Ex-Phoenix Firefighter’s Past Haunts Him: Gets Probation After Devastating Two Homes, Leaving Victim Fuming

Gregory Knauss, a former Phoenix firefighter, has pled guilty to a felony that stemmed from his destructive actions targeting two homes. His sentencing results in four years of supervised probation, a decision met with discontent from the victims and legal authorities.

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Sam Myers opted against incarceration, despite a prosecutor’s request for jail time. Knauss will remain free unless he violates probation terms, which prohibit contact with the victims or the use of alcohol.

One victim expressed deep frustration, stating, “I’m at a loss for words,” highlighting the emotional toll the incidents have taken on his family. Both victims, fearing retaliation, requested anonymity while detailing experiences of terror related to Knauss’s conduct.

Knauss was accused of inflicting over $25,000 in damages to a home in Peoria in January 2024, where he allegedly used spray foam to obstruct plumbing systems, rendering the property uninhabitable. He previously faced 10 charges but accepted a plea deal for one charge of criminal damage.

The assaults included flooding a home in Phoenix in September 2020, where he reportedly sprayed foam into a drain pipe, leading to significant water damage. Furthermore, he was implicated in contaminating a neighbor’s lemon tree and lawn with an illegal herbicide, suggesting escalating criminal behavior.

Court records reveal a troubling history of threats Knauss made towards victims, including menacing text messages. The judge’s decision drew criticism, particularly as the court’s pre-sentencing report noted Knauss’s criminal trajectory shows no signs of improvement.

Despite his legal troubles, Knauss retained his firefighter position until April 2024. This allows him the potential of drawing a state pension, as his crimes occurred outside of his official duties, raising ethical concerns about public safety and responsibility.

Knauss acknowledged his wrongdoings during the hearing. He claimed full accountability for his actions, but the repercussions of his past may extend beyond legal issues, as his ability to obtain a pension remains intact pending future employment in firefighting.