By Linda Goldenstein
My son, Cheston Trammel, is innocent and was wrongly convicted—and we need your help to share the truth.
Seeking Truth and Justice for Cheston Trammel:
On August 1, 2025, the Yavapai County Attorney’s Office published a post-trial press release about the Arson/Fraud case of my son, Cheston (Chet) Trammel. That release is substantially and materially false, and sadly, numerous media outlets repeated it without investigation. (However, the case promptly disappeared from the court access site.) In the interest of truth, fairness, and justice, I ask for your consideration of the facts:
No Evidence of Arson:
Cheston was accused of setting fire to his Rimrock home in Oct 2022. Yet every expert witness—for both prosecution and defense—testified that NO ignition source or point of origin could be determined. There were No signs of Arson. A rekindled fire three days later destroyed the home completely, and again, experts testified there was no evidence of arson.
Nearly Three Years to Trial:
It took two years and nine months for Cheston to finally have his day in court. That’s nearly three years of stress, uncertainty, and damage to his name—before he was even able to defend himself. There is more to this that will be shared at a later time, due to the pending motion for new trial.
False Financial Narrative:
The County portrayed Cheston as indigent and irresponsible. FACT: Cheston is an accomplished artist, carpenter, and craftsman whose work has been sold locally, nationally, and internationally. Like many artists, he struggled during Covid, but being late on bills is not a crime. Prosecutors even claimed he faced foreclosure, but testimony from his private lender confirmed there was NO BANK LOAN and NO FORECLOSURE.
The Real Losses:
Cheston lost nearly everything in the fire—his home, professional tools, Juniper slabs, equipment, priceless heirlooms, family history, and 2 beloved pets. He also suffered severe lung damage trying to fight the fire inside his home, risking his life to save what he could.
A Family Legacy in Flames:
This wasn’t just any house. It was built by Cheston’s great-grandmother, and five generations of their family have lived there, including his children. When his grandmother was in danger of losing it during bankruptcy, Cheston bought the home so she and his disabled aunt could live out their remaining years there, surrounded by the history and heirlooms of their pioneer family.
That house held generations of Arizona history within its walls—stories, keepsakes, hand-crafted furniture, and heirlooms that told the story of a family deeply rooted in the Verde Valley. Losing it was not just losing property. It was losing the heart of a legacy and is a huge loss to the entire family.
Who Cheston Really Is:
Cheston is a sixth-generation Arizonan, a dedicated father, and an artist whose bells, furniture, and jewelry have been collected worldwide. He is a craftsman, outdoorsman, historian, and community member with deep Verde Valley roots. He has spent his time creating beauty – not destroying what he loves.
We, his family and friends, believe Cheston was wrongly convicted. He has already filed a motion for a new trial. We are standing beside him as he fights for justice and truth through the courts
Please help us spread the truth. SHARE THIS POST. Ask questions. Demand fairness. And remember: behind the headlines is not a criminal, but a man of integrity—an artist, a craftsman, and a father—who deserves justice, not false accusations.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who Stands with Cheston. Your support, prayers, and willingness to share the truth mean more than words can express. Please DM us if you would like to write a letter on Cheston’s behalf or to share your story. Together, we can bring light, fairness, and justice back into this story.
#JusticeForCheston #StandWithChet #TruthMatters #SupportChet
Editor’s Note: Linda Goldenstein is a pillar of the Sedona community known and loved by everyone who has ever had the pleasure of meeting her. Please share this letter-to-the-editor and help in her effort to clear her son’s name.
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27 Comments
Thank you, Sedona.biz, for sharing my mother’s letter and helping bring awareness to what our family is going through. Your willingness to give space for the truth means so much — every voice helps shine a light where it’s needed most. We’re deeply grateful for your support. #justiceforcheston
We want to let everyone know that letters of support are urgently needed.
• You can write letters and email them to justiceforcheston@gmail.com.
• We don’t know how long it will take to get a ruling on the new trial, but time is of the essence.
• Character witness letters are also extremely important and will help show the truth of who Chet is.
Please take a moment to write from the heart—it can make a real difference. Together, we can bring justice and help bring Chet home.
I whole heartedly stand with everything this post says. He is an innocent man and was very wrongfully convicted.
Definitely sounds like a travesty of injustice against Cheston. Unfortunately our legal system is much like our Medical system- slow, unfair and unwilling to correct mistakes. I wish him, his family and friends the best of luck on his appeal.
There should be an investigation launched on YCSO. Everyone needs to start standing up and letting their voices be heard. Are your friends and/or family next to be wrongfully accused by this corrupt system!? #JusticeforCheston
Recently this happened to my uncle chet and it has been more than devastating. He has always been there for everyone when they need him & so we will be there for him when he needs us. We will not stay silent while the system tries to destroy him. We are asking for your support in spreading the word and standing with us to fight for justice. Every share, every comment, and every show of solidarity makes a difference.
#JusticeForCheston
Together, we can shine a light on this injustice and demand accountability.
Love you Uncle ❤️
Linda the facts are there. You are 100% right. There is ZERO evidenceof arson, and no reason to destroy the home that carried generations of your family’s history including the family pets 😭
It’s heartbreaking to see how misinformation and local politics have distorted the truth. This was fueled by local political motives and a false narrative, not facts or justice.
The truth will come out.
Thank you, Linda, for exposing what others hoped would stay hidden.
To the community: do not stay silent; share this, question everything, and demand accountability.
Justice is Needed NOW!. 🙏❤️
#StandWithChet #TruthOverPolitics
Cheston is innocent! Justice will prevail! God is in control! 🙏❤️
#justiceforcheston
I stand with Cheston always and forever, he did NOT do this. #justiceforcheston
I pray justice is done and Cheston gets a retrial.
Thank you for printing this. We love Linda and her family and only have compassion for the nightmare this has been.
I have a hope that our community can bring attention to this injustice. It is absurd that the county prosecutors and detectives can railroad an upstanding citizen with absolutely no evidence. Yavapai county has had trouble with shady dealings for far too long and it is up to the people to tell them we are done being victims of their authoritarian whims. We live in the United States of America and it is every citizen’s right to a fair and unbiased trial. Cheston is a victim and there is no excuse for this appalling behavior. It sounds like the county detective and prosecutor in charge of this malicious prosecution should be thoroughly investigated. I am deeply saddened that i am raising my kids here. To think one day they might be wrongly convicted by this corrupt county. CHANGE is needed Yavapai! Free Cheston Trammel!
We unfortunately live in a world with a lot of injustice for many reasons. So many innocent people have suffered through a traumatic event only to be wrongly convicted in the chaos. They fall through the calcified judicial cracks with only their family to fight for them. It’s important that folks like Cheston have an opportunity for an unbiased, clear-eyed second look at each case. If it doesn’t exist yet, let it begin with Cheston and this family. In the end, we all benefit from a more vigorous and caring system. It’s time.
Sounds like there’s pretty clear examples of reasonable doubt with this case. An appeals court should see that as well. Unfortunately many cases like this happen before reports make their way back to the state bar. My heart goes out to Cheston and his family; no innocent human being deserves to suffer through the judicial system.
I believe what has been stated here to be true especially with Tommy vouching for Cheston. To know beyond a shadow of a doubt I’d have to be privy to all of the evidence they allegedly have against him.
I did jury duty for Yavapai County about a year ago where a young man living in a recovery residence with two others, one of which (an older man) had a previous conviction for murder he served his time for. They ended up in a scuffle and the young man stabbed the older man injuring him. The young guy fled in his vehicle after the stabbing and was arrested and charged for stabbing the other man and fleeing the scene. The prosecution wanted to hammer the young man with numerous felony offenses. However the jury unanimously rejected the prosecution’s case based upon lack of evidence that the young man intended to stab the other man and we decided he acted in self defense. The young man walked out of the a free man after nearly 3 years pre trial confinement.
What I noted as a former officer is that due to minimal manning and hiring that law enforcement officers here are going from one call to another without completing a full report on their cases as they happen. This gives way to reporting based off of long term memory that is often wrong, fuzzy or even confused with other cases. There is also a lack of the use of sworn statements being acquired from Subjects, Victims and Witnesses. Instead they use an officer summer of the case which again is usually hours sometimes days after responding to an incident.
If I were Cheston’s attorney I would scrutinize every aspect of the prosecutions case especially the police report(s) and written statements if any were taken. I would also focus upon the alledged lack of physical evidence as well as the fact that there was no alleged attempt to commit fraud by arson.
If the case gets dismissed or overturned I would sue the hell out of the Police Department, Prosecutor and County.
Good luck
I stand behind Chet 1000th %. He did not do this. I’ve known this family for over 25 yrs and I dont believe for a second that he started this fire. That home has been in the family for generations and there was many treasures that were lost in this fire. There is no way that justice is being served in this case!!!!!! We demand a retrial with proof that Chet was involved. I believe that the truth will come out and he will be set free. My prayers for this injustice be brought to light. His family, friends and all he associated with stand behind him. He is a very caring and loving person and would never stoop this low, to bring this pain to his family. There have been many lies spread about him that is simply not true. JusticeforCheston!!!!!
One thing I’ve learned in the Criminal Justice System as a paralegal for 14 years now, is not to assume innocence or guilt without seeing ALL of the evidence. There’s definitely something wrong with this case if what the mother says pertaining to the evidence is in fact true. I do not know the family and I believe from the outpouring of support that they are good people and this man may or may not be innocent? Again I’d have to see ALL of the evidence before I could make a judgement.
Nobody who is truly innocent should have to endure being wrongly convicted and incarcerated just as nobody who is truly guilty despite claims of innocence should walk free if in fact the evidence shows beyond a reasonable doubt that they are in fact guilty.
May true justice prevail and set this man free if truly innocent.
I’ve known this young man since he was a baby, I believe whole heartedly this man is innocent. The police department has failed to do their jobs by properly investigating the cause of the fire. Hearsay is not grounds for conviction. His never been in trouble, in fact he did his best to save his the home of his grandparent. Shame on the police department and justice system !!!!
I have know cheston for the better majority of my life. He was and always will be my brother inlaw. He is the uncle to my 3 kids and always kind hearted to everyone in his life. We need to stand up to the yavapai county justice system as everyone in this valley knows them to be tyrants and abuse their power. The evidence was not there in this case but they convicted anyway what a shame #justiceforchetston
Thank you sedona.biz for making this story public! Cheston is a wonderful man, father, uncle, son and brother. He does not deserve what happened to him. I believe he will be given a retrial and found innocent, but that wont give him the time that he has lost back. With the obvious corruption of this case, it is absurd that he was found guilty by the jury at all. But I guess when our government entities and prosecutors hide witnesses and falsify or leave documents incomplete, the jury would not have all the information needed to make an informed decision. Praying for a retrial for Cheston with ALL of the information this time and for an investigation into YCSO and their corrupt handling of this case. This isn’t the first time we have heard of this happening in our community, or the first time for the same arson investigator.
I stand with Linda and her son, Cheston. What has been presented publicly does not align with the facts that came out at trial. Multiple experts testified that there was no evidence of arson, no ignition source, and no point of origin identified. Yet, despite this, Cheston has been convicted of destroying the very home he nearly lost his life trying to save.
This home was not just a structure—it was a family legacy, built by his great-grandmother and lived in by five generations. Cheston lost everything in that fire: his tools, his art, his history, his pets, and his health. To portray him as reckless or irresponsible is a false narrative that ignores his reputation as a craftsman, an artist, a father, and a sixth-generation Arizonan who has contributed beauty to our community.
Justice requires truth, and the truth here has been obscured. I urge others to look beyond the headlines, ask questions, and support fairness. Cheston deserves a new trial, and he deserves for the facts—not false assumptions—to be what determines his future.
#JusticeForCheston
I know Cheston to be an amazing artist/craftsman and a man of strong character. I stand with Linda and Cheston and respectfully request a new and fair trial for the truth to be heard!
I have been blessed to be a friends of Cheston’s since 2004. Kindness and integrity are pivotal in a friendship and he has them both in abundance.
Cheston has always honored his family and is a good friend.
He would regale me at length of incredible discoveries he would come across in the wilderness around his home. He has, to me, been somebody very connected to place. To people. His people. His home. His Art.
I do not, for one second, believe that Cheston would deliberately destroy is history, his home, his people, his lore. This is not to mention his Art, reputation, his means of making his living. His FAMILY.
I stand firmly and proudly with Cheston and his family. I always will.
I’m not sure how much that matters in the grand scheme of things, but I put myself on the line because I believe in Cheston’s innocence.
Cheston is a genuine, good, and worthy human being.
My nephew would never do what they claiming. Everyone and anyone that knows Cheston know what a gentle person he is.
I have known Cheston since his birth. I have known his mother for 50+ years. I know this family, they are all honest, hard-working, community involved, stand-up citizens. This is not just in my opinion check the track record. Check the track record on Yavapai County justice system while you’re at it. Look at how many people have been railroaded by this county, lives destroyed!Looking at the facts in this case, the ruling appears to be obviously unjust. People in power need to be held accountable. This innocent man needs to be released from incarceration!
#JusticeForCheston
I’ve known Linda Goldenstein for many years, and I love and respect her deeply—not only as a friend and partner in the arts, but as a steadfast, loving presence in our community. I’ve also known her son, Chet, over these many years as someone with a tender heart—a gentle man deeply connected to his art, his land, and his family’s legacy.
This is an incredibly painful time for this family, and my heart is with them all. I stand with them in their call for truth and fairness. May compassion, clarity, and understanding guide the path forward—for everyone involved.
May we be a community that seeks truth & justice with love.
#JusticeWithCompassion #TruthMatters #HoldingWithLove
Chet is part of my family, and a great injustice has been done to him. Absolutely no proof, wow!
Chet is such a dear soul, very kind and loving! He and family lost so much that was so dear to all, including the family pets.
His beautiful works known globally. Release Chet now, or prove he should be in jail!
#Justiceforcheston
I’m 100% behind Linda & Chet! If there is anything I can do to help get a new trial or whatever, just let me know.
Judy Neiman
I find this story interesting. Everyone screaming innocent. I would guess, I would go to the fire investigation to see what it says. Its the court evidence that is being filed. Its not the courts problem if the fire investigation shows what the cause is, it is the evidence.
I would be getting that information as his attorney already has.
I wish him and his family the best of luck.
Sounds like a nice guy from all the people posting.