Victor Hetherington, former president of the Nogales Police Officers Association (NPOA), has been sentenced to four years of probation and ordered to pay restitution after pleading guilty to computer tampering. The sentencing follows an investigation that found Hetherington had stolen $39,150.04 from the association.
Attorney General Kris Mayes commented on the case, stating, “This individual used his position of power to steal nearly $40,000 in funds meant to support his fellow Nogales law enforcement officers. It’s unacceptable. I’m proud of the work my office did to hold this individual accountable and return these funds to the Nogales Police Officers Association.”
Between 2018 and 2023, Hetherington accessed NPOA’s bank accounts for personal gain. He transferred money into his own accounts, paid off credit cards, spent at restaurants and casinos, and covered a dental appointment. According to authorities, he misled other board members about how he was using the funds. In total, Hetherington completed 689 unauthorized transactions over five years—amounting to more than half of NPOA’s operational budget during that period.
Hetherington pleaded guilty on September 22, 2025. On November 10, 2025, Santa Cruz County Superior Court sentenced him and ordered full restitution.
The case was investigated by Special Agent Annalisa Madsen from the Attorney General’s Office Special Investigation Section and prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Matthew Ashton.
A copy of the indictment is here. A copy of the sentencing document is available here.
