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.
This is an advertisement
10 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!