Cochise County Attorney's Office is ringing in the new year with key promotions within its Criminal Division, as announced by the County Attorney Lori Zucco. Dan Akers, bringing a hefty resume with nearly 20 years at the County and over three decades of legal experience, will now serve as the supervisor of the Drug Unit. Michael Powell steps up to oversee the General Crimes Unit after proving his mettle in the prosecution arena since 2011, according to Cochise County. Both appointments are set to bring a wealth of experience and an established track record of courtroom success to their new supervisory roles.
Akers has not only managed to successfully prosecute high-profile first-degree murder cases but also tackled some of the most serious drug sales cases for the county. His dedication to the cause has earned him nominations for the Felony Prosecutor of the Year award by the Arizona Prosecuting Attorney Advisory Council (APAAC). Powell has established himself both as an outstanding trial lawyer and also as a mentor, bagging accolades like the David R. White Award for Excellence in Victim Advocacy and the inaugural Felony Appellate Prosecutor of the Year award in 2024, as detailed by Cochise County. In their new positions, they are tasked to not only handle grants and case assignments but also to continuously improve their respective units through mentorship and collaboration with law enforcement.
The promotions continue with Deputy County Attorney Terisha Driggs, who has been appointed as the Office's Special Victim Prosecutor, a testament to her passion for advocating for victims, especially children. Her work, which involves handling child homicide cases and leading prosecutions of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) cases in collaboration with the state's International Crimes Against Children Task Force, stands as a critical contribution to the community's fight against the gravest of crimes. Driggs will now helm this area, previously managed by Zucco during her tenure as Chief Criminal Deputy.
Expressing her full support for these appointments, Zucco lauded the experience and capabilities of the trio, "I have worked alongside Dan Akers for the better part of 15 years and with Terisha and Michael for the past 8 years," she told Cochise County officials. "Dan is one of the smartest, hardest-working attorneys I know and truly deserving of this promotion. Michael has become an invaluable member of our team in many areas, including conducting jury trials in the most serious cases. Terisha’s scientific and technological background, along with her commitment to justice for victims, makes her the ideal choice for Special Victim Prosecutor."
