Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to campgrounds in the Fossil Creek area last week regarding a domestic violence assault. While driving to the area, deputies encountered a vehicle containing the victim, her son, and 2 others who were fleeing.
The victim indicated her son’s father, identified as 28-year-old Joshua Stratford from Prescott Valley, had assaulted her in front of their 7 year-old son. During an argument at the campground, Joshua picked up the victim and threw her to the ground where she struck her head on a rock and lost consciousness momentarily. When a male family member tried to intervene, the victim saw Joshua show a handgun and start shooting in their direction. The group was able to get to her vehicle and leave. Deputies were now 5 miles from the incident location.
Deputies, aided by GPS coordinates from the 911 call, were able to locate the campsite near Childs Power Road. Deputies approached the only tent at the site and found the suspect sleeping inside. Joshua was arrested and denied currently possessing a handgun claiming he put the weapon into the victim’s vehicle before she drove away. The victim had previously told deputies she saw Joshua toss the gun into the woods before they left. A search of the campsite and surrounding wilderness for the gun was not successful.
Joshua was booked at the Camp Verde Detention Center on charges including Aggravated Assaulted per Domestic Violence, Endangerment (3 counts), Possession of Firearm by Prohibited Possessor, and Disorderly Conduct. The suspect has since been released by the court on his own recognizance pending further court proceedings.
The following day, an off-duty deputy was camping in the area and with the benefit of daylight, located the handgun used by this suspect. The firearm was recovered and submitted as evidence from the incident.