JACQUES BILLEAUD

Reporter

Billeaud is an Associated Press reporter who covers courts and law enforcement in Arizona. He previously covered immigration and the Arizona Legislature.

Trump adviser Boris Epshteyn pleads not guilty in Arizona’s fake elector case

Three people facing charges connected to trying to overturn former President Donald Trump’s Arizona election loss are pleading not guilty.

Arizona lawmakers pass budget closing $1.4 billion deficit

Arizona lawmakers have approved a budget deal that erases a $1.4 billion shortfall by curbing spending on higher education, trimming funding for state agencies and raiding a host of special funds.

Phoenix police have pattern of violating civil rights and using excessive force, Justice Dept. says

The Justice Department says Phoenix police discriminate against Black, Hispanic and Native American people, unlawfully detain homeless people and use excessive force, including unjustified deadly force.

Former Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows pleads not guilty in Arizona’s fake elector case

Former Donald Trump presidential chief of staff Mark Meadows and Trump 2020 Election Day operations director Michael Roman have pleaded not guilty in Phoenix to nine felony charges for their roles in an effort to overturn Trump’s election loss in Arizona to Joe Biden.

Latino advocacy group asks judge to prevent border proposal from appearing on Arizona’s ballot

A Latino advocacy group has filed a lawsuit asking a court to prevent a border proposal from appearing on Arizona’s Nov. 5 ballot.

Arizona voters will decide if local police can arrest people for crossing into the US from Mexico

The Arizona Legislature has given final approval to a proposal that will ask voters to make it a state crime for noncitizens to enter the state through Mexico at any location other than a port of entry.

Arizona Senate advances proposed ballot measure to let local police make border-crossing arrests

The Arizona Senate approved a proposed ballot measure that would ask voters in November to make it a state crime for noncitizens to enter the state through Mexico at any location other than a port of entry.

Ex-NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani pleads not guilty to felony charges in Arizona election interference case

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani pleaded not guilty Tuesday to nine felony charges stemming from his role in an effort to overturn Donald Trump’s 2020 election loss in Arizona to Joe Biden.

Taxpayer costs for profiling verdict over Joe Arpaio’s immigration crackdowns to reach $314M

The taxpayer costs for the racial profiling verdict arising from then-Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s immigration crackdowns are expected to reach $314 million by mid-summer 2025.

Attorney John Eastman pleads not guilty to felony charges in Arizona’s fake elector case

Attorney John Eastman has pleaded not guilty to conspiracy, fraud and forgery charges for his role in the effort to overturn Donald Trump’s loss in Arizona to Joe Biden in the 2020 election.

Charges revealed against a former Trump aide and 4 lawyers in Arizona fake electors case

Authorities have revealed the conspiracy, fraud and forgery charges that were filed against an ex-aide of former President Donald Trump and four attorneys in Arizona’s fake elector case.

Arizona indicts 18 in election interference case, including Giuliani and Meadows

An Arizona grand jury has indicted former President Donald Trump’s chief of staff Mark Meadows, lawyer Rudy Giuliani and 16 others in an election interference case related to the 2020 presidential vote.

Arizona House advances a repeal of the state’s near-total abortion ban to the Senate

A proposed repeal of Arizona’s near-total ban on abortions has won approval from the state House, clearing its first hurdle a week after a court concluded the state can enforce the 1864 law, which only offers an exception for saving the patient’s life.

Democrats clear path to bring proposed repeal of Arizona’s near-total abortion ban to a vote

Democrats in the Arizona Senate cleared a path to bring a proposed repeal of the state’s near-total ban on abortions to a vote after the state’s highest court concluded the law can be enforced and the state House blocked efforts to undo the long-dormant statute.

What to know about abortion in Arizona under the near-total 1864 ban

The Arizona Supreme Court has delivered a landmark decision in giving the go-ahead to enforce a long-dormant law that bans nearly all abortions.

Arizona can enforce an 1864 law criminalizing nearly all abortions, court says

A near-total ban on abortions is set to take effect in Arizona. The state Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that Arizona can enforce its long-dormant law making abortion illegal in all cases except when a mother’s life is at stake.

Polygamous sect leader pleads guilty in scheme to orchestrate sexual acts involving children

The leader of an offshoot polygamous sect near the Arizona-Utah border has pleaded guilty to conspiring to transport underage girls across state lines in what authorities say was a scheme to orchestrate sexual acts involving children.

Ohio man gets 2.5 years in prison for death threats made in 2022 to Arizona’s top election official

An Ohio man who acknowledged making death threats in voicemails left for then-Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs during the 2022 election season has been sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison.

Polygamous sect member pleads guilty in scheme to orchestrate sexual acts involving children

A businessman has pleaded guilty to conspiring with the leader of an offshoot polygamous sect near the Arizona-Utah border to transport underage girls across state lines.

Arizona lawmaker says she announced plans to get an abortion to underscore out-of-touch laws

A pregnant Arizona lawmaker who revealed in a speech in the state Senate that she’s planning to get an abortion says she wanted to share with the public the practical effects of abortion restrictions passed over the years.

Judge mulls third contempt case against Arizona for failing to improve prison health care

A federal judge presiding over a lawsuit challenging the quality of health care in Arizona’s prisons is considering whether to launch a third contempt-of-court proceeding against the state for failing to improve prisoner care.

Three former Department of Education employees charged with defrauding Arizona voucher program

Three former Arizona Department of Education employees were indicted on conspiracy and money laundering charges in what prosecutors say was a scheme to defraud more than $600,000 from an education voucher program.

Arizona Republicans are pushing bills to punish migrants with the border a main election year focus

Republicans in swing state Arizona are broadcasting a tough border security stance with legislation aimed at punishing migrants who enter the U.S. illegally.

Arizona Republicans challenge Biden’s designation of a national monument near the Grand Canyon

The Arizona Legislature’s top two Republicans have challenged Democratic President Joe Biden’s creation of a new national monument just outside Grand Canyon National Park.

Retired Arizona prisons boss sentenced to probation over armed 2022 standoff with police

PHOENIX (AP) — Former Arizona Corrections Director Charles Ryan was sentenced Friday to probation for his no-contest plea to a disorderly conduct charge stemming from a 2022 armed standoff at his Tempe home during which police say he pointed a gun at officers.

Arizona faces Friday deadline for giving counties more time to count votes

The Arizona Legislature agreed to give counties more time to tally votes. The Thursday decision comes after counties complained that a 2022 change in law would make it difficult to complete counting votes in time if the results were close enough to trigger a mandatory recount.

Backpage founder will face Arizona retrial on charges he participated in scheme to sell sex ads

Federal prosecutors in Arizona will retry a co-founder of the lucrative classified site Backpage.com on dozens of prostitution facilitation and money laundering charges that allege he participated in a scheme to sell sex ads.

Arizona governor proposes overhauling school vouchers to address growing budget deficit

Democratic Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs has laid out proposals to address the state’s growing budget deficit.

Phoenix seeks to end Justice Department probe of its police department without court supervision

Phoenix has asked the U.S. Department of Justice to end its two-year civil rights investigation of the city’s police department through an agreement in which it would take recommendations for changes from the federal agency but wouldn’t be subject to costly court supervision.

Arizona governor vows to rein in skyrocketing school voucher program, update groundwater laws

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs has vowed to bring accountability to a school voucher program that’s expected to top $900 million this year.