Arizona sheriff's son keeps county drone job while facing criminal charges

Bo Hounshell remains employed by Apache County as a drone pilot while facing two separate sets of criminal charges. The son of the county's former sheriff is currently held in Navajo County Jail on a $100,000 cash-only bond. Questions have emerged regarding whether his employment status reflects standard county practice or preferential treatment due to his family's political and judicial influence in the region.

Online records indicate Hounshell's annual salary for 2024 exceeded $92,000. This figure is more than double the average annual pay for Apache County employees that year, which stood at less than $40,000. His former father, now the head of emergency management, earned approximately $8,000 more than Hounshell in the same period.

Hounshell's legal troubles began when troopers pulled over the county vehicle he was driving after returning from a fair. An 8-year-old child was in the back seat during the stop. He was charged with DUI and child abuse. Late last month, authorities arrested him again. The new charges involve impersonating a deputy and misconduct involving weapons.

Joel Friedman, a law professor at Arizona State University, pointed to the lack of administrative oversight in such cases. He noted that government officials have a duty to monitor these situations. Friedman argued that claiming ignorance is an inadequate response. He stated that if officials knew about the situation and allowed it to continue, that raises further concerns about transparency.

The family connections add complexity to the narrative. Hounshell's mother serves as the clerk for Apache County Superior Court. Her office handles the administrative processing of his court documents. Friedman said these ties heighten the need for public clarity, even if they are not the sole cause of the controversy. He emphasized that officials bear an obligation to be transparent in such matters.

County officials have not yet addressed the employment issue publicly. A media outlet spent a full day contacting the county manager and all three members of the Board of Supervisors via phone, text, and email. None of the officials responded to those inquiries.

The Board of Supervisors met earlier this week. Several residents expected the board to place Hounshell on administrative leave while his cases proceed. The board did not take that action during the meeting.