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.
From left to right, Deja Foxx, Adelita Grijalva, Patrick Harris Sr., Daniel Hernandez Jr. and JosÈ Malvido Jr. during the Democratic primary debate inside the Arizona Public Media studio in Tucson, Ariz., on June 10, 2025. (Mamta Popat/Arizona Daily Star via AP)
Deep-blue Arizona congressional district is up for grabs. Who will fill Raúl Grijalva’s shoes?
Five Democrats and three Republicans are running in a July 15 primary election in southern Arizona to succeed the late Democratic Rep. Raúl Grijalva.
 
Former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio poses in his private office in Fountain Hills, Ariz., Aug. 26, 2019. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)
Taxpayers in metro Phoenix still footing the bill for Joe Arpaio’s immigration crackdowns
Taxpayer costs from a racial profiling verdict arising from then-Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s immigration crackdowns well over a decade ago are expected to reach $352 million by mid-2026.
 
Attorney John Eastman, the architect of a legal strategy aimed at keeping former President Donald Trump in power, talks to reporters after a hearing in Los Angeles, June 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)
Arizona prosecutors ordered to send fake elector case back to grand jury
Arizona prosecutors pressing the case against Republicans accused of trying to overturn the 2020 election results in President Donald Trump’s favor were ordered to send the case back to a grand jury.
 
Passengers walk in front of Mesa Gateway Airport, where Avelo Airlines started making deportation flights on behalf of the federal government on Monday, May 12, 2025, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Budget airline begins deportation flights for ICE with start of Arizona operations
A U.S. budget airline has begun making deportation flights out of an Arizona airport, an unusual and controversial move for a company that depends heavily on its consumer brand.
 
Cleophus Cooksey Jr., left, who is accused of killing eight people over a three-week span in late 2017, listens during his trial in Maricopa County Superior Court, Monday, May 5, 2025, in Phoenix. (Mark Henle/The Arizona Republic via AP, Pool)
Man goes on trial accused of 8 killings in metro Phoenix in 2017
Lawyers have made opening statements at the trial of a man charged with carrying out eight fatal shootings in the Phoenix area over a three-week span in 2017.
 
Law enforcement officials talk outside the home of actor Gene Hackman on Feb. 27, 2025 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. (AP Photo/Roberto Rosales, file)
Autopsy confirms Gene Hackman died from heart disease, notes his Alzheimer’s and prolonged fasting
An autopsy report confirms the main cause of actor Gene Hackman’s death was heart disease and notes he was in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease and likely had not eaten for a long time.
 
Lori Vallow Daybell stands and listens as the jury's verdict is read at the Ada County Courthouse in Boise, Idaho on Friday, May 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Kyle Green, File)
Lori Vallow Daybell convicted in Arizona of conspiring to kill her estranged husband in 2019
An Arizona jury found Lori Vallow Daybell guilty Tuesday of conspiring to murder her estranged husband.
 
Lori Vallow Daybell talks with her lawyers before the jury's verdict is read at the Ada County Courthouse in Boise, Idaho on May 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Kyle Green, File)
Jury begins deliberating in Lori Vallow Daybell’s trial on charge she conspired to kill her husband
Jurors will resume deliberating Tuesday in the Arizona trial of Lori Vallow Daybell. She is the Idaho woman with doomsday religious beliefs who’s charged with conspiring with her brother to kill her estranged husband Charles Vallow in July 2019.
 
Arizona Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs, center, applauds for those affected by the Los Angeles area wildfires as she gives the State of the State address in the House of Representatives at the Capitol with Speaker of the House Rep. Steve Montenegro, R-Litchfield Park, left, and Senate President Warren Petersen, R-Gilbert, flanking the governor on Jan. 13, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)
Arizona governor vetoes bill requiring local officials to help with federal immigration efforts
Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs has vetoed a Republican-backed bill intended to support the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.
 
Lori Vallow Daybell talks with her lawyers before the jury's verdict is read at the Ada County Courthouse in Boise, Idaho on May 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Kyle Green, File)
Lori Vallow Daybell plans to rest her case at Arizona trial without putting on witnesses, evidence
Lori Vallow Daybell plans to rest her case at the Arizona trial where she is charged with conspiring to murder her estranged husband.
 
Lori Vallow Daybell stands and listens as the jury's verdict is read at the Ada County Courthouse in Boise, Idaho on Friday, May 12, 2023. Vallow Daybell faces up to life in prison without parole when she is expected to be sentenced Monday, July 31, in the murders of her two youngest children and a romantic rival. (AP Photo/Kyle Green, File)
Lori Vallow Daybell’s brother believes she was behind her estranged husband’s killing
Lori Vallow Daybell’s brother told jurors at her Arizona trial that he believes his sister was behind the killing of her estranged husband.
 
Lori Vallow Daybell talks with her lawyers before the jury's verdict is read at the Ada County Courthouse in Boise, Idaho on May 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Kyle Green, File)
Idaho mom who killed 2 of her kids goes on trial over death of her husband
A mother who was convicted of killing her two youngest children and conspiring to kill a romantic rival in Idaho is on trial again.
 
Sheriff Kevin McMahill speaks at a press conference on Thursday, March 27, 2025, announcing the arrest of Paul Hyon Kim in connection with the fires set at a Tesla service center last week in Las Vegas. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)
Man suspected of setting fire to Tesla vehicles in Las Vegas will remain jailed until trial
A man accused of setting fire to Tesla vehicles in Las Vegas will remain jailed until his trial on federal charges of arson and possessing an explosive device. U.S.
 
This undated file photo provided by the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry shows Aaron Brian Gunches, who was convicted of murder in the 2002 killing of Ted Price in Maricopa County, Ariz. (Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry via AP, File)
Arizona executes a man who murdered his girlfriend’s ex-husband
An Arizona man who kidnapped and murdered his girlfriend’s ex-husband has been executed. Aaron Brian Gunches was lethally injected with pentobarbital Wednesday at the Arizona State Prison Complex in the town of Florence.
 
This undated photo provided by Sherry Gaber shows Betsy Arakawa with her dogs Zinna, left, and Bear, in Santa Fe, N.M. (Sherry Gaber via AP)
Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa’s dog likely died of dehydration and starvation, report says
An examination of the dog found dead along with actor Gene Hackman and his wife in their Santa Fe home shows dehydration and starvation were likely what led to the animal’s demise.
 
This undated booking photo provided by the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry shows Aaron Brian Gunches, who was convicted of murder in the 2002 killing of Ted Price in Maricopa County, Ariz. (Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry via AP, File)
Arizona prisoner set to be executed next week passes up chance to ask for reprieve
A prisoner scheduled to be executed in what would be Arizona’s first use of the death penalty in over two years has passed up a chance to ask for a reprieve from his death sentence.
 
Actor Gene Hackman with wife Betsy Arakawa in June 1993. (AP Photo, File)
Gene Hackman and his wife tested negative for carbon monoxide, sheriff says
Authorities investigating the deaths of Oscar-winner Gene Hackman and his wife are waiting for more details from their autopsies to determine why they died.
 
Internal Revenue Service Agent Larry Edward Brown Jr., right, walks into U.S. District Court in Phoenix on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, for his trial on an involuntary manslaughter charge in the 2023 shooting death of IRS Agent Patrick Bauer. (AP Photo/Jacques Billeaud)
IRS agent acquitted of manslaughter in the 2023 death of a fellow agent at an Arizona gun range
An Internal Revenue Service agent has been acquitted of involuntary manslaughter of a U.S. officer in the shooting death of a fellow agent after a training session at an Arizona gun range.
 
Arizona Prison Complex-Lewis inmates walk around the recreation yard Friday, Jan. 14, 2005, in Buckeye, Ariz. (AP Photo/Paul Connors, File)
Lawyers for inmates ask judge to take over health care services in Arizona prisons
Lawyers for 25,000 people incarcerated in Arizona have asked a judge to take over health care operations in state-run prisons and appoint an official to run them.
 
This undated booking photo provided by the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry shows Aaron Brian Gunches, who was convicted of murder in the 2002 killing of Ted Price in Maricopa County, Ariz. (Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry via AP, File)
Court sets March 19 date for first execution in Arizona in over 2 years
The Arizona Supreme Court has set a March 19 execution date for a man who pleaded guilty to murder more than 17 years ago and has said himself that his lethal injection is long overdue.
 
FILE - This photo shows Hildale, Utah, sitting at the base of Red Rock Cliff mountains, with its sister city, Colorado City, Ariz., in the foreground, Dec. 16, 2014. T. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)
Polygamous sect leader gets 50 years in prison in scheme to orchestrate sex involving children
A polygamist leader in Arizona has been sentenced to 50 years in prison. Samuel Bateman had pleaded guilty to claiming more than 20 spiritual “wives,” including 10 underage girls.
 
Judge Bruce Cohen speaks during a pre-trial hearing Aug. 27, 2024, during the fake electors case in Maricopa County Superior Court in Phoenix. (Rob Schumacher/The Arizona Republic, Pool via AP)
Judge recuses himself in Arizona fake elector case after urging response to attacks on Kamala Harris
A judge recused himself from presiding over Arizona’s fake electors case after an email surfaced in which he told fellow judges to speak out against attacks on Kamala Harris’ race.
 
FILE - Rep. David Schweikert, R-Ariz., speaks during a hearing of the House Committee on Ways and Means on Capitol Hill, Sept. 24, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)
Republican David Schweikert wins reelection in affluent Arizona congressional district
Republican Rep. David Schweikert has won reelection to a U.S. House seat representing Arizona. Schweikert defeated Democratic former state Rep.
 
Arizona 2nd Congressional District Republican Rep. Eli Crane waves to supporters as he is introduced by Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Prescott Valley, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Republican US Rep. Eli Crane wins second term in vast Arizona congressional district
Republican U.S. Rep. Eli Crane has won reelection to a U.S. House seat representing Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District.
 
FILE - Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., speaks before Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris and Democratic vice presidential nominee Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz at a campaign rally at Desert Diamond Arena, Aug. 9, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)
Democrat Ruben Gallego leads Republican Kari Lake in US Senate race in Arizona
Democratic Arizona Rep. Ruben Gallego took an early lead over former television news anchor and staunch Donald Trump ally Kari Lake in Tuesday’s election for U.S.
 
In this image from Tucson Police Department body-camera video, police restrain Carlos Adrian Ingram Lopez at his grandmother’s home in Tucson, Ariz., on April 21, 2020. Officers cuffed Ingram Lopez’s hands behind his back and kept him for 12 minutes on his stomach, a position that can dangerously restrict breathing. (Tucson Police Department via AP)
Takeaways from AP investigation on the struggle to change a police department
Like many American cities, in June 2020 Tucson, Arizona, was struggling with the murder of George Floyd.
 
In this image from Tucson Police Department body-camera video, Carlos Adrian Ingram Lopez kneels before being restrained by police at his home in Tucson, Ariz., on April 21, 2020. Inset image shows police restraining Damien Alvarado face down at a parking lot during an encounter with officers in Tucson, Ariz., on March 22, 2020.(Tucson Police Department via AP)
How Tucson police handled a death like George Floyd’s when leaders thought it would never happen
Like many American cities, in June 2020 Tucson was struggling with the murder of George Floyd. What protesters didn’t know was that their city had two undisclosed deaths of Latino men who — like Floyd — said they could not breathe after officers pinned them face down.
 
Mark Meadows, left, Stephen Binhak and Jim Eastman appear virtually during a pre-trial hearing in the fake electors case in Maricopa County Superior Court on Wednesday, Aug 28, 2024, in Phoenix. (Cheryl Evans/The Daily News-Sun via AP, Pool)
Judge rejects former Trump aide Mark Meadows’ bid to move Arizona election case to federal court
A judge has rejected former President Donald Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows’ bid to move his charges in Arizona’s fake elector case to federal court.
 
FILE - Then-White House chief of staff Mark Meadows speaks with reporters at the White House, Oct. 21, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
Prosecutor challenges Mark Meadows’s bid to move Arizona’s fake elector case to federal court
A prosecutor has urged a judge to reject former Donald Trump presidential chief of staff Mark Meadows’ bid to move his charges in Arizona’s fake elector case to federal court.
 
FILE - Kris Mayes smiles before a debate on Sept. 28, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)
Prosecutors in Arizona’s fake electors case dispute defendants’ allegations of a political motive
Prosecutors are defending their case against Republicans accused of plotting to overturn the results of the close 2020 presidential race in Arizona after defense attorneys painted them as politically motivated.
 
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