Staff Reports
SAFFORD — Randy Nesseth, 38, remains detained at the Graham County Adult Detention Facility on $50,000 bond after his arrest on March 1 in connection with a reported domestic assault and robbery in a remote desert area near Barney Lane and Solomon Road.
Nesseth was booked into the jail on multiple charges, including aggravated assault (domestic violence), aggravated assault with a deadly weapon (domestic violence), threatening or intimidating (domestic violence), robbery, disorderly conduct with a weapon (domestic violence), and criminal damage, according to Graham County Sheriff’s Office records and recent jail booking reports.
The incident unfolded around 11:39 a.m. on March 1, when deputies responded to reports of a man threatening another individual with a firearm in the area. Witnesses described picking up a woman in distress near a cattle guard, who alleged she had been assaulted by her ex-boyfriend and another man.
According to investigative narratives, the woman reported that Nesseth approached her parked white Ford Ranger, struck her in the face, causing a broken tooth, stole her phone, keys, and backpack, and threatened to kill her and her family members. She claimed he wielded a knife, attempted to stab her, but instead damaged the vehicle’s center console and passenger seat, before he slashed all four tires.
After a passerby assisted the woman in transporting her to safety, she contacted authorities. Deputies located the damaged vehicle with puncture marks on the tires and interior consistent with a knife, along with shoe and tire tracks at the scene.
A collaborative effort between Graham County Sheriff’s deputies and Safford Police officers led to a high-risk stop at a residence on South 27th Drive, resulting in Nesseth’s arrest. Another man present was briefly detained but released after it was determined there was no involvement. A search of the residence, authorized by the homeowner, did not locate the second individual mentioned in the reports.
During questioning, Nesseth provided accounts that investigators deemed inconsistent, including claims of rock collecting in the area with no direct interaction with the victim. A consented vehicle search revealed rocks, a fixed-blade knife, and other items, but no stolen property from the incident.
The vehicle associated with the suspects, a dark gray Hyundai Sonata, was towed and later searched with the owner’s permission, yielding no evidentiary items.
A follow-up on March 2 documented additional victim injuries, including a red mark on her nose and confirmation of the broken tooth falling out. The truck’s owner confirmed the vehicle was on loan and estimated damages at approximately $1,800 for new tires and interior repairs, opting to pursue criminal damage charges.
The second man referenced in the reports, who allegedly possessed a firearm during the encounter, has not been apprehended as of this date.
Nesseth is held pending court proceedings. He recently had his initial appearance and is being held on a $50,000 bond.
