Marshals Nab AJ Teacher In Molestation Case.
MorningStar Charter School teacher skipped bail in 2005— Captured in Oklahoma
By Jill Jones
The News
APACHE JUNCTION- After nearly three years on the lam for allegedly molesting female students at an Apache Junction charter school, a former teacher was arrested by Deputy U.S. Marshals on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 in Lawton, Oklahoma.
   Bobby Kennedy, 29, was originally arrested on child molestation charges by Apache Junction Police (AJPD) in May 2005. Kennedy was a youth minister, teacher and the son of school Principal Carolyn Kennedy of MorningStar Academy Charter School where he taught.
   At that time Kennedy was charged with 2 counts of sexual exploitation of minor and 2 counts of child molestation, which reportedly involved at least three female students and had occurred on school property at 1105 W. Superstition Blvd.
   Kennedy was held in the Pinal County Jail on $750,000 bail until June 27, 2005 when his bail was reduced to $150,000 at a bail hearing. While Kennedy was out on bond, authorities continued to investigate the case and developed additional information which led to another indictment of Kennedy on August 11, 2005 on 22 charges that included molestation, sexual abuse, aggravated assault and furnishing obscene materials to a minor.

See A-1 and see U.S. Marshals, A-5

Council Rejects Probe Of Severs
Councilman casts “No” vote on his own investigation— City Attorney won’t comment on “conflict of interest”
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
The News
APACHE JUNCTION- The Apache Junction City Council voted 4-2 against a motion Tuesday, March 18, to hire an independent investigator to look into Councilman Joe Severs’ residency.
   Severs, Robin Barker, Chip Wilson and Vice Mayor R.E. Eck, saying “I can’t do it,” voted against the motion. Jeff Serdy and Mayor John Insalaco were for the motion. Rick Dietz was absent due to a serious illness.
   City Attorney Joel Stern wouldn’t comment on any conflict of interest in regard to Severs voting on his own investigation. Severs did not return calls made to his cell phone.
   Prior to the vote, Barker explained that the operative word was intent. “I don’t think any of us can prove intent,” she said. Barker went on to say that if an investigation was ordered, it would drive a wedge within the council and called it “a terrible mistake.”
   Initially, Eck wanted to open the item up for public hearing. But City Attorney Joel Stern said, “I don’t think the code provides for that.” Instead, they would have had to postpone the item for another two weeks to put it on the agenda attached to a public hearing. Severs didn’t prefer that.
   “I don’t want this to drag out any longer than it needs to be. I believe in my heart and soul that I’m not doing anything wrong,” he said.
   Severs continued, saying that he represents the community and he is going to fight for the rights of citizens as he promised to do three years ago. “If it takes hiring an investigator,” he said, “so be it.”
   During the city council meeting on March 4, Insalaco motioned to forward the matter to the Arizona Attorney General’s Office. If it was unable to conduct an investigation, Insalaco suggested the city hire an outside investigator.

See A-1

3 Police Explorers Promoted
By Jill Jones
The News
APACHE JUNCTION- Three Apache Junction Police Explorer officers received promotions in rank at an informal ceremony held at the Apache Junction Police Department on Thursday, March 20, 2008.
   Tristan Stanger, son of Candice Beach of Apache Junction and Param Stanger of Indiana, received a promotion in rank from sergeant to lieutenant. Lt. Stanger attends Apache Junction High School where he maintains a 3.2 GPA. Stanger’s girlfriend, Sherry Paul, had the honor of affixing the lapel pins on Stanger’s color, signifying his rank.
   Sarah Swander, post secretary, physical training coordinator and daughter of Larry and Tracy Swander of Apache Junction, was promoted to the rank of sergeant. Sgt. Swander attends Apache Junction High School where she maintains a 3.9 GPA. Swander’s father proudly affixed the symbol of her rank to the collar of her uniform.
   Jeremy Mulbrook, equipment custodian and son of Julia Mulbrook and grandson of Frederick Smith of Mesa, was promoted to the rank of sergeant. Sgt. Mulbrook attends Excaliber High School and maintains a 4.0 GPA. Mulbrook’s mother stepped forward and affixed the pins to her son’s uniform, signifying his new rank.
   Following the promotion ceremony, friends and relatives were treated to a small reception in celebration of the explorer’s achievements.

See A-1 and see Explorers, A-3

Prospectors Lacking The Timely Hit
By Chuck Baker
The News
Baseball can often be defined as a game of “give and take.” And doing one more than the other will likely result in whether your team wins or loses.
   The Prospectors were better at giving in their game last Thursday against Goodyear Desert Edge, committing six errors on defense that led to five unearned runs for the Scorpions.
   When it came time to take, Apache Junction couldn’t come up with the timely base hit to take advantage of several scoring opportunities.
   As a result, Apache Junction dropped a 7-2 decision to Desert Edge to fall to 1-7 overall on the season, pending the results from last Friday’s game up in Flagstaff against the Sinagua Mustangs.
   The five unearned runs wasted an otherwise solid effort from starting pitcher David Gay, who allowed just six hits in six and one-thirds innings while walking two and striking out two. Gay didn’t give up an earned run until Desert Edge scored once in the sixth inning and then added a second earned run in the seventh inning.

See C-1 and see AJHS, C-6