A joint operation moved people off of State Trust and Forest Service land in Yavapai County near Cottonwood Saturday. Officials from the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office, Cottonwood Police, PANT and state land and forest services got together to address ongoing problems with squatters littering and using state trust and forest service land as a home. A valid permit allows people to stay on the land for up to two weeks in a 12-month period. Authorities contacted several people and told them they had to leave and provided them a list of services that could help them. During the operation a group of mountain bikers told deputies a certain encampment there, could be home to drug abuse. Deputies and officers talked to 39-year-old Donovan Shough and 33-year-old Christine Monasmith. The couple has a two-year-old child as well. Deputies discovered dangerous drugs, including meth, meth pipes and other drug paraphernalia in Monasmith’s SUV, where Monasmith and her child were. Deputies also found a pistol and meth pipes in the trailer occupied Shough. He is a convicted felon and is not allowed to possess firearms. Officials say they found uncovered burglary tools, which includes a lock picking gun and tools used to break into vehicle. The two were booked into custody on numerous felonies including child abuse, criminal littering, trespassing, a person with pending federal charges and a person with a warrant.
Truck Leaves Highway 89, Down Cliff 20 Feet Friday Morning South Of Ash Fork
March 24, 2023
1:06 pm
