Tucson Fugitive, Previously Accused of Human Smuggling, Captured at Maricopa Circle K

Maricopa police apprehended 38-year-old Jared Lee Staats on March 26 at a local Circle K after recognizing him due to an existing arrest warrant. The arrest followed a six-week manhunt for Staats, who had previously faced serious charges including human smuggling.

The incident unfolded around 10:30 p.m. when officers observed Staats repairing his girlfriend’s taillight at the gas station located near Alterra. Staats informed the police that he couldn’t locate his own driver’s license and identified himself by name. A subsequent check revealed the active warrant, prompting his arrest.

Staats was transported to Pinal County jail following his arrest. His legal troubles trace back to October, when he was charged in Cochise County on multiple counts, including human smuggling, dangerous drugs, endangerment, and evasion of law enforcement.

In a plea deal reached in December, Staats admitted to fleeing from officers, which resulted in a felony conviction. He received a sentence that included three months of deferred jail time and three years probation, during which he was prohibited from consuming or possessing alcohol, as mandated by Judge Timothy Dickerson.

The warrant for Staats’s arrest was issued on February 11, but the circumstances surrounding his presence in Maricopa at the time remain unclear. His court documents list residences in both Tucson and Phoenix.