By Jon Johnson
SAFFORD – A “person of interest” in the June 2024 shooting death of Adam Christopher Avalos, 31, at the Copper Springs RV Park has been sent to prison for more than three years for violating his probation.
On the night of June 23, 2024, officers were dispatched at about 9:37 p.m. to 326 S. 8th Ave. in the Copper Springs RV Park regarding a shooting. Upon arrival, officers were advised that a victim had been shot and located Avalos deceased in the parking area of the residence.
Chezerae Arrellin Jr., 20, of Safford, was sought by police the night of Avalos’ murder but wasn’t found until he was located in Yuma four days later. He was booked into the Yuma County Jail on Graham County Superior Court warrants to revoke his probation regarding two other cases. One case was initiated in 2022 regarding the theft and fraudulent use of a credit card, and the second case involved possession of a weapon by a prohibited person, which was initiated in 2023.
According to the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry, Arrellin was admitted to the Red Rock Eloy Complex in Eloy on Tuesday. His projected eligible release date on this incarceration is Aug. 10, 2028.
Arrellin has also been given multiple drug charges in two separate cases involving the sale of fentanyl – an opiate more potent than heroin.
According to courtroom testimony, the drug cases stem from an Arizona Department of Public Safety investigation into Arrellin, which included undercover drug purchases, surveillance, and the arrest of associates.
During a preliminary hearing in July 2024, Arizona Department of Public Safety Detective Brayden McBride testified about viewing what he believed to be two drug transactions involving Arrellin on June 14, 2024. In the second transaction, a group of three individuals whom Arrellin and an associate allegedly provided with Oxycodone pills were found in possession of those pills in a subsequent traffic stop.
Arrellin recently had a settlement conference on April 2, but it was unsuccessful, and his drug cases now appear to be headed for trial. Arrellin is charged with possession of a narcotic drug, possession of a narcotic drug for sale, transportation of a narcotic drug for sale, and possession of drug paraphernalia in both cases, and managing a criminal syndicate in one.
