Former security guard gets probation in gun crime
Kosatschenko, 20, was convicted last month of being a prohibited gun possessor and Pima County Superior Court Judge Christopher Browning placed him on four years probation Wednesday.
Defense Attorney Brad Roach told Browning it didn’t matter how long he placed Kosatschenko on probation, he knows he’ll be successful.
Kosatschenko, too, said he’d be a law-abiding citizen.
Kosatschenko was charged with being a prohibited possessor last June after he shot and paralyzed a possible shoplifter while working as a security guard at a south-side convenience store.
Kosatschenko shot Daniel Tarango to prevent Tarango from running over another guard, who had fallen under Tarango’s car while chasing suspected shoplifters, according to authorities.
The Pima County Attorney’s Office opted not to seek an indictment against Kosatschenko pertaining to the shooting but charged him with possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited possessor.
Kosatschenko lost his right to bear arms at age 13, when he was “adjudicated delinquent”on two counts of aggravated assault, a felony charge, and placed on probation.
During his one-day bench trial, Roach argued his client should be acquitted because the state Department of Public Safety issued Kosatschenko’s weapons permit without having checked Kosatschenko’s juvenile criminal history.
Deputy Pima County Attorney Kellie Johnson told Browning the DPS didn’t have all the relevant information about Kosatschenko because he lied on his Valley Protective Services job applications in 2008 and 2009.
When filling out the applications, Kosatschenko answered “No” when asked if he had ever been convicted of a crime and if he’d ever been placed on probation.
Johnson said although Kosatschenko now claims he didn’t know he was a prohibited possessor, he asked a judge to restore his civil rights, including his right to bear arms, four days after he turned 18, but was denied.
Kosatschenko could have received up to 3.75 years in prison as a result of his conviction.
Tarango is suing Circle K, Valley Protective Services and both security guards for unspecified damages.
He attended Wednesday’s hearing, but he and his attorney declined to comment.
