Authorities have made public footage that captures the moment police confronted a leading attorney from Arizona’s Cochise County, Paul Correa, accused of videotaping a 12-year-old girl at a Target store and later partaking in a sexual act inside his vehicle.
The incident unfolded when the young girl’s father approached Correa and allegedly caught him with his pants in disarray while watching the inappropriate video, as reported by Fox 10 Phoenix. This prompted a response from the Sierra Vista Police Department, with bodycam footage showing Correa staunchly denying the accusations.
Despite his denials, Correa faced swift repercussions. On December 18, it was publicly announced that he had been terminated from his position as the chief civil deputy county attorney for Cochise County, effective the day following the incident. This decision was reached after discussions between County Attorney Lori Zucco, law enforcement, and the victim’s family.
“The allegations in this case are deeply disturbing, particularly for an officer of the court and public employee entrusted with the public’s confidence,” Zucco stated, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
The case has drawn significant attention due to Correa’s former role as a trusted public servant, further highlighted by the release of the police footage. This unsettling incident underscores the critical importance of integrity among those in positions of public trust.
“The allegations in this case are deeply disturbing, particularly for an officer of the court and public employee entrusted with the public’s confidence,” Zucco said in a statement.
“As a career prosecutor for more than 20 years, I have zero tolerance for alleged conduct that so fundamentally violates the standards of this office. While Mr. Correa is entitled to due process in the criminal justice system, he can no longer serve in any capacity in my office.”
According to the documents, surveillance video inside Target captured Correa intentionally walking past and recording two young girls during his 40-minute trip to Target, local media Herald Review reported.
A 12-year-girl later alerted her mother that she saw a man allegedly using a cellphone to record her in the cosmetics aisle.
Police confront Arizona county attorney Paul Correa at a Target parking lot on Dec. 17, 2025. (Sierra Vista Police Department/Coolfmlive Social Media)
Shortly afterward, the girl’s father confronted Correa in the parking lot, “banging” on his car door, Correa said in the video. The father alleged that he found Correa watching the clip with his pants appearing “disheveled,” Fox 10 reported.
When questioned by police, Correa claimed he was using his phone to call his son about dinner plans and suggested the dad was “confused,” footage shows.
“He thinks he saw something. He’s confused, he’s angry,” Correa said in the video. “He thinks that I was in the store recording his daughter with my phone. That’s not true, that’s absolutely not true. I was here buying gifts for a holiday party.”
Former Arizona county attorney Paul Correa remains in Graham County jail. (Sierra Vista Police Department/Coolfmlive Social Media)
“What would make them think that you were recording?” the officer was heard asking.
“That I had my phone out. Maybe? I don’t know. I don’t know what he thinks he saw,” Correa responded.
Police seized Correa’s work and personal phones before allowing him to leave Target, the Herald Review reported. He was arrested and fired from his job the following day.
Due to a conflict of interest, Correa was charged by the La Paz County Attorney’s Office with harassment by surveillance, public sexual indecency and tampering with physical evidence, Herald Review reported.
Correa remains in the Graham County jail on a $25,000 cash-only bond, the outlet added.
Fox News Digital reached out to Sierra Vista Police Department for more information.
