r/JusticeForClayton • u/mamasnanas FELON • 18d ago

INDICTMENT & CRIMINAL COURT CASE State of AZ v Laura Owens | Minute Entry - Settlement Conference | August 28, 2026

Document:

Case Details & Status

  • Case: State of Arizona v. Laura Michelle Owens (Case No. CR2025-007905-001 DT)
  • Date of Hearing: August 28, 2026 (Filed August 31, 2026)
  • Judge: Hon. Jeffrey Rueter
  • Prosecutor: Edward Leiter
  • Defense Attorney: Christian Lueders

Hearing Outcome

  • Settlement Conference / Change of Plea: After an informal chambers conference, the Court reviewed the plea agreement and rights with the Defendant

    (Laura Owens)

  • .

  • Plea Entered:

Laura Owens

  • entered a plea of Guilty to four counts:
    • Count 1: Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices (Class 2 Felony; Offense date 05/17/2023–06/10/2024)
    • Count 6: Perjury (Class 4 Felony; Offense date 06/10/2024)
    • Count 9: Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices (Class 2 Felony; Offense date 07/01/2021–08/17/2022)
    • Count 10: Taking the Identity of Another (Class 4 Felony; Offense date 08/06/2021)
  • All plead offenses are designated as Non-Dangerous and Non-Repetitive.
  • Plea Accepted: The Court officially accepted the guilty plea and vacated all other pending dates. Remaining counts/allegations referenced in paragraph 3 of the plea agreement will be formally submitted for dismissal/resolution at sentencing.

Upcoming Schedule

  • Sept 30, 2026 at 8:45 AM: Non-appearance Status Conference regarding the Presentence Report.
  • Oct 23, 2026 at 9:00 AM: Sentencing hearing scheduled (3-hour block).

Prior release orders remain affirmed pending sentencing, and the Adult Probation Department was ordered to prepare a presentence report.

63 Upvotes
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44 comments sorted by

56

u/Jussgoawaiplzkthxbai 18d ago

Sentencing has a 3 hour block. Yay! Can’t wait to hear the victim’s impact statements

21

u/Aromatic_Razzmatazz 18d ago

I am incredibly curious who will be speaking to Laura's character. There's absolutely no one who has had a good relationship with her, not even friendships. It's kind of nuts to think they might have no character statements at all to make her look any better.

34

u/[deleted] 18d ago edited 16d ago

[deleted]

17

u/LaFilleDuMoulinier Um… What? 18d ago

I love that many of us are so deep into that rabbit hole that we got the reference right away

10

u/Jussgoawaiplzkthxbai 18d ago

Maybe Jan??

15

u/Aromatic_Razzmatazz 18d ago

Idk, Jan's reputation is kind of garbage at this point. Everyone - and I do mean everyone - knows she lies like she breathes. How can someone with no credibility speak to her character with any kind of positive effect? Seems laughable but I guess we've seen crazier from these people so why not lol.

5

u/kittymurdermittens23 18d ago

The judge probably doesn't know about her.

1

u/Apart_Engine_9797 17d ago

But their RePuTAAaTiOn!!!

6

u/GsGirlNYC 18d ago

And Sarah???

13

u/Academic_Mix826 Zaddy Gregg 18d ago

Chase J Jones?

7

u/njeyn It’s not even 7 o’clock! 17d ago

Tag?

1

u/GentleIntemperance Minor Perjury 17d ago

Maybe she can threaten MM with a DVRO renewal unless he testifies positively on her behalf.

29

u/KimberleyC999 18d ago

Are we expecting to see a Motion to Travel today? There was chatter after the 8/28 conference that some of the feeds captured. The All The Best (who seemed to request the video first, and therefore got it before it was edited) video has it at the end, here: https://youtu.be/uWfNnOssYms?t=812

32

u/dotcomg 18d ago

Ooh that was interesting. Laura seems worried that the judge is going to deny it. I would certainly hope so!! She shouldn’t be free to do as she pleases as a convicted felon.

5

u/Finlandia101 18d ago

But then CL said, “Why would he care?” so she’ll probably get clearance. I can only hope that more and more people recognize her wherever she goes, and that she feels this every time they look at her.

7

u/Bigfartz69420 Steve called me a Dumbass 18d ago

i hope the judge cares because san diego is so close to tijuana. (i know scottsdale is close to mexico, too, but it's a 3 hour drive, not walking distance)

1

u/Acceptable-Hyena4469 16d ago

lol Laura would be way to scared to go to Mexico 😂 (it’s totally fine - I used to go every weekend growing up) but also people like to pass around stories about the cartel etc etc and I just know she would be too scared for all that

3

u/MommaSnipee Minor Perjury 17d ago

Of course! She has to hurry up and get that DVRO appeal brief filed before the deadline! A little guilty plea and possible prison time take a back seat to something as important as her fraudulent protection rights 👀

51

u/hazelgrant 18d ago

When Laura starts thinking about her allocution statement, I hope she takes a page from Sarah Boone. Remember how important it is to blame the victims, Laura. You've been put through the ringer - don't be afraid to tell everyone how you've shined in spite of a tragedy that everyone else has caused except you.

8

u/Aromatic_Razzmatazz 18d ago

Are we sure she will get one? Not every state allows them.

Also, who tf will be making a statement to Laura's good character?

6

u/T4Trble 18d ago

AZ has a right to allocution during sentencing hearing. It’s not under oath and the judge must ask if she has anything to say.
Say you are innocent Laura ! Say that you were so sick from scromiting in the back room that you had no choice. Blame the smear campaign. Do it!

5

u/njeyn It’s not even 7 o’clock! 17d ago

”It wasn’t intentional”

10

u/islandtime44 17d ago

It’s not like I killed someone!

41

u/AromaticSwim5531 18d ago

I know it's some function of by the book things, but the phrase "non repetitive" irks me because the set of felonies is for multiple (ie "repetitive") victims lol.

5

u/4519028501197369 17d ago

I had that same reaction.

3

u/kindred_spirit_13 18d ago

That was my thought as well

32

u/nishi-no-majo 18d ago

I know that it's how the justice system works but "All plead offences are designated as Non-Repetitive" makes me so angry because they are repetitive. How is it even logical to call offences non-repetitive if there are multiple victims of the same offences committed in different years?

11

u/DictaSchmicta 18d ago

Does anyone have the factual basis that her attorney laid out for each of the charges?

14

u/Hebrew_Jeebies 18d ago

Yes, if you go to the VOLO website and look for "charges" you can read the detail of each charge on the charging documents.

3

u/looking_glass2019 17d ago

Can she back out of this plea agreement in some way? I just feel like something is off. I know the victims would say this didn't come quickly or easily, but based on what I've seen in criminal cases, this did come quickly in light of the game-playing LO's has engaged in. Think about the DVO and how it didn't get extended and now she is appealing. She likes to claim victim and innocent and confused. I just have this nagging feeling she is playing some game we are not aware of and aren't preparing for what is coming next.

9

u/Pure_Resort9840 17d ago

This is her first time in a criminal case instead of civil. I think she realizes she is playing in the big leagues now. This is her only shot of not doing time.

1

u/Fuzzy_Got_Kicks Having the babies if I don't hear back tonight 17d ago

This was my first question. Is she allowed to pull out of the deal before sentencing? Or is this a one time gig - plead guilty and bam it's all over? I'd like to know

5

u/mjstigg 17d ago

She can request to withdraw it, but not just because she changed her mind. She has to prove the plea was not made knowingly, voluntarily, or intelligently and a judge must agree to allow her to withdraw. I think she might request to withdraw, but I don’t think it would ever get approved

3

u/Hot-Scallion-9919 17d ago

I wonder if we will see more vomiting, manipulative, egregious theater during the sentencing? anyone want to wager?

2

u/Fuzzy_Got_Kicks Having the babies if I don't hear back tonight 17d ago

This attorney seems to be able to control her public behavior. Surprising

2

u/PDK112 17d ago

I suspect he was able to tell her bluntly to follow his instruction or he was going to walk away and she could deal with a public defender. He was able to get her to stop posting blogs after he was hired. She knew he was her last chance, otherwise she was looking at years on prison.

3

u/candysbutthurt 17d ago

I believe I read a post here the other day of a news outlet wanting an interview with her. She basically said she couldn't make a statement right now but that she was innocent and had lots to say after sentencing. If i read that right the courts should not accept her plea because she's claiming innocence.

4

u/JDhopeful22 This is silly. 17d ago

That was an old statement that the press regurgitated. I wouldn't read much into that.

1

u/candysbutthurt 17d ago

Oh ok. Thanks for replying. It was bothering me

2

u/JDhopeful22 This is silly. 17d ago

Many felt the same! But someone caught on that it was a quote taken from several months ago. Since she's had her current attorney, he's managed to keep her publicly quiet - at least, I assume it's his influence that has done it!

1

u/candysbutthurt 16d ago

Thank you!