Former Maricopa County elections worker indicted, allegedly stole challenge coins and coasters from the Arizona legislature

PHOENIX — A former Maricopa County elections worker who is accused of stealing a security fob from the elections center has been indicted on three felony charges and one misdemeanor, the Maricopa County Attorney's Office said Tuesday. 

Walter Ringfield, 27, is also accused of stealing $9,500 worth of jewelry from mannequins at the Phoenix Art Museum and seven challenge coins and three coasters from the Arizona state legislature. He has been indicted on the following charges:

• One count of computer tampering, a class two felony
• One count of theft, a class three felony
• One count of burglary, a class four felony
• One count of criminal trespassing, a class three misdemeanor.

RELATED: Suspect in Maricopa County election center theft is same person seen on video allegedly stealing from Arizona State Capitol, officials confirm

On May 20, Ringfield was captured on surveillance video removing around $9,500 worth of vintage jewelry at the Phoenix Art Museum, officials said. 

A few weeks later, on June 15, Ringfield was reportedly seen on surveillance video walking through a secured area at the Arizona state legislature and taking seven challenge coins and three coasters.

Then on June 20, while employed with the Maricopa County Elections Department, Ringfield was accused of stealing a security fob from the Maricopa County Tabulation and Elections Center building, officials said in the indictment. 

RELATED: 'Why did he do that?': Arizona Republican lawmakers want more information on theft of election key fob

Shortly after Ringfield's arrest in June, Maricopa County Supervisor Bill Gates said Ringfield Jr. did pass a background check, despite having a prior theft conviction in Arizona. It's a case where he was sentenced to a felony diversion program.

“We do a criminal background check and when we did that criminal background check, we did not find this. He was on diversion and that is something again, it’s a case-by-case basis," Gates said.

According to court records, Ringfield Jr. told the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office he took the key fob because he wanted to "clean up," the building in hopes of gaining permanent employment as an elections worker. However, Kolodin isn't buying that.

Ringfiled is currently being held in custody without bond. 

Editor's note: The video above is from a previous broadcast. 

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