Cochise County sheriff warns of QR‑code traffic-ticket scam, discusses Wilcox shooting and fire risks
May 01, 2026 | Cochise County, Arizona
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Sheriff Mark Danlos used a county radio appearance to warn Cochise County residents about a circulating scam that impersonates court traffic notices and asks people to scan QR codes to pay bogus fines.
"The courts are not gonna send you a text," the sheriff said, urging residents not to scan links or call numbers included in suspicious messages and to verify notices directly with county or Maricopa County officials. He told listeners that scammers rely on urgency language such as "final notice" or "warrant for your arrest" to force quick, risky responses.
The sheriff also updated listeners on a recent shooting in Wilcox that was initially reported as a drive‑by. He said investigators later characterized it more as a reckless discharge and that two houses were struck; he mentioned "13 victims, I think it was," but said he had not been fully briefed and emphasized the need for a careful, evidence‑based response. Host Carol Kappas added that a report is being completed and will be submitted to the county attorney for charging review.
Danlos praised the county's search‑and‑rescue volunteers and said recent rains were "medicine" for wildfire risk after a very dry spell, while urging caution with open flames at campsites. He noted the county's improved interoperability and incident response since the 2011 Monument Fire.
The sheriff asked community members to report suspected scams to the sheriff's office and to hang up immediately if a caller pressures them; he said prevention is preferable to investigating financial losses later.
What's next: The sheriff said the Wilcox investigation will continue and the county attorney will review possible charges; the sheriff's office encouraged anyone who received the scam message to contact authorities for verification.
"The courts are not gonna send you a text," the sheriff said, urging residents not to scan links or call numbers included in suspicious messages and to verify notices directly with county or Maricopa County officials. He told listeners that scammers rely on urgency language such as "final notice" or "warrant for your arrest" to force quick, risky responses.
The sheriff also updated listeners on a recent shooting in Wilcox that was initially reported as a drive‑by. He said investigators later characterized it more as a reckless discharge and that two houses were struck; he mentioned "13 victims, I think it was," but said he had not been fully briefed and emphasized the need for a careful, evidence‑based response. Host Carol Kappas added that a report is being completed and will be submitted to the county attorney for charging review.
Danlos praised the county's search‑and‑rescue volunteers and said recent rains were "medicine" for wildfire risk after a very dry spell, while urging caution with open flames at campsites. He noted the county's improved interoperability and incident response since the 2011 Monument Fire.
The sheriff asked community members to report suspected scams to the sheriff's office and to hang up immediately if a caller pressures them; he said prevention is preferable to investigating financial losses later.
What's next: The sheriff said the Wilcox investigation will continue and the county attorney will review possible charges; the sheriff's office encouraged anyone who received the scam message to contact authorities for verification.
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