July 21 -- Cottonwood AZ -- The Verde Valley SWAT team and Cottonwood Police surrounded Wild West Express on Main Street Monday morning, east of Verde Lea Market.

Commander Gary Eisenga of Cottonwood Police say a search warrant was served on the business based on information received and the department is still investigating details of the search. He says it is an on-going case and that no one has been arrested.

David Carl, who operates the business, spoke openly about the investigation and search. According to Carl, the complaint was filed by a woman alleging that he was abusing his twin 13-year-old daughters. Carl said a Child Protective Services case worker told him the case is unfounded and will be dismissed in about two weeks time.

Carl said that team members entered the business and residence above and used a "flash-bang." More at Verde News

Investigation still under way; no charges filed against Carl

July 28 -- COTTONWOOD -- Police Chief Jody Fanning was out of town at the time of the Verde Valley SWAT team action July 20 in serving a search warrant at Wild West Express for businessman David Carl.

The action was in response to a complaint to Child Protective Services that alleged that Carl was abusing minors.

Fanning says Cottonwood Police Commander Tim Pierce was acting as chief in his absence and was in charge of executing the warrant. "I had confidence that Commander Pierce made the right decision," Fanning said.

"We would have rather used a SWAT team and give a wrong perception rather than ignore the potential threats," and have real problems, explained Chief Fanning.

He says, "the investigation is still ongoing" into abuse charges. At this point, there are "no charges" against Carl, "though there are potential charges."

He admits that even though the action is part of a joint investigation with the state agency, Cottonwood Police does not have all the information CPS may have. More at Verde News

From Disloyal Opposition: (a Northern AZ blog) Thursday, July 30, 2009
Behind the spin on Cottonwood's SWAT raid

...the Cottonwood raid illustrates just how rote the use of paramilitary tactics has become. Not to minimize the seriousness [of] child abuse, but there's no particular reason why an investigation into allegations of such a crime should involve violent and risky tactics that, all too often result in injury and death for innocent people. If you're worried about mistreated children, wouldn't you try to minimize further trauma to the kids by keeping official intervention as peaceful as possible?