Homeless in Arizona

Prescott Valley police chief Bill Fessler shovels the BS???

Prescott Valley police chief Bill Fessler sounds a lot like Hogan's Heros Sgt Schultz - "I know nothing! I know nothing!"

Of course if a suspect criminal behaved in this manner the police would call him a lying criminal who is probably guilty of something and just having a convenient memory lapse to cover up his crimes!

While we all suspect that Prescott Valley Police Chief Bill Fessler is a lying criminal who is covering up the crimes of crooked cops that work for him, we will never know the truth about this.

Prescott Valley chief spoke to bar fight victim

Prescott Valley chief spoke to bar fight victim

Posted: Feb 19, 2013 4:48 PM Updated: Feb 19, 2013 4:48 PM

Posted by Jennifer Jones

FLAGSTAFF, AZ (AP) -

The Prescott Valley police chief says he was at the center of a conversation that prompted a biker brawl but denies throwing any punches.

Bill Fessler told authorities that someone else got ahold of Justin Stafford at a Prescott bar in December, leaving him with a bloodied and bruised nose.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety says it's wrapping up its investigation of the fight that involves members of a law enforcement motorcycle club. The agency released unredacted police reports Tuesday.

Both Fessler and Yavapai County sheriff's employee Bill Suttle say a fellow officer hit Stafford, but they didn't know his name.

Suttle says he broke up the fight and immediately sent the law enforcement officer to the hotel where they were staying.

Stafford has told The Associated Press that he was caught off guard.

Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Prescott Valley police chief Bill Fessler spoke to bar fight victim

Prescott Valley police chief Bill Fessler spoke to bar fight victim

Posted: 6:46 PM

By: Associated Press By: Associated Press

PRESCOTT, AZ -

The Prescott Valley police chief was at the center of a heated discussion that prompted a biker brawl , but he denied throwing any punches or knowing the name of the person who did, according to police reports released Tuesday.

Bill Fessler told authorities that someone else got ahold of Justin Stafford in December at a bar on Prescott's Whiskey Row, leaving him with a bloodied and bruised nose.

The state Department of Public Safety is about two weeks from wrapping up its investigation of the fight that involved members of the Arizona chapter of the Iron Brotherhood Motorcycle Club, which is made up of law enforcement officers, agency spokesman Bart Graves said.

The department previously released the police reports, but the documents were heavily redacted and didn't name the victim, witnesses or anyone involved in the fight. The unredacted reports were made public after the Prescott Daily Courier went to court to fight for their release.

Fessler told authorities that Stafford approached him at Moctezuma's bar, grabbed his vest and started talking trash and asking about his patches, according to the documents. Fessler responded by saying, "Why are you asking?"

Fessler told authorities that someone else then took away Stafford, and Fessler left.

Yavapai County sheriff's employee Bill Suttle recounted a similar story. Both he and Fessler said a fellow officer nicknamed "Top Gun" hit Stafford, but they didn't know his name. According to the reports, Suttle said he broke up the fight and immediately sent the law enforcement officer to the hotel where they were staying.

Officers from the Prescott Police Department had responded to the bar and the local hospital where Stafford's friend took him after he was hit. Stafford's family declined to comment Tuesday, but he previously told The Associated Press that he was talking to a biker and admiring his badge when he was grabbed by the throat, pushed toward the bar and punched in the face. Stafford, who admittedly was drunk, said he was caught off-guard.

Witnesses described a raucous fight where "everyone was swinging at everybody." A video shows Stafford walking up to a man in a black vest and talking to him when another similarly dressed man grabs Stafford at the neck and pushes him, according to the reports.

Moctezuma owner Bruce Reid said he doesn't allow bikers into his bar with their "cuts," but made an exception for the Iron Brotherhood after members showed police badges to the security staff. Reid told authorities the bikers were swinging their fists at him and his staff as they tried to break up the fight, and that the group reluctantly left when asked.

Prescott police officers caught up with Fessler and Suttle after the fight at a nearby bar where the Iron Brotherhood had held its Christmas party earlier that night. One officer wrote in a report that Fessler and Suttle "did not appear as if they were providing me with all of the information regarding the matter."

Suttle also told a Prescott officer that "Andy was there," and "I want him left out of this." Suttle was referring to Andy Reinhart, who was Prescott's acting police chief at the time but who has been cleared by DPS in the investigation.

"We knew you guys were going to show up. They told me you were coming, so I told Andy to go home," said Suttle, who commands the sheriff's narcotics unit.

Prescott police spokesman Lt. Ken Morley said neither Fessler nor Suttle came forward with the name of the law enforcement official they implicated in the fight before the investigation was turned over to the Department of Public Safety. Morley said there's no indication that any Prescott police officers were involved.

Sgt. Brandon Bonney, a spokesman for the nearby Prescott Valley Police Department, declined to comment Tuesday, citing the ongoing investigation. Fessler released a statement shortly after the fight defending his department. He didn't specify whether he was involved in the brawl but said "the truth will be told."

Yavapai County Sheriff Scott Mascher has asked the Coconino County Sheriff's Office to review the involvement of any of his employees.

Unredacted Police Report on Brawl Reveals Names But Questions Remain

Unredacted Police Report on Brawl Reveals Names But Questions Remain

Written by Lynne LaMaster

Unredacted Police Report on Brawl Reveals Names But Questions Remain

The redactions are filled in. But questions still remain.

One month ago, we reported on a heavily redacted police report regarding a brawl in downtown Prescott's Moctezuma's Bar on Whiskey Row.

That was when off-duty law enforcement, members of a motorcycle club called "Iron Brotherhood" got into a fight at Moctezuma's the weekend before Christmas. One person, pummeled by a member of the Iron Brotherhood, was sent to the hospital with a broken nose. Yet, no arrests were made, no charges of assault were filed.

Read: Police Brawl Investigation Suggests Attempted Coverup and Lack of Cooperation

Today we have received the unredacted copy, which we duplicate for you here.

But, first, here are answers to some of the questions we posed last January.

1. There does not appear to be any attempt at a cover up by the investigating Prescott Police Officers. However, the off-duty law enforcement being interviewed certainly appear to be less than forthcoming.

2. The victim's name is Justin Stafford.

3. It appears that the cop that threw the first punch is one with a club name of "Top Gun". What's his real name? Who knows? Neither Police Chief Bill Fessler (President of the "Iron Brotherhood" at the time) nor Yavapai County Sheriff's Officer (YCSO) Commander Bill Suttle could remember. Suttles and Fessler's lack of knowledge of "Top Gun's" real name was met with skepticism by the investigating officers.

4. We now know that it was Commander Suttle who sent Prescott Deputy Chief Andy Reinhardt home.

5. But someone else was also sent away - "Top Gun" - who apparently is the first one to punch Stafford. Who is "Top Gun"? As mentioned, we still don't know that.

And it appears that it will take a long time before we know much more. When the Arizona Department of Public Service (AZDPS) sent the un-redacted report, they included a note, "This is all that is available right now, it will be several months until all other investigations are complete."

Several months???

Unredacted Police Report:

Report from Officer Clayton Heath

12-24-2012, at approximately 1000 hours, I was informed by Lt. Morley that an assault had occurred at Moctezuma's bar on Saturday night the 22nd and that some officers may have been involved. He requested that I respond to Moctezuma's bar and two other bars as well (Matts, Hooligans) and see if more video could be obtained from these businesses, besides the video that was already obtained by patrol on the night of the incident.

At approximately 1045 hours, Detective Brazell and I responded to Moctezuma's bar in order to contact IL Reid to try an obtain more video. We talked to the day bartender who informed us that both of the owners were not there and to try and give them a call. I telephoned IL Reid and left a message to have him call me.

We then went to the Hooligans bar and I called the owner, who had IL Bennett respond to the bar to let us in and make copies of the videos we needed. While explaining to IL Bennett what video we needed he told us the following information. The club Iron Brotherhood reserved the back room for a party from 1800 hours to 2200 hours. He said there was about twenty subjects wearing vests with "Iron Brotherhood" at the party with their wives or girlfriends. He said they were a rowdy group and he had cut off about ninety percent of them from alcohol by the time the party had ended.

He said one of his sound crew men had to get into a business office to adjust the sound system during the party. He had to ask a female to move from in front of door and his hand on her to get her attention. The male subject that was with her started yelling at him and getting in his face. He didn't do anything about it and went into the room to finish his business. IL Bennett confirmed later that male subject was part of the Iron Brotherhood group. IL Bennett said the whole group was acting like they were some outlaw motorcycle gang. He said they all left the bar about 2230 hours and went to other bars on the row. He said that some of them came back about an hour later.

After instructing what video we needed from IL Bennett we left the bar. I tried to contact the owner of Matt's bar but have not received a phone call back from him yet.

Apparently a group of them tried to gain entry into the bar, but Matts has a "no color" policy the bar. A group of them however, according to what IL Bennett heard from the security at Matts, were flashing their badges and trying to bully way into the bar.

At about 1200 hours I received a call from IL Ried C. I told her I would like a copy of the video of when the first subject belonging to the "Iron Brotherhood" arrived at the bar and when the last one left. A short time later she called back and said this was completed. I had Detective Brazell respond to each bar and retrieve the videos. He later placed them into evidence.

Report from Officer Jeremy Brazell

On December 24, 2012 I was advised by Sgt Heath of this investigation and asked to assist. Around 1045hrs Sgt Heath and I responded to Moctezuma's Bar to inquire about additional video surveillance from the night of December 22, 2012. We were informed that (IL) C. Reid was coming in later that day. Sgt Heath later made contact with Reid about the video inquiry.

We then responded to Hooligans Pub (112 S. Montezuma St.). A short time later we made contact with (IL) William Bennett, general manager of Hooligans Pub. We informed Bennett that that we were there to inquire about possible video surveillance and he immediately asked us if this had anything to do with the "Iron Brotherhood." We informed him that it did and he said that he did have video from the night of December 22, 2012 and would be able to provide us with DVD's that contained the footage.

Bennett made a comment about the members of the "Iron Brotherhood" acting like "1 percenter's" and said that it wasn't right. Bennett was able to pull up several angles inside Hooligans Pub for us to look at. Bennett advised that man named "Bill" had reserved the back bar room for the night from about 1900hrs to 2200hrs for the "Iron Brotherhood." Bennett stated that he remembers around 20 members of the club being in the bar on the night of December 22, 2012 and said they started arriving around 1830hrs. Bennett said most of the members that were there brought a female companion and said that there were about 40-50 people in the back bar area. Bennett said that he would burn camera 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, and 11 starting at 1830hrs to about midnight. Bennett said that this would take some time and offered to call us when he was done burning the footage to DVD's.

Later in the day I was advised by Sgt Heath that (IL) Reid had called and would have additional video footage burned to a DVD around 1330hrs.

I contacted Bennett around 1400hrs and asked him if the video was available from Hooligans. He advised that he would have the video ready around 1430hrs. Around 1445 hours I made contact with (IL) Reid at Moctezuma's Bar. She provided me with one DVD inside a manila envelope that was marked "Moctezuma's 12-22-12, 2225- 2240". I asked (IL) Reid if she had any additional video available and she stated that she had already provided three DVD's to Prescott Police on the night of the incident and those DVD's covered the incident. I asked (IL) Reid if I needed additional video from the night of December 22, 2012 if it would be available and she said that it would be but only for a few more days (to December 27.) Reid said that all the video she had already provided to Police has been saved onto her hard drive and she could burn additional copies if needed.

I then responded to Hooligans Pub and contacted (IL) William Bennett. Bennett provided me with six DVD's that were all marked with different Camera numbers. Bennett said that these DVD's covered from 1830hrs to 2359hrs. Bennett said that each camera was on a separate DVD and also provided a list of the camera numbers and positions of each camera. I asked Bennett about his comment he had made earlier said that the "Iron Brotherhood" was acting like "1%er's." Bennett told me that he has had prior contact with members of the 'Iron Brotherhood" and they were usually polite and pleasant. Bennett said that on the night of December 22, 2012 many of the members were highly intoxicated and they had to cut off many of them from drinking because of their level of intoxication. Bennett then said that some of the were acting like they were "Hell's Angels" and he didn't feel it was right that police officers would portray themselves like that. Bennett also said that some of the members were flashing around their badges and he also didn't fee/like was right as well. Upon my arrival at the Prescott Police Department I placed all the DVD's into evidence under #350-001 and #350-002.

Nothing further at this time.

Report from Officer David Holmes

Synopsis:

On 12/22/12 at approximately 2259 hours, Justin Stafford reported that he was the victim of assault while he was Moctezumas bar located at 144 South Montezuma by an unknown male suspect. Stafford described the suspect as a shorter male with a crew cut hair cut with a black goatee who was wearing a black biker vest that had the words "Iron something" written on the back.·

Narrative: On 12/22/12 at approximately 2259 hours, I was dispatched to Yavapai Regional Medical Center located at 1003 Willow Creek Rd in reference to a delayed assault. Dispatch advised that I would be making contact with the victim Justin Stafford in the Emergency Room. Upon arrival to that location I made contact with Stafford and obseNed that his nose was swollen and bleeding. I also obseNed that there was another male subject in the room with Stafford at the hospital who was Identified as Staffords friend and Witness Richard Sprague. I then asked Stafford what happened.

Stafford stated "earlier about 30 minutes ago" while he was at Moctezuma's bar he was assaulted by some bikers who were wearing black biker vests with a bunch of patches on them. Stafford stated that he walked up to one of the bikers and asked him what was the name of his club because he didn't understand what the writing on the back said. Stafford then stated that the guy gave him attitude and asked him why did he want to know. Stafford stated after the guy asked him why he wanted to know, another male that was wearing a the same type of vest grabbed him by the neck, pushed him back toward the bar counter and then punched him in the face. I asked how many times did he get punched. Stafford stated that as far as he can remember was that he was hit once because after that everything was a blur. Stafford then stated that someone pulled the guy off of him at which time he and his friend Sprague left the bar and went to the hospital. I asked if he had a description of the male suspect who assaulted him. Stafford stat10d that everything happened so fast that he couldn't really describe the guy other than he was a shorter guy wearing a black biker vest who had a black mustache or goatee and a crew cut hair style. I asked if he was able to see any of the names or logos on the vests. Stafford stated that all he could see is that on the back of the vest it said "Iron something". I then asked Stafford if he wanted to aid in prosecution if the suspect was located. Stafford said "yes". Stafford had no further information at this time.

I then asked Stafford's friend Sprague what happened. Sprague stated that while he and Stafford was at the Moctezuma's bar, Stafford went up to talk to one of the biker [guys that was wearing a black vest and then shortly after he started talking to the [g'Uy, another guy who was wearing the same type of vest grabbed Stafford by the neck and then punched him in the face. I asked if he knew how many times Stafford was hit. Sprague stated that he only seen him get hit once. I asked what happened after Stafford got punched. Sprague stated that he grabbed Stafford, helped get him out of the bar and once they were outside he brought Stafford to the hospital. I asked Sprague if he could describe the guy who punched Stafford. Sprague stated that it was a shorter guy with a black goatee who was wearing a the same black biker vest as the one who Stafford originally began speaking to. Sprague had no further information.

At this time I took photos of Stafford's injuries and then left the hospital to go to Moctezuma's bar to attempt to located the male suspect who Stafford stated assaulted him.

As I was pulling up to Moctezuma's bar, a male subject, later identified as the owner of Moctezuma 's , Bruce Reid walked out of the bar and began to wave me down so that he could talk to me. Once I was parked, I made contact with Reid who advised me that he wanted to talk to me about an incident that just occurred at his bar. At this time Officer Shapiro# 398 arrived on scene. Reid then began to teJI myself and Officer Shapiro that a big group of bikers who he was told "were all cops either from Prescott or Prescott Valley" started a fight in his bar. I asked Reid how he knew they were cops. Reid stated that his security staff told him that several of them showed their badges, which is why he let them in with their "cuts" on. Reid also stated that one of his security staff members, Mike knew one of the cops as well. Reid then advised that while he was standing at the bar, one of the subjects in a black vest started punching another patron for no reason. Reid stated that as he was attempting to break the fight up, two more male subjects in black vests began swinging at him and his bartender. I asked Reid if he could describe any of the the subjects; Reid stated that it happened so quick that he did not get a good look at them. Reid then stated that the first one that initially started hitting the other patron, had a black goatee. Reid then stated that they finally got them to stop, at which time the other patron who was being assaulted took off out the door. Reid stated that he then kicked all of them out of the bar. Reid then stated that during the incident, knives started falling on the ground. Reid stated that he picked one up and threw it behind the bar and another knife that feJI, his security staff picked up. Reid then stated that one of the male subjects picked up the knife from from his security staff after he asked them to leave. Reid then advised that he heard that they all went to Hooligan's Pub which is located a 112 South Montezuma. Reid then advised that he would check his video surveiJ/ance to see if it showed the fight. Reid had no further information.

At this time Officer Shapiro made contact with security staff, Mike Bartels who advised that he knew jason Kaufman because they use to bounce together. Bartels also advised that he believes Kaufman worked for Prescott Valley PD.

At this time myself and Shapiro went to Hooligan's Pub to attempt to locate the male subjects.

Once we were at Hooligan's we observed several male subjects who were wearing the black biker vests as described by Stafford and Reid. Officer Shapiro made contact with one subject and as he was talking to that subject another subject who was · wearing a black vest with the name Mongo written on it and a vice president patch approached me, showed me a Deputy Sheriff badge and asked what was going on. I advised him that we were there investigating an incident that occurred at Moctezuma 's bar. At this time the subject pulled both myself and Officer Shapiro aside into the back emergency exit hallway of Hooligan's at which time he was identified as William Suttle who advised that he was the PANT Commander.

Suttle stated that while they were at Moctezuma's some kid went up to one of their guys, grabbed him and started talking crap at which time another one of their guys grabbed the kid and got him away. Suttle stated that they got into a little tussle. Suttle stated that he broke it up and then immediately sent their guy home. At this time Officer Shapiro advised Suttle that were going to have to write a report on this and that we needed all the information. Suttle then stated that their guy that was grabbed was the Prescott Valley PD Chief, Bill Fessler. Suttle then stated that their guy who hit the kid was "Top Gun". Suttle could not recall Tops Gun's real name only that he was from Ajo, but he would get us Top Gun's name as soon as he could. At this time Officer Shapiro went to get Fessler.

Once Officer Shapiro retumed with Fessler he asked what was going on. Fessler was advised that we were there investigating an incident that occurred at Moctezuma's. Fessler asked "What happened at Moctezuma's". Officer Shapiro advised Fessler of the allegations made by the victim. Fessler stated that a kid came up to him and started grabbing his vest talking crap asking him about his patches. Fessler then stated that he told the kid "Why are you asking". Fessler then stated that someone grabbed the kid and took him away. Fessler then stated that he left.

At this time Officer Shapiro contacted Sergeant Hobbs and advised him of the situation. Sergeant Hobbs advised that he was going to meet myself and Shapiro at Hooligan's. A short time later Sergeant Hobbs arrived at which time Suttle began telling Sergeant Hobbs what happen. See Sergeant Hobbs report for further information. .

After Sergeant Hobbs was done speaking to Suttle, myself and Officer Shapiro went back to Moctezuma's as Sergeant Hobbs went to make a phone call. Once back at Moctezuma's, Reid and his wife Christina Reid handed me Surveillance videos of the incident. We then went back into their Office and viewed several different video's from different angles.

In the video's they showed the victim Stafford walk up and start talking to one of the male subjects in a black vest with a long sleeve undershirt. The video's then showed that as Stafford was standing and talking, he backs up at which time another male subject in a black vest with a short sleeve under shirt, grabs Stafford toward the neck area and starts pushing back toward the bar, at which time·several people got involved. The video's also showed another male subject wearing a black vest with a hat on, swinging and punching at people, however it did not show if he actually hit someone or not. The video's then showed that as one male subject was attempting to break up the fight, the subject with the hat on, turned and attempted to hit him as well but did not make contact. The video's then showed Stafford falling to the ground and then getting picked up by another patron and taken outside. At this time C. Reid advised that she would make copies of all videos viewed. Officer Shapiro and I then left the office to go speak to other witnesses. See Officer Shapiro's report for further information.

I then made contact with Witness Scott Darrington and asked him what happened.

Darrington stated he just ordered a drink and then saw a guy in a vest "beating the fuck out of this dude in a green shirt". (It should be noted that Stafford was wearing a Gray shirt) Darrington then stated that it looked like the guy in the green shirt didn't have a clue what was going on. Darrington stated that he was just sitting there trying not to get flipped out of his chair and then saw a guy get beat up that's it. I asked if he could describe the guy who was beating up the guy in the green shirt. Darrington stated that subject was an older guy who had grayish hair, but.he didn't really see him that good. I asked Darrington if he witnessed anyone else swinging. Darrington said no not that he noticed. Darrington then stated that the guy in the green shirt got hit three or four times in the head. Darrington then stated that the guy in the green shirt was wearing a hat at the time as well but it got knocked off at the time when he got hit: (Stafford was wearing a hat at the time). Darrington had no further information.

I then made contact with witness Jannette Lentini who was the bartender at the time and asked her what happened. Lentini stated that all of these bikers guys walked into the bar and they were a little rowdy but they were fun at first. Lentini then stated that her security came up to her and told her that all the bikers were Police Officers at which time she realized that some of them looked familiar. Lentini then stated that she asked why are they all in colors because normally they don't let them in, but they were cops and they were being friendly. Lentini stated this is how she found out that they were all cops. I asked Lentini if she actually witnessed the assault. Lentini said no she did not. Lentini stated that her boss was thrown against the bar and then drinks were being thrown at her. Lentini stated that when it was getting broken up another guy raised his hand at the other bartender Adam. Lentini then states that she was pissed off cause they are police officers and when it was all broken up there was a "big ass knife behind her bar". Lentini stated that she then approached all the guys in the bikerjackets and told them that they had to go. Lentini then stated that she did not actually see what happened. I then asked if she actually seen anyone carrying the knives. Lentini stated that she did because she went up and looked and saw handles sticking out of their back pockets. I then asked if she could identify any of the guys that were involved, she said no. Lentini had no further information.

I then re-contacted Christina Reid, who gave me all of the copies of the videos, at which time I took custody of the knife that B. Reid threw behind the bar as well. I then asked C. Reid if she witnessed what happen. C. Reid stated that she was sitting at the end of the bar where it started but she didn't really see who hit who because she had her back toward the incident. C. Reid stated that as they were coming up to the bar she jumped back behind the bar because every body was swinging at everybody. C. Reid said that there was three of them swinging but she did not know who started it or who punched who. I asked if she could describe the three swinging. C. Reid stated that all she could see was their black vests not their faces. C. Reid stated that due to her back being toward them she can't give any good descriptions and that she did not see what happened initially when it all started. C. Reid stated that she only knows what the Victim looks like because she seen him · outside after the incident but she did not actually see him get hit. I asked other than the black vests, could she describe any other clothing that they were wearing.

She said no. C. Reid had no further information.

At this time there wasn't any further information pertaining to this case at which time Officer Shapiro and I left Moctezuma's.

I then spoke to Officer Haley# 401 who gave me a surveillance video from Hooligans Bar which showed several of the male subjects entering and exiting both Hooligans Pub and Matt's Saloon.

Three photos of Stafford, the knife, four surveillance videos and a CD of audio recordings of witness statements were all placed into property and evidence.

Investigation Continues

Report from Officer Jack Shapiro

On 12/22/2012, at approximately 2349 hours, I responded to Moctezuma's, 144 5. Montezuma Street, to assist Officer Holmes with follow up on an assault case. I met with Officer Holmes, who was speaking with the owner of Moctezuma's, Bruce Reid. I listened as Bruce Reid explained that the altercation in question involved a large group of bikers, who he believed were police officers. Reid stated there had been a group of subjects at Moctezuma's wearing biker "cuts" with biker gang style on them. Reid told us several of the subjects had shown police badges to his security staff, so he had allowed them to wear their "cuts", which is against his standard procedures. Reid said after the fight had started he attempted to break it up and many of the subjects wearing biker "cuts" began swinging at him and his staff. Reid told us he did not know what to do, because he knew the group of bikers to be police officers. After the altercation, Reid asked the bikers to leave and they reluctantly left his bar and went to Hooligans Pub. Reid stated the bouncer at his bar, Michael Bartels, knew one of the bilers by name.

I contacted Moctezuma's Bouncer, Michael Bartels, in front of the bar. I asked Bartels if he knew any of the subjects who had been at the bar in Biker "cuts". Bartel said he knew one of the subjects, Jason Kaufman, as he used to work with him as a bouncer. Bartels told me he believed Kaufman to be a Prescott Valley Police Officer. Bartels also informed me the group of bikers had gone to Hooligan's Pub.

After speaking with Bartels, I conferred with Officer Holmes. I advised Officer Holmes of what Bartels had told me. Officer Holmes and I are both familiar with Jason Kaufman and know him to be a Prescott Valley Police Officer. I advised Officer Holmes that I am aware of a police motorcycle club known as the "Iron Brotherhood" and I am aware that Kaufman is a member.

Officer Holmes informed me he had spoken with the victim in this matter, justin Stafford, at Yavapai Regional Medical Center West Campus. Stafford alleged that he was grabbed by the neck and punched in the face by a male subject wearing a biker vest at Moctezuma's. Stafford had visible injury to his face and a possible broken nose.

Officer Holmes and I responded to Hooligan's Pub, 112 S. Montezuma Street, in an attempt to locate the biker subjects. As we entered the bar I observed multiple subjects wearing black vests bearing, "Iron Brotherhood" on the back. I recognized several of the subjects to be police officers I am familiar with. Officer Holmes and I were pulled aside by Bill Suttle, who showed us his Yavapai County Sheriffs Office badge and identification. Officer Holmes and I, moved into a hallway to the rear of the bar with Suttle so we could hear each other speak. Suttle told Offlcer Holmes and I, that a kid grabbed "one of their guys" and "another one of their guys" got the kid off of him. Suttle told me he immediately sent the "guy" that was involved home. I informed Suttle of the victim involved in the case and advised him we would need to gather the information of the subjects involved for a report.

Suttle then told us the kid had grabbed the Prescott Valley Chief of Police, Bill Fessler. Suttle said another club member who goes by, ''Top Gun", hit the kid. Suttle us he broke the fight up and sent ''Top Gun" back to the Hotel St. Michael, where they were all staying. I asked Suttle what Top Gun's real name is. Suttle tole me me he did not know. Suttle stated ''Top Gun" was from Ajo Arizona.

I returned to the bar and contacted Bill Fessler. I asked Fessler if he would come into the hallway where Officer Holmes and Suttle were located. He agreed. I informed Fessler we were investigating what had occurred had Moctezuma's. Fessler stated, "What happened at Moctezuma's?". I informed Fessler of the report we had received from the victim. Fessler told me a kid grabbed him by his vest and was asking him what all the patches were. Fessler said he told the kid, "why are you asking", someone else pulled the kid away from him and he then left. Fessler told us, "That's all I know". Fessler also could not provide us with contact information for "Top Gun".

After speaking with Suttle and Fessler, I contacted Sergeant Hobbs by telephone. I ladvised Sergeant Hobbs of the details of the incident, as I knew them at the time. I informed him the matter involved the "Iron Brotherhood", a police motorcycle club. I also advised Sergeant Hobbs that I was speaking with Commander Suttle and Chief Fessler about the matter and it did not appear as if they were providing me with all of the information regarding the matter. Sergeant Hobbs advised he would be responding to our location.

I advised Suttle and Fessler that Sergeant Hobbs would be responding to speak with them. While waiting for Sergeant Hobbs, Suttle commented, ''Andy was there". I commented "who?". Suttle said, "Your Assistant Chief'. Suttle told me, "I want him left out of this". Suttle later stated, "We knew you guys were going to show up, they told me you were coming, so I told Andy to go home". Sergeant Hobbs arrived at Hooligan's and spoke with Suttle and Fessler. We were still not provided contact information for "Top Gun". See attached supplement by Sergeant Hobbs.

Officer Holmes and I returned to Moctezuma's to review surveillance footage from the bar. Moctezuma's employee, Christina Ried, played surveillance footage for us from several different angles. When reviewing the video, I observed a male subject, which Officer Holmes identified as the victim, approach a male subject wearing an Iron Brotherhood vest. I observed the victim standing in front of the Iron Brotherhood member for a short period and it appeared as if they were having a conversation. Due to the position of the camera, I could not observe the victim's hands at all times. I then observed a second Iron Brotherhood member approach the victim in an aggressive manner and push him toward the bar while grabbing his neck. This subject was wearing a t-shirt under his vest and appeared to have short black hair. After the initial Iron Brotherhood member, lunged at the victim, I observed a second Iron Brotherhood member run toward their location. This Iron Brotherhood member appears to throw several punches at people and bar staff, who were attempting to break up the fight. This subject is wearing a baseball cap, blue jeans and a t-shirt. After the initial incident, multiple subjects wearing Iron Brotherhood vests move toward the area of the incident. It was difficult to decipher anything further due to the quality of the video. More video should be received from Moctezumas and will be reviewed and placed into evidence.

After reviewing video, I spoke with Moctezuma's bartender Adam Hofmann. Hofmann informed me he observed a fight erupt at the other end of the bar from his location. He responded to the location to assist security in breaking up the fight. Adam attempted to pull away one of the bikers who was swinging at someone on the ground. When Adam grabbed at the biker, the biker turned around and attempted to punch him. Adam informed me the biker missed him and it looked like he was attempting to reach for something in his vest pocket. Adam described this subject as 5'7" tall approximately 215 pounds. The subject was wearing a black baseball cap and had a gray t-shirt under his vest. Adam stated the subject had a long brown goatee. Hofmann could not provide me with any further information.

After speaking with Hofmann, I contacted Moctezuma 's Bouncer, Royalton Cornelius. Cornelius informed me he observed a fight break out from a distance. He went to break up the fight and observed a biker punching at another subject who was on the ground. Cornelius said he was outnumbered by the bikers involved and the bikers thought he was trying to fight them. Cornelius had to inform the bikers that he was security for the bar. I asked Cornelius to describe the biker that was punching the subject on the ground. He described the subject as a Hispanic older male. Cornelius said subject had black hair, a black goatee and taltoos. He described the subject as being approximately 5'9" tall. I asked Cornelius if the subject on the ground was punching back. Cornelius informed me the subject was not punching back. Cornelius had heard that the fight started because the subject that was struck had grabbed one of the biker's vests. He informed me the bikers started causing problems with bar staff after the incident and they were asked to leave by Bruce Reid.

After speaking to Cornelius, I contacted Moctezuma's employee, Nathan Lieber. Lieber informed me he was standing out front when the fight started. Lieber went inside to help security and the bartenders with breaking it up. He said the bar staff was trying to hold the bikers back, but they continued to be aggressive and go after the subject that was hit in the face. Lieber stated the bikers continued to be aggressive after the fight was broken up and they were asked to leave the bar. I asked Lieber if he could describe the subject who struck the other subject in the face. He stated, "Yeah". Lieber described the subject as between 5'5" and 5'7" tall with dark hair. He said the subject had a mustache and he was well built. Lieber told me he did not see the hit happen, but the subject later told him he was the one who did it. He also said the subject was wearing a skull ring on his right and had tattoos. I attempted to locate further witnesses to the incident at Moctezuma's, without success.

Investigation continues.

Report from Sergeant Ryan Hobbs

On 12/23/12 at 0005 hours I received a call from Officer Shapiro in reference to this incident. Officer Shapiro informed me that he was assisting Officer Holmes with an assault that originated earlier on the evening of 12/22/12 at Moctemzuma's Bar (144 S. Montezuma St.) Pct, AZ. Officer Shapiro then explained that the victim in case responded to YRMC to seek treatment for his injuries and that is when it was reported to Officer Holmes.

Officer Shapiro then stated that after Holmes spoke with the victim at YRMC, Holmes asked him to respond to Moctezuma's Bar with him for follow up. Shapiro then stated that when he arrived at Moctezuma's he witnessed Holmes speaking with the owner of this bar being Bruce Reid. Shapiro heard B. Reid tell Holmes that this assault had numerous subjects involved and he believed the other half of the fight involved a group of police officers dressed in motorcycle biker apparel being biker jacket / vest "cuts" with a biker type logo on the back of these jacket / vests. Shapiro then explained that this biker group was the "Iron Brotherhood" motorcycle club which is a known Law Enforcement motorcycle club.

Officer Shapiro then stated that he and Holmes gained information that members of this club were currently at Hooligan's bar on S. Montezuma St. so they responded there. Upon their arrival Shapiro stated and he and Holmes contacted two members of the "Iron Brotherhood" being Suttle and Fessler inside this bar. Shapiro then began to speak with Suttle and Fessler but they were not giving him much information so he wanted to advise me of this situation due to the positions of both Fessler and Suttle in Law Enforcement. (It should be noted that Suttle is a Yavapai County Sheriff's Office employee and Fessler is employed with the Prescott Valley Police Department).

I then informed Shapiro that I would be responding to his location to speak with both Fessler and Suttle. Prior to responding to Hooligans Bar I called Lt. Gil! who is my supervisor with the Prescott Police Department and advised him of this situation.

At approximately 0025 hours I arrived to Hooligan's Bar and met with Officer Shapiro out front on 5. Montezuma St. Shapiro informed me that both Fessler and Suttle were not giving him or Holmes much information at all except that a unknown subject grabbed at Fessler's vest inside Moctezuma's Bar and that Fessler and Suttle were telling him that another Iron Brotherhood member grabbed this subject and pushed him away and they didn't see anything else. Shapiro then said this information was just vague and neither Suttle or Fessler knew their members name who grabbed this unknown subject except by his member nickname being "Top Gun". Officer Shapiro then informed me that Suttle told him that Deputy Chief Reinhardt with the Prescott Police Department was inside Moctezuma's Bar with their group when this incident occurred but wasn't involved. Shapiro then told me that Suttle told Reinhardt to leave Moctezuma's Bar after this incident occurred and Reinhardt did.

I then walked inside Hooligans Bar with Shapiro and informed Shapiro to record our interviews with Fessler and Suttle. We then walked to the back of Hooligan's Bar and down the rear stairway where we met with Suttle, Fessler and Officer Holmes. I asked Suttle if he could tell me what occurred this evening. He stated that all he knew was during this incident an unknown male subject walked up to Fessler and grabbed the front of his vest. When Suttle explained this he demonstrated with his hands out in front of him in an aggressive manner. Suttle then said that another member of their group he only knew as "Top Gun" grabbed this unknown male subject and pushed him away from Fessler and got into a "tussle' with this subject. I then asked Suttle what "Top Gun's" real name was and Suttle stated that he didn't know. I informed him that he had to know his name and that it doesn't sound good that he doesn't know this guys name. He again said that he didn't know this guys name but he would call me later when he found it and give it to me. Suttle then informed me that he was standing away from this incident and was told a fight had started so he just helped break up this fight and sent his guy home being "Top Gun". I then asked him if he knew anything about "Top Gun" and he said that he believes he is from Ajo, AZ and possibly a Border Patrol Agent or works for ICE. I then informed Suttle that is was important that we interview Top Gun and that it wouldn't even lead to him being arrested if this was a conflicting story as it could be something as simple as a report being sent to a prosecuting attorney for review. Suttle still told me that he didn't know his name and couldn't give that to me. I then asked Suttle if Reinhardt was present during this incident and he said no and that I needed to leave him out of this and he later told me that when this incident occurred he told Reinhardt to leave and he did. It should be noted that I was trying to gather information as to who everyone was who could have witnessed this incident but Suttle couldn't give me much information of names. While speaking with Suttle I could smell an odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his mouth.

I then began to speak with Fessler. He first stated to me that he didn't even know why he had to be here at this time. I then informed him that obviously this incident started with him so I needed to gather information from him. He then said that he was approached by a guy who started asking him about his jacket and patches. He then said this guy stepped towards him and grabbed his jacket. While he stated this he demonstrated this action by grabbing the front inner sides of his vest / jacket in an aggressive manner. Fessler then said that when this occurred another member of their group pushed this subject away and they began to fight. I attempted to gather more information from Fessler as far as the incident and this members name and he said he didn't know. This was all of the information that Fessler would give me.

I then spoke to Suttle again and informed him that Moctezuma's has video cameras and that we would be able to view what had occurred so I needed to gather names and information of Top Gun. He again said that he would call me tonight as soon as he found this subjects name. I then gave him my phone number and informed him that I needed this information as soon as possible. (It should be noted that while I spoke to Suttle and Fessler I looked around this bar and area to see if I could see or recognize any other members of the "Iron Brotherhood". I only witnessed one other member being a Mark Schmidt who is also employed with Yavapai County Sheriffs Office. I was unable to speak with him as after I saw him once I could not locate him again.

I then left Hooligans and responded to Moctezuma 's bar with Officers Shapiro and Holmes. I contacted B. Reid the owner of this bar and he said that earlier a group of bikers wearing traditional biker vests came into his bar. He then said that his bar has a policy against bikers wearing "colors" inside the bar and his staff told this group this information. He then said his bouncers said several of the subjects in this group "badged" them stating they are all law enforcement so his staff felt that they needed to allow them to come inside with their "colors". I then informed B. Reid that we would need to gather any and all video that they have of this incident. He stated that his wife was now burning as much as she could and they would get us this video as soon as possible. I then informed Officers Shapiro and Holmes to also record interviews with every witness inside this bar including employees.

I then responded back to Hooligans bar with Officer Haley who had arrived on scene to recontact Suttle and Fessler to photograph them for comparison purposes to the video Moctezuma's was gathering for us. As I reentered this bar the only Iron Brotherhood member still inside was Suttle. I informed Suttle that I would like to photgraph him for the purpose of the video and also his hands to see whether there injuries etc. He agreed and I took several photographs of him and his hands. should be noted that he kept moving around and several of these photos were blurry. I did notice that he had no red marks or injuries to his hands. I then left this bar.

I then responded to Matt's Saloon at 112 S. Montezuma St. to see if any of the "Iron Brotherhood" members were inside this bar. Officer Haley assisted me with this. I made contact with a bouncer by the name of Cole Gregory. I asked Gregory if his staff had witnessed any subjects inside their bar wearing biker type jackets with the verbiage "Iron Brotherhood" on them. He stated that there was two male subjects earlier around 2130 inside his bar wearing this vest type jackets. He then said that he and his staff approached these subjects and told them that they could not be inside their bar wearing their biker colors. He further stated that these two male subjects were polite and left their bar. I then asked him if he could have his staff burn a video containing these subjects as we were trying to identify any of them. He said that no one was currently here who could but he would leave a message for his management to do so.

Myself and Officer Haley then responded back up to Hooligans Bar which is above Matt's Saloon. I contacted the General Manager being Porter Bennett. Bennett told me he was aware of this situation and that the "Iron Brotherhood" had rented out their back room tonight for their club. I then asked him if I was able to acquire any and all video footage from their front entrance on S. Montezuma St. that showed their front entrance as well as Matt's Saloon and also the interior of his bar. Bennett stated that he would burn this footage and give us the exterior disc tonight and the footage he could give us on 12/24/12 as it would take him some time to do. Officer Haley then waited and gathered the exterior footage.

Later during this shift I called YRMC at approximately 0700 hours to check the status of victim Stafford's injury. I was informed that his nose was broken and he left their care earlier this morning. As of this time I have not received a message from Suttle or anyone with the Iron Brotherhood in reference to the legal name of "Top Gun" or anyone else involved in this assault.

This concluded my involvement in this matter.

Investigation Continues.

Well, that's the entire report. You can download the original PDF here.