Yavapai County Jury Finds California Man Guilty

Yavapai County Attorney Dennis McGrane announced that on April 4, 2024, a Yavapai County Jury found Octavious Jones, of Palm Springs, California, guilty of Trafficking In Stolen Property in the First Degree, Possession of Narcotic Drugs (Fentanyl), Possession of Dangerous Drugs (Methamphetamine), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Shoplifting.

County Attorney McGrane thanked the jurors for their service, and commended the Cottonwood Police Department for a thorough investigation. The investigation revealed that Jones shoplifted numerous items from a grocery store in Cottonwood, Arizona, which was captured on the store’s surveillance camera. Cottonwood Police Officers quickly located Jones, who was still in possession of the stolen merchandise. Jones admitted he planned to resell the stolen merchandise. A police K-9 dog alerted on Jones’ vehicle, which contained approximately 50 grams of Fentanyl and 14 grams of Methamphetamine. 

Yavapai County Attorney Dennis McGrane stated, “Thieves who steal from merchants with the plan of reselling the stolen goods are despicable. They endanger a merchant’s employees and customers, and cause merchants to suffer huge losses that can result in businesses closing, employees being laid off, and higher prices for all of us. While prosecutors in places like New York City and San Francisco are often in the news for turning a blind eye on shoplifters and organized retail thieves, my office will aggressively prosecute thieves and others who choose to commit crimes in Yavapai County.”

Sentencing is scheduled for Monday, May 13, 2024, before the Honorable Michael Bluff of the Yavapai County Superior Court. Jones is facing a minimum of 4.5 years in the Arizona State Prison.