Arizona attorney fired for filming girl in Target

Deputy County Attorney Fired After Allegations in Arizona

COCHISE COUNTY, Ariz. – A deputy county attorney has been fired in southern Arizona after allegations he filmed a juvenile girl inside a store.

Details of the Incident

Paul Correa served as Chief Civil Deputy County Attorney for the Cochise County Attorney’s Office. Body camera footage from the Sierra Vista Police Department on Dec. 17 shows an officer confronting Correa after a father reported that Correa filmed his 12-year-old daughter inside a Target store.

Police Report Findings

Correa was seen in his car watching the video with his pants “disheveled,” according to the police report. Correa denied the father’s claims to police.

Correa’s Statement

“He thinks that I was in the store recording his daughter with my phone,” Correa said. “That’s not true, that’s absolutely not true. I was here buying gifts for a holiday party. What would make them think that you are recording things? That I had my phone out. Maybe? I don’t know. I don’t know what he thinks.”

Consequences and Charges

Last month, Cochise County Attorney Lori Zucco fired Correa after meeting with investigators. “The allegations in this case are deeply disturbing, particularly for an officer of the court and public employee entrusted with the public’s confidence,” Zucco said. “As a career prosecutor for more than 20 years, I have zero tolerance for alleged conduct that so fundamentally violates the standards of this office. While Mr. Correa is entitled to due process in the criminal justice system, he can no longer serve in any capacity in my office.”

Current Legal Status

Correa has been charged by the La Paz County Attorney’s Office with harassment, public sexual indecency, and tampering with physical evidence. He is due back in court next month. This remains an ongoing criminal investigation.