Prosecutors say a murder suspect recently extradited to Maricopa County had wanted to kill more than a dozen Christian leaders before he was caught.
Adam Sheafe was extradited from Coconino County, where he was arrested just weeks ago. Sheafe has been indicted in the murder of New River pastor William Schonemann.
The 76-year-old pastor was found dead in his home in late April by two members of his congregation. Prosecutors say the victim had been positioned with his arms outstretched, resembling a crucifixion.
They also say that Sheafe plotted to kill 14 Christian leaders around the country. He was caught in Sedona, where he is accused of burglarizing homes using a truck he allegedly stole during a burglary in Cave Creek.
Prosecutors say detectives connected him to the murder through evidence found at the victim’s home and in evidence related to the burglaries. He’ll be arraigned this Friday.
-
A federal grand jury is accusing a Tucson man of excavating and removing artifacts from the Gila River Indian Community between October 2022 and September 2024. -
The owners of a Tempe bar where police found underage people in two dragnet operations this year say they want to help with a deadly hit-and-run investigation that led to the most recent raid. -
A federal judge ruled in November that Arizona’s sex offender registry is constitutional. -
César Duarte is accused of a money laundering scheme that involved concealing funds diverted from the northern Mexican state he once led. -
Beginning Dec. 15, Arizona inmates will no longer be permitted to receive general mail. At least not in the physical form. The state is switching to a digital-only delivery system.
