Yavapai County Attorney Dennis McGrane announced that on February 16, 2024, a Yavapai County Jury found James Byrn Siegfried, 56, of Paulden, AZ, guilty of 2 counts of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, and 1 count of Misconduct Involving Weapons. County Attorney Dennis McGrane thanked prosecutor Casi Harris for her hard work in preparing the case for trial, and thanked the jury for their careful attention to the facts. McGrane stated, “My office will continue to aggressively prosecute felons who commit crimes with firearms. If you are a felon and choose to commit a gun crime in this community, rest assured that you will be caught and sent to prison.”
On June 30, 2022, Siegfried followed a truck down Sweet Valley Road, in Paulden, AZ. When the truck pulled off and stopped on public State Land, Siegfried confronted the two occupants inside the truck, and pointed a loaded handgun at them. Fearing for their lives, the individuals left and called 911. Although Siegfried hid from law enforcement, alert Yavapai County Sheriff’s deputies quickly mounted a search and apprehended Siegfried as he tried to flee the area. A loaded handgun was found in Siegfried’s car next to a half empty bottle of whisky.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 8, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. before the Honorable Debra R. Phelan of the Yavapai County Superior Court. Because of Siegfried’s extensive prior felony convictions, which include Attempted Murder, Armed Robbery, Burglary, and Aggravated Assault, he faces a possible life sentence in the Arizona Department of Corrections.
