Former Phoenix Fire engineer avoids jail in bizarre vandalism case

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A former Phoenix Fire engineer was sentenced to probation after pleading guilty in a bizarre case of vandalism.

Gregory Knauss was sentenced to four years of supervised probation after vandalizing a Valley home in what appeared to be a case of revenge.

“I was in shock,” said one of the victims, Phil, responding to the sentence.

In January 2024, Knauss damaged the roof and HVAC system and clogged the plumbing with spray foam, causing the Peoria townhome that Phil was living in to flood.

“It’s been a total relocation for my entire life. I’ve had to move obviously, because yeah, the place got fixed, but there were still residual effects in that I was always looking over my shoulder. I’ve always been watching my back. I always keep an eye out for him at work, anytime my ring goes off, I check it just to make sure that he’s not on my roof,” said Phil.

This wasn’t the first time Knauss was accused of vandalizing a home. In September 2020, Knauss poisoned his neighbor’s lemon tree and also used spray foam to block the sewer line, over a dispute about a carport, according to the pre-sentence report.

Knauss pleaded guilty to one count of criminal damage, a class four felony, in the case involving Phil’s townhome. The other charges were dismissed as part of the plea deal.

“I want to start by saying that I’m truly sorry for what I’ve done. I take full responsibility for my actions, and I understand the impact that they’ve had,” said Knauss during Tuesday’s sentencing.

Knauss also says he’s in therapy for mental health issues.

The judge in the case sentenced Knauss to four years supervised probation, one more year than recommended by the pre-sentence investigator.

“Some people see prison as the harshest sentence, I view things a little differently. And I think that sometimes prison is the easier sentence because you just go serve your time and come back out the same person without really having to do any work. I see probation as work with prison hanging over if the work isn’t done,” said Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Sam Myers.

But Phil thought Knauss needed prison time and didn’t believe he truly has remorse for what he did.

“Do you feel like you got any closure today? Do you feel like justice was served in any sense?” Arizona’s Family asked Phil.

“Not at all. I think nepotism was alive and well in the proceedings today,” he answered.

As part of the sentence, Knauss was given a six-month deferred jail sentence if probation is violated. While this is Knauss’s first felony, he had previously been convicted of DUI, forgery, and theft. Following his arrest in connection with the case in Peoria in March 2024, Knauss was put on paid administrative leave from the fire department.

Phoenix Fire officials confirm that Knauss resigned from the department in April 2024.

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