11/7/22

Yavapai County Attorney Sheila Polk, whose long career includes a high-profile trial in a deadly sweat lodge ceremony and an aggressive campaign against synthetic drugs, is retiring. After 22 years as the county’s top prosecutor, Polk’s office in Prescott announced Friday she will step down at the end of the year. She was elected as county attorney in 2000. She was the face of the prosecution of James Ray, the self-help author whose makeshift sweat lodge led to three deaths in 2009. She also is known for achieving a permanent countywide ban on the sale of “bath salts” or spice by calling them “a public nuisance." Polk said, “Over my 22 years as County Attorney, I have been privileged to work with outstanding public servants who strive to do what is best for the people we serve. I have led an office that excels in quality, seeks justice for all, and models the core values of ethics, excellence, respect, opportunities for growth, and work-life balance. I am proud of our work and the important role we perform in maintaining a low crime rate and a high quality of life in Yavapai County.”