PHOENIX — Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes announced Monday that a plea agreement has been entered into with one of the persons indicted for election interference in Cochise County in 2022.
In acknowledging that she failed to canvass the 2022 election as required by law, Cochise County Supervisor Peggy Judd pleaded guilty to Failure or Refusal to Perform Duty by an Election Officer, a Class-3 misdemeanor. She will be sentenced to unsupervised probation for not less than 90 days, and pay a fine of no more than $500.
“Any attempt to interfere with elections in Arizona will not be tolerated. My office will continue to pursue justice and ensure that anyone who undermines our electoral system is held accountable,” Mayes said in a prepared release. “Today’s plea agreement and sentencing should serve as a strong reminder that I will not hesitate to use every tool available to uphold the rule of law and protect the integrity of Arizona’s elections.”
Judd, who represents the northern portion of the county including Bowie, San Simon, Willcox and Benson, did not run for re-election this year.
The other person indicted in the case — Cochise County Supervisor Tom Crosby — has pleaded not guilty. His trial in Maricopa County Superior Court is scheduled for Jan. 30, 2025.
A grand Jury indicted Crosby for one count each of conspiracy and interference with an election officer — both Class-5 felonies — for his efforts to delay canvass of Cochise County’s 2022 election results, as well as conduct a hand count of all ballots contrary to state law.
Cosby, who represents the Sierra Vista area of the county, is running for re-election and faces Democrat Theresa Walsh in the November General Election.
