PHOENIX — Two Maricopa County Sheriff's Office deputies have been reassigned from the juvenile court after they reportedly gave an "unauthorized" escort to the parents of one of Preston Lord's alleged killers.
During a court appearance on March 7, two deputies reportedly escorted the parents of Talan Renner through secure corridors and into a staff parking lot. One deputy was seen driving a white Tesla to a location where the parents were able to get into the car and drive off.
Court officials reportedly didn't know about the escort until after it happened.
"The deputy was not acting at the direction of the Superior Court or the Court Security Office," Judge Joseph C. Welty said in a statement. "The action was inconsistent with court security protocol and gave the appearance of preferential treatment."
MCSO said the deputies involved did not obtain supervisory authorization upon receiving "the escort request from the family’s legal representative" and the law enforcement agency is continuing to examine the incident, MCSO wrote in a statement.
The 12News I-Team reached out to DM Cantor law firm, which is representing Talan Renner in the matter and has not heard back after leaving a message on the phone with a firm employee.
The full statement from Hon. Joseph C. Welty is below:
At the conclusion of a recent hearing in the Juvenile Department of the Superior Court in Maricopa County, a deputy with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office escorted the parents of a detained juvenile through secure corridors and into a staff parking lot. The deputy was not acting at the direction of the Superior Court or the Court Security Office. The Court was only made aware of the action after the fact. The action was inconsistent with court security protocol and gave the appearance of preferential treatment. We have communicated our concerns directly to Sheriff Skinner and trust that the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office will address the issue appropriately and provide an explanation for the deputy’s actions. The Court takes seriously its role in providing equal justice under the law for everyone and has no tolerance for preferential treatment, or the perception of preferential treatment, for anyone.
The full statement from MCSO Sgt. Joaquin Enriquez is below:
After a thorough review, we learned MCSO personnel conducted an unauthorized family escort on March 7, 2024, using a route known from prior high-profile or security-sensitive escorts.
Despite their intention to prevent potential conflict or disruption at the courthouse, the two deputies failed to seek supervisory guidance or coordinate with judicial staff upon receiving the escort request from the family’s legal representative. Both deputies involved have been reassigned from the Juvenile Court Center as we continue examining the incident.
In this highly publicized case, we appreciate your patience as we work to evaluate the deputies' actions and ensure all MCSO personnel adhere to policies and procedures in the future.
The Preston Lord killing in Queen Creek has generated a large amount of media attention since the teenager was beaten during a Halloween party last October.
Seven young suspects have been criminally charged in the case and have begun to make their initial court appearances. Renner, 17, is being charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping alongside the six other suspects.
>> Download the 12News app for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone.
UP TO SPEED
Watch 12News+ for free
You can now watch 12News content anytime, anywhere thanks to the 12News+ app!
The free 12News+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like "Today in AZ" and "12 News" and our daily lifestyle program, "Arizona Midday"—on Roku and Amazon Fire TV.
12News+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona.
Users can also watch on-demand videos of top stories, local politics, I-Team investigations, Arizona-specific features and vintage videos from the 12News archives.
Roku: Add the channel from the Roku store or by searching for "12 News KPNX."
Amazon Fire TV: Search for "12 News KPNX" to find the free 12News+ app to add to your account, or have the 12News+ app delivered directly to your Amazon Fire TV through Amazon.com or the Amazon app.