Authorities from the Arizona Attorney General's Office executed a search warrant at the Apache County Attorney's Office on Tuesday morning, as confirmed by Richie Taylor, communications director for the AG's office, in a report by FOX 10 Phoenix. The details surrounding the warrant are presently under wraps due to a court order sealing the document. The Apache County Attorney, Michael B. Whiting, who has held the position since his initial election in 2008, has not been disclosed as a subject of the ongoing investigation.
Further developments reported by 12News and the Mountain Daily Star mention that along with the AG's office, Phoenix and Glendale police among other agencies were involved in the execution of the warrant; however, specifics of their involvement remain unclear but the inter-agency coordination points to the gravity of the matter, as do unaccounted rumors suggesting that the Attorney's residence was also searched. The Apache County Sheriff's Office, caught unawares by the day's events, emphasized their detachment from the incident stating, "The Apache County Sheriff’s Office had no prior knowledge of the search warrants or indictments served yesterday. As far as we are aware no one from our agency has been implicated."
The geographic reach of this inquiry spans across the northeastern corner of Arizona, through the White Mountains, and encapsulates areas of the Navajo Nation. The Arizona Department of Public Safety did assist with security during the search, keeping the area accessible only to officials. When requested for additional details, the Arizona Attorney General's Office maintained its position, with Taylor remarking, "I’m unable to share any additional information at this time. The court has sealed the warrant,"
Amid unfolding events, the whereabouts of Attorney Michael Whiting remain a point of speculation, with the White Mountain Independent citing local sources who indicate that he is currently unaccounted for; however, this information has yet to be confirmed by any law enforcement agency directly involved in the investigation.
