The chilling sequence of events began with a father’s growing unease inside a bustling Target store. He noticed a man, later identified as Paul Correa, a high-ranking county attorney, seemingly fixated on his 12-year-old daughter. A disturbing feeling quickly escalated into a horrifying realization.
The father’s suspicions were confirmed when he confronted Correa in the parking lot. He found the attorney with his pants disheveled, allegedly watching a video on his phone that appeared to be of his daughter. The accusation hung heavy in the air, a violation of trust and innocence.
Sierra Vista Police Department officers arrived to a scene thick with tension. Bodycam footage reveals Correa vehemently denying any wrongdoing, claiming he was simply making dinner plans with his son. He insisted the father was “confused” and “angry,” maintaining his innocence with a carefully constructed narrative.
Surveillance video from inside the Target, however, painted a drastically different picture. It showed Correa intentionally walking past and recording two young girls during a 40-minute shopping trip. The footage directly contradicted his claims, revealing a deliberate and disturbing pattern of behavior.
The swiftness of the response from Cochise County Attorney Lori Zucco underscored the gravity of the allegations. Within 24 hours of the incident, Correa was terminated from his position. Zucco stated she had “zero tolerance” for such conduct, emphasizing the profound breach of public trust.
Police seized both Correa’s work and personal phones as evidence, initiating a thorough investigation. The evidence collected led to charges filed by the La Paz County Attorney’s Office, due to a conflict of interest within Cochise County.
Correa now faces charges of harassment by surveillance, public sexual indecency, and tampering with physical evidence. He remains incarcerated in the Graham County jail, held on a $25,000 cash-only bond, awaiting the unfolding of justice.
The case has sent shockwaves through the community, raising serious questions about accountability and the abuse of power. It serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of children and the importance of vigilance.
