at this time.

CoolFMLive will provide additional information as it becomes available.

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Gomez will address Data Centers and Solar Panel Farms along with addressing false accusations made against her specifically recently on social media and the board in general. Join us for an open honest discussion with your questions welcome at 3pm Friday August 14th here on Coolfmlive

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🚨 BREAKING NEWS: EILEEN MARIE SMITH FOUND GUILTY IN $119,000 FRAUD AND THEFT CASE 🚨

COCHISE COUNTY, Ariz. — Cochise County Attorney Lori Zucco has announced that Eileen Marie Smith has been found guilty on two counts of Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices & Theft in a case involving funds belonging to the trust of a vulnerable adult.

Following the guilty verdict, Smith is currently being booked into the Cochise County Jail, where she will remain pending sentencing. She faces a required prison term ranging from three to five years. Sentencing is scheduled for September 25 at 11:00 a.m.

The following information was released directly by the Cochise County Attorney's Office:

“Cochise County Attorney Lori Zucco announced the guilty verdict of Eileen Marie Smith on two counts of Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices & Theft in connection with funds belonging to the trust of a vulnerable adult.

The case originated from a February 22, 2024, fraud report to the Sierra Vista Police Department. According to the report, an Adult Protective Services (APS) employee advised officers that Smith had served as the victim’s caretaker, held power of attorney, and became trustee of Blair’s trust after Blair’s declining health and incapacity.

The report elaborates Smith misappropriated a little over $119,000 for her own personal benefit. The victim’s son was identified as the beneficiary who was to receive 100 percent of the trust, but APS reported that he had not received any of the funds.

The County Attorney’s Office remains committed to ensuring public safety and protecting vulnerable members of our community. County Attorney Lori Zucco firmly stands against financial exploitation and fraud, and her office will continue to work closely with law enforcement to hold accountable those who unlawfully take advantage of others.

This case was investigated by Detective John Papatrefon of the Sierra Vista Police Department and the jury trial prosecuted by Deputy County Attorney Michael Powell with Paralegal Naara Dominguez.

*Please note, this content may reference individuals or allegations under investigation. All such individuals are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.”

CoolFMLive will continue to follow this case and provide additional information as it becomes available, including from Smith’s sentencing on September 25.

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