Sheriff Babeu said, "Walsh needs to be replaced with a real prosecutor, who's not afraid to bring cases to trial and will back up my deputies. Over the next several months numerous cases will be showcased, where Jim Walsh failed to do his job and let criminals off with little to no punishment. My deputies put their lives on the line every day and it's unacceptable to have the county attorney side with the bad guys. We need a county attorney that doesn't favor plea deals and starts forcing criminals to trial. Justice for victims is compromised and criminals are empowered to repeat their crimes. Lando Voyles is a prosecutor, who sends murderers, gang members, drug dealers and sexual offenders to prison. Imagine what we can accomplish with a real prosecutor leading our County Attorney's Office. Jim Walsh has every reason to be worried. He doesn't back up our deputies, plea bargains most cases and he will be held to account. This is not some cushy double dip retirement job, we need someone more engaged than Jim Walsh."
Lando Voyles said, "Sheriff Paul's work is only partially effective and he needs the help of a trained prosecutor who agrees with strict enforcement of all the laws. I will not allow criminals to go free and to avoid facing the stiffest penalty allowed under law. Right now, there are two major problems with the current County Attorney's handling of cases. First, there are dramatically too many cases that the County Attorney's Office just refuses to prosecute. Second, if the current County Attorney's Office accepts a case, there are far too many instances that the case will be pled out and this sends the wrong message to both criminals and victims. This irresponsible method of prosecuting undermines law and order."
Voyles continued, "Imagine what can be accomplished with a pro-active Sheriff and tough prosecutor, who backs up our law enforcement and brings a heavy hand against the criminals? Crime will be reduced, victims shall receive justice and our county will be far safer. The Sheriff and prosecutor need to push in the same direction, which is not happening in Pinal County. I will be independent, just as Bill Montgomery has proven in Maricopa County. These weak attacks by Walsh are designed to deflect from his poor performance. When's the last time Walsh prosecuted a case? He may be a nice older gentleman, yet he's a civil litigation guy and lacks experience as a prosecutor. We need a prosecutor - NOT a politician as our county attorney. "
Biographical Information
Sheriff Babeu is a retired Army Major, an Iraq War veteran and commanded 700 soldiers with Task Force Yuma. He was selected as America's 2011 Sheriff of the Year and has been a national leader on border security, fighting illegal immigration and Fast & Furious. The Sheriff graduated as the #1 cadet from the Police Academy and was awarded two life saving medals as a Chandler Patrol Officer. He earned an Associates degree in law enforcement, Bachelors in History and Masters in Public Administration.
Lando Voyles has served as a criminal prosecutor in the Maricopa County Attorney's Office for the past nine years. He prosecuted thousands of felons and tried over eighty felony trials. Voyles earned a reputation in the legal community and by criminals as one of the toughest prosecutors, who wins nearly every case. He graduated from William Mitchell College of Law and Brigham Young University. Voyles is an instructor of Criminal Law, Constitutional Criminal Prosecution and Rules of Evidence. He is a board member of the Maricopa Police Foundation and active in numerous community groups. Voyles is married to his beautiful wife Tiffany and they live in the City of Maricopa, where they raise their two daughters.
