The 4th Avenue Coalition Space has severed ties with a local market organizer after learning that a convicted sex offender was allowed to work at a recent family-friendly event without vendors or the public being notified.

The situation has sparked outrage among participants and renewed calls for accountability in Tucson’s artist and vendor community.

An Unuzual Market founder and organizer Zully Alexandra is facing scrutiny from vendors and community members for allowing Israel David Hoyer to work as a ticket taker at her most recent market in May. Hoyer was convicted on federal charges for possessing or accessing child pornography and served time in prison in connection with the offense.

Hoyer is classified as a Level 3 sex offender, the highest risk level, indicating a high likelihood of reoffending and a potential threat to public safety.

In Arizona, Level 3 sex offenders must comply with rules enforced by the Arizona Department of Public Safety, including registration and annual re-registration with the state, as well as mandatory notifications of employment and address changes.

Arizona law also requires community notification for all Level 3 sex offenders and housing restrictions that prohibit the offender’s home from being within 1,000 feet of facilities frequented by children, such as daycare centers, schools and parks.

Although there are statutes protecting employers from liability when hiring someone with a criminal record, these protections do not apply to individuals convicted of sexual offenses.

The market, open to the public through a $1 admission fee, has been marketed as a family-friendly event and included youth volunteers as young as 12 years old working the event.

Hoyer’s affiliation with the market was made public through a series of Instagram stories last week, sparking concern from vendors and patrons.

Alexandra did not respond to Tucson Spotlight’s request for comment, but her most recent Instagram posts addressed the controversy, which she referred to as a rumor, but did not otherwise dispute..

“He is my friend. I’ve come to believe he’s innocent,” she said in both a post and video addressing the situation.

 More than 100 people have commented on Alexandra’s posts, many expressing disappointment and anger that she hadn’t alerted vendors and attendees that a sex offender would be working at the events.

“While it is completely your perogative to be friends with who you like…you had a professional duty to disclose the fact that you had a sex offender working with you for these markets,” woodandwanderlust.pyro wrote on Instagram. “Between your teenage volunteers and the many many children who attend, your actions of defending this man are inexcusable.“

The market has been held at the 4th Avenue Coalition Space, which is rented and overseen by the 4th Avenue Coalition. After learning about the situation, the coalition’s board voted to no longer rent the space to Alexandra and notified her of their decision via email.

“We are extremely troubled by this situation and we take it very seriously. We only rent the space to Zully. We have no hand in organizing the market. Vetting their staff is their responsibility,” the coalition said in a statement provided to Tucson Spotlight. “The Coalition Space is meant to be a safe and welcoming place for our community, and we are deeply saddened by Zully's decision to include this person on her team. We created The Space to be a harbor for vulnerable and underrepresented members of our community, and her decision goes against everything that we stand for.”

Tucson Spotlight sent a survey to previous Unuzual Market vendors, asking them to share their perspectives and concerns about the situation.

The survey received more than 30 responses, with 90% saying they were not informed about Hoyer’s sex offender status.

One vendor who has participated in the market twice said they feel disheartened by Alexandra’s response, and had believed that the market was a safe and inclusive space for the queer community and marginalized artists.

“Regardless of where anyone stands on the nuance of his claims or personal story, the fact remains that vendors and attendees were not informed or given a choice about participating in a space that involved this kind of risk,” the vendor wrote. “That’s a serious lapse in transparency and accountability, especially in a community that centers safety and consent.”

Vendors who are parents had additional concerns about Hoyer’s participation and Alexandra’s lack of transparency. Several people expressed similar concerns in the comments on Alexandra’s Instagram posts.

“As a vendor that has my child frequently with them, the fact you didn’t inform vendors he was coming makes me glad I haven’t done any markets there,” a Tucson maker named Dakota wrote on Instagram. “It’s your duty to inform the public, I’m glad you feel comfortable but not everyone wants to have a conversation with someone (convicted of) such a crime.”

Another vendor, who had her child at a recent market and observed several teenage volunteers, said in their survey response that Hoyer should not have been included in the events.

Others expressed frustration over the apparent lack of communication after the controversy became public.

“I messaged you days ago to have an open discussion about this like you said you were willing to do; yet you’ve gone completely radio silent,” Magick Garden Shoppe wrote on Instagram. ”I hope you realize how bad this looks on your business. Please get back to everyone.”

The impact of the situation extends beyond just this single market, with several vendors saying they will exercise additional caution in the future.

“Oh no way I would ever support this,” a vendor named glamourwitchboutique wrote on Instagram. “I work markets with my baby, and you didn’t disclose this to vendors? Not okay.”

Despite the controversy surrounding the market, small businesses continue to maintain a strong sense of solidarity and commitment to keep their livelihoods — and one another — safe.

“This situation does not change my commitment to other markets or spaces. I still believe in the good of people. I believe most organizers truly care about their communities, and I remain hopeful that when we know better, we do better,” wrote one vendor. “But we must hold space for accountability alongside empathy, and that requires transparency, especially when we are trusted with creating safe environments.”

Topacio “Topaz” Servellon is a freelance journalist based in Tucson. Contact them at topacioserve@gmail.com.

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