Arizona Senate Advances Bill Targeting ‘Gilbert Goons’ Style Attacks as Felonies

In a move prompted by the fatal beating of 16-year-old Preston Lord by a group known as the “Gilbert Goons,” Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell is advocating for tougher penalties for group assaults. The horrifying incident occurred on October 28, 2023, during a Halloween party in Queen Creek, resulting in charges against seven individuals, including three minors.

During a hearing held by the Arizona Senate Judiciary and Elections Committee, Melissa Ciconte, Lord’s stepmother, pleaded for legislative change. “This calculated act was done without remorse,” Ciconte testified. “He was beaten, kicked, and stomped on — treated more as entertainment than a heinous crime. One of them even danced atop his lifeless body, showcasing a complete disregard for human decency.”

Ciconte expressed that Lord’s tragic death has galvanized efforts not just for justice but for prevention measures to avert similar occurrences in the future. An investigation indicated a pattern of violence linked to the Gilbert Goons, with Lord’s parents criticizing local police for failing to respond adequately to prior, related incidents.

Gilbert Police Chief Michael Soelberg defended the department, arguing that many previous assaults were unreported and that investigators only identified the connections after Lord’s death. Over the preceding year, groups associated with the Goons reportedly targeted individuals for beatings, often documenting these violent acts on social media.

Richard Kuehner, whose son was attacked by the same group at an In-N-Out restaurant in August 2023, echoed concerns about the current legal framework. His son suffered severe emotional and psychological trauma that has profoundly affected his life, leading him to relocate. Kuehner criticized the leniency of the punishment meted out to the attackers, referring to it as merely a “slap on the wrist.”

Kuehner also noted a lack of adequate action taken by both the school and the police following his reporting of the assault. He subsequently initiated a civil lawsuit against several individuals linked to the Gilbert Goons, as well as the Chandler Unified School District and the police department.

To combat rising gang violence among youth, Mitchell is supporting House Bill 2611, which seeks to elevate group assaults from a misdemeanor to a felony if three or more individuals participate in the assault of a single victim. Sponsored by Republican Matt Gress of Phoenix, the proposal aims to implement serious consequences, potentially identifying adult offenders as felons.

However, some concerns arose during discussions about the bill. Vicki Lopez, a criminal attorney, called for amendments to prevent young offenders engaged in minor schoolyard altercations from facing felony charges due to broadened definitions of assault. Senator John Kavanagh suggested adding stipulations to ensure only serious injuries would elevate charges to a felony level.

Mitchell clarified that while assaults resulting in serious physical injuries are already felonies, many of the encounters involving the Goons before Lord’s death did not meet those criteria, which is why legislative change is being pursued. Under Arizona law, serious physical injury refers to conditions that involve a reasonable risk of death, severe disfigurement, or prolonged impairment.

“The trend we observe is concerning,” Mitchell noted. “Assaults where a group gangs up on a single victim often result in misdemeanor charges, irrespective of the violence involved.”

Following the committee’s debate, the bill passed narrowly by a 4-3 vote along party lines, advancing it to the full Senate for consideration. Democratic Senator Analise Ortiz expressed sympathy for Lord’s family yet opposed the legislation, perceiving it as overly broad and potentially harmful to young individuals who commit less severe offenses.

Meanwhile, the GOP-backed measure passed in the House with bipartisan support, securing a 37-21 vote. While the majority of Republicans supported it, bipartisan opposition emerged with five Republicans voting against it along with the remaining Democrats.