Phoenix man accused of domestic terrorism during 2022 campaign never charged

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Authorities say the man accused of shooting up a Democratic Party office in Tempe and placing razor blades and bags of white powder behind political signs in Ahwatukee is the same man who stole and vandalized signs in 2022.

Phoenix attorney Paul Weich says his campaign signs were stolen and destroyed two years ago.

“Yeah, that’s pretty damn scary in hindsight,” Weich said. “This guy was so dangerous back then and he targeted our family, our neighborhood and our signs.”

According to authorities, 60-year-old Jeffrey Kelly had more than 120 firearms, 250,000 rounds of ammunition and a grenade launcher in his home.

At the time, Weich was running for a seat in the Arizona state legislature. He said his campaign hired a private investigator to find out who was responsible when his signs began disappearing.

Surveillance video from 2022 shows Kelly picking up a political sign and then placing it in the back seat of his Toyota Highlander, the same car that was linked to the DNC office shootings last month.

“We had clear images and clear video of his license plate and were able to confirm his address,” Weich said. “The investigator was able to take photos of him taking signs out of his trunk and placing them in his garage.”

Kelly was also accused of tearing up campaign signs and leaving the debris near Weich's home. Phoenix's attorney claims he provided Phoenix police with all of Kelly's photos and videos, but nothing ever came of it.

“We have turned over all evidence to the Phoenix Police Department and asked them to take action,” Weich said.

According to Weich, the Phoenix City Attorney's Office told him that charges were never filed because Phoenix police never followed up and interviewed Kelly.

“The police department actually had a case in 2022. The department filed charges on one count of theft and one count of tampering with political signs. Both for misdemeanors. “The case was declined for prosecution by the city attorney’s office,” Phoenix police and the city of Phoenix said in a statement to Arizona’s family.

Weich believes the recent incidents may not have happened if Kelly had been held accountable.

“Given what we saw and the way he was encouraged to take action in 2022 and not face consequences, it could have escalated further,” Weich said.

Kelly is currently being held on a $1 million all-cash bond.

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