After consulting with writer Casey Dewey and former Tucson Weekly editor Dan Gibson, I removed a 2013 interview with tattoo artist Isaiah Toothtaker from our website.

Here is Dewey’s comment on the article:

Eight years ago I wrote a cover story about Isaiah Toothtaker for the Tucson Weekly. The original idea was to write a shorter piece on his musical output, but it turned into something bigger. It became a sit-down “one-on-one” interview, something akin to a “sit-down with one Tucson’s most notorious residents.”



Looking back on it, it was pure exploitation and it stank of tabloid journalism. I haven’t thought about that article in some time, but numerous, horrific allegations about Toothtaker’s behavior have surfaced throughout this past week and that article has been gnawing away at me. If I had scratched under the surface I would’ve walked away from it, or turned it over to someone who was more capable of an investigative piece. I sincerely apologize to anybody who’s been hurt, abused or otherwise victimized by him. If you felt in any way I was legitimizing his behavior, I am truly sorry. I’m not speaking on behalf of the Tucson Weekly, but I will take full responsibility for this ill-conceived article.

This article appears in Jul 2-8, 2020.

Getting hassled by The Man Mild-mannered reporter

13 replies on “Tucson Weekly Removes Isaiah Toothtaker Profile from Website”

  1. The author of the article was contacted after the original issue was printed in 2013 and made aware of many of the allegations against Isaiah, including his (believable) threats of rape and violence against women. It’s great that you are taking responsibility now, but everyone should know that you did not when this was originally brought to your attention. Why is it that this apology did not come when it mattered 7 years ago, and instead comes now only when it is expedient for you to do so? I eagerly await your apology for such blatant performative allyship.

  2. I guess another dumb *** just got woke. Give us a break, this is too weak and way too late.

  5. The author of the article offers a full throated apology and takes responsibility. He does not defend himself or the article.
    If anyone is curious about the lag time for TW to respond, it is not related to lateness or virtue signaling. It relates to the amount of time it can take a victim to find the courage to speak their truth. In the past few weeks the victims courage has reached critical mass.

    All of this makes me curious if Isiah has victims in other states. If so this would become crime of Federal concern.

  6. And just what does taking full responsibility mean? Is he willing to be sued like Mayor Romero for her slander and defamation of a Tucsonan? She can be forced from office, but what about an author that promoted criminal actions?

    Rapewolf. Was the name a dead giveaway?

  7. I remember seeing that issue and thinking, “hmmm, I guess you have to be a total POS to get on the cover of the Tucson Weekly”. Maybe if I had tried to murder people or throw women out of moving cars, I’d be on the cover too.

  8. I guess quarantine fatigue has set in for all of you people who have nothing better to do than start up gossip and lies. Fiction Story telling is just that… story telling. Get a life people. Crawl back under your rocks. And if you really care, why are you anonymous when you talk shit?

  10. You can tell who are the POS here. Protecting an abuser and rapist, I pray y’all never go through something like that.

  11. Public shaming and hanging doesn’t make any of the allegations true. You’re all full of …yourselves! Social media allows you losers a little attention. Who made you final jury and judge? 🧐

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