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Pima County sued over 289 chickens

TUCSON — Animal control officials for Pima County wrongfully seized and destroyed a local man’s prized chickens when they mistakenly took them as part of a cockfighting operation, a recent lawsuit claims.

Now Martin Dicochea wants to peck the eyes out of the county, its Animal Control division and officer Therese Deschenes.

Dicochea claims agents came to his chicken ranch in an unincorporated area near State Route 86 and San Joaquin Road southwest of Tucson last June after receiving an anonymous complaint that Dicochea was altering roosters there and training them for cockfighting, an illegal sport.

In his six-page complaint, Dicochea says he gave agents permission to search his property. They discovered certain roosters had their spurs and wattles – the appendages on their ankles and chins, respectively – removed. They found that Dicochea also had some veterinary supplies used for treating sick and injured birds.

Deschenes allegedly was not able to distinguish between legitimate rooster-raising tools and cockfighting tools, the suit claims. So she confiscated the chickens – about 289 in all.

The county then notified Dicochea that he had 10 days to post a $660,000 bond in order to reclaim the animals and appeal the county’s decision.

According to the complaint, Dicochea didn’t have the money and submitted a written protest. The chickens were ultimately destroyed.

Tucson lawyer T.S. Hartzell is representing Dicochea. He is seeking an undisclosed sum for costs and attorney’s fees.

Ex-prison guard seeks $10M over sex case

TUCSON — A former state corrections officer accused of having sexual contact with a minor is suing Pima County authorities for malicious prosecution and seeking $10 million in damages.

In his 16-page complaint, Joseph Ray Gonzales accuses the county attorney’s and county sheriff’s offices of botching the investigation over whether he raped a 13-year-old female relative at a family party.

The case stems from a May 2006 get-together that more than 40 people attended, according to the complaint. The all-day affair included dancing, drinks, food, music and swimming at the home of Craig and Janelle Pilgrim, the girl’s parents.

About six days later, the daughter told Janelle Pilgrim that she had sexual contact with Gonzales at the party. But court records suggest it may have been a get-even scenario after her mother grilled her about drinking and driving.

Either way, the damage was done, Gonzales claims. Pima County authorities investigated the matter, forcing Gonzales to take an administrative leave from a prison job that he ultimately lost because of the controversy, the complaint states.

Now Gonzales is accusing authorities of malicious prosecution because of their alleged failure to contact several witnesses, visit the scene and produce any physical or forensic evidence linking him to the alleged rape.

Tucson lawyer Diane Lalosh is representing Gonzales.