UPDATE: Man who shot Pinal County deputy has extensive criminal history, is member of Arian Brotherhood

TUCSON, Ariz. (KOLD News 13) - The man accused of shooting a Pinal County deputy on Wednesday, March 30, has an extensive criminal history and is a member of the Arian Brotherhood.

The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office said Jason M. Forrester, 39, shot a deputy in Dudleyville. The deputy has been called to the scene around 7 p.m. about a trespassing incident.

The PCSO said Forrester, who had a warrant for drug possession, shot the deputy before the deputy returned fire.

On Monday, April 4, Pinal Sheriff Mark Lamb said the deputy was released from the hospital over the week and is recovering at home. The deputy will be out of work for a while, according to Lamb.

Forrester was in stable condition at a local hospital as of late Thursday. According to the Arizona Department of Corrections, Forrester has a lengthy criminal history in Pima County.

In 2001, he was convicted of second-degree burglary and second-degree escape. He was sentenced to four years in prison.

In 2006, he was convicted of weapons misconduct and aggravated assault. He was sentenced to 7 1/2 years.

In both 2014 and 2016, he was convicted of drug possession.

While in prison, Forrester was found guilty of several infractions including theft, conspiracy, disobeying orders, giving/receiving tattoos, contraband and fighting.

The Arian Brotherhood is one of the United States’ oldest major white supremacist prison gangs and a national crime syndicate.

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