The Phoenix Fire Department received a report around 1 a.m. of a mailbox fire outside a U.S. Post Office in the area of ​​3900 North 7th Avenue. The fire was extinguished and after the mail was retrieved, it was discovered that some of the mailed ballots in the mailbox were completely damaged.

Suspect Dieter Klofkorn, 35, pleaded guilty to the fire and was located and arrested Thursday by the Phoenix Police Department in cooperation with the Phoenix Fire Department’s Arson Investigation Task Force. However, Klofkorn maintained that the incident was unrelated to the upcoming election.

“Klofkorn was located and arrested on an outstanding and unrelated warrant,” the Phoenix Police Department said in a news release. “While in custody, he was interviewed about his involvement in the arson. Klofkorn admitted to committing the arson. Klofkorn stated that he committed the arson because he wanted to be arrested and that his actions were not politically motivated and had nothing to do with the upcoming election.”

Klofkorn was sentenced to prison for one count of arson.

Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer issued a statement saying his office has contacted most of the voters they believe were affected, but is encouraging voters who used the 7th Avenue and Indian School Road PO box after 5:00 p.m. Wednesday night to check the status of their vote online.

“Successful delivery is usually reflected on the respective site within 72 hours,” the statement said. “We will be contacting a few voters directly who we know have been affected. Voters should know that tomorrow, October 25, is the last day to request a replacement ballot. If a voter believes they have been affected by this incident and have not yet been contacted by our office, they can learn more about how to make that request at

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Secretary of State Adrian Fontes also noted that there were numerous ballots that were successfully retrieved and returned to the US Post Office following the fire. Additionally, he said Arizona counties are working to increase election security by equipping ballot boxes with security controls “to prevent and detect physical attacks.”

“Any attack that strikes at our democratic process has criminal consequences,” Fontes said in a statement. “Ballot tampering is a felony in Arizona, and mailbox vandalism is a federal crime. We are committed to continuing partnerships that protect and preserve every citizen’s right to vote.”