Authorities in Arizona have released footage showing the confrontation with the state’s highest-ranking prosecutor, who is facing serious allegations. Paul Correa, the Chief Deputy Civil Attorney for Cochise County, is accused of filming a 12-year-old girl at a Target store last month and subsequently engaging in inappropriate behavior in his vehicle.
An incident report indicates that the girl’s father confronted Correa and found him watching the video with his clothing in disarray. This alarming situation led to police being called to the scene, where body camera footage captured Correa consistently denying any wrongdoing.
Following the incident, Correa was terminated from his position the next day, as stated by Cochise County Attorney Lori Zucco, who emphasized that this decision came after consultations with law enforcement and the victim’s family.
Zucco expressed her deep concern over the allegations, noting that they are particularly unsettling for those in positions of trust within the judicial system. She reiterated her commitment to upholding professional standards, stating that Correa is entitled to a fair process but can no longer serve in his role.
Reports indicate that surveillance cameras at the Target observed Correa intentionally walking past and recording two girls during his extended stay in the store. Shortly afterward, the young girl alerted her mother about a man allegedly using a phone to record her in the cosmetics section.
In the parking lot, the girl’s father confronted Correa, banging on his car door, and claimed he found Correa engaged in suspicious behavior. During the police questioning, Correa maintained that he was merely on the phone, speaking about dinner plans with his son, and dismissed the father’s concerns as confusion.
While being questioned by the police, Correa acknowledged he had his phone out but appeared uncertain about the implications, saying, “I mean, I had my phone out. Maybe? I don’t know what he thought he saw.”
Authorities confiscated both his work and personal phones, and shortly thereafter, he was arrested and let go from his position. Due to a conflict of interest, charges were filed against him by the La Paz County Attorney’s Office, including harassment by surveillance, indecent exposure, and tampering with physical evidence.
Currently, Correa is being held in the Graham County Jail with a cash-only bail set at $25,000.
