The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a 20-year-old Gilbert man in connection with the assault of a 16-year-old boy in San Tan Valley.

The incident took place in November. Jacob Pennington was arrested on Wednesday in connection with the aggravated assault, PCSO reported on its Facebook page.

Sheriff’s deputies responded to an “altercation” in the desert area off North Wagon Wheel Road and West Sun Dance Drive in San Tan Valley on Nov. 18.

PCSO stated that the victim sustained minor injuries and declined medical treatment. In addition, the victim was not immediately able to identify his attackers. Video of the assault was later posted on social media.

The video showed the victim surrounded by a group of males. The victim was punched in the face and as he tried to retreat, another man could be seen running after him.

“A lot of you were very concerned about this video and what was going on with this case,” Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb said in a video posted on PCSO’s Facebook page. “This is an ongoing investigation so I can’t give you a lot of answers. There could potentially be a few more arrests stemming from this crime.”

A detective from Pinal County’s criminal investigations bureau was assigned to the case and “worked to interview witnesses and identify all individuals present that evening,” according to a post on PCSO’s Facebook page. “The detective assigned to this case is also assigned to an information-sharing group led by Gilbert PD to ensure cooperative efforts for any overlapping investigations.”

Gilbert and the Gilbert Police Department have been in the spotlight following the death of San Tan Valley resident Preston Lord, 16, who, was assaulted at a house party in Queen Creek on Oct. 28. Lord died of his injuries on Oct. 30.

Since then, social media has been rife with rumors about a group of teens dubbed the “Gilbert Goons” as being responsible for Lord’s death and various other crimes in Gilbert.

At a press conference on Wednesday, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell was asked about the alleged group’s involvement.

“I understand that that’s how people are referring to them,” she said. “What I’m saying is I don’t think it quite captures the seriousness of what we’re dealing with here. You know, it really doesn’t matter to me what they call themselves or what people call them. What matters to me is what they did and what we can prove that they did and that’s what we’re looking at.”

She added that the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office now has two senior prosecutors who handle homicide cases going through a mountain of evidence in the Lord case. In late December, the Queen Creek Police Department forwarded a submittal of charges for seven juveniles and adults to MCAO. Mitchell said QCPD has handed over 2,000 pieces of evidence that include photos and as many as 600 videos.

Mitchell said her office continues to communicate with police in Gilbert and Queen Creek, but she referred reporters to the Gilbert Police Department regarding incidents of youth violence in that city.

We’d like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments, pro or con, on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org. Janet Perez can be reached at jperez@iniusa.org.