Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio to face criminal contempt charges
Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio to face criminal contempt charges
PHOENIX — Prosecutors said Tuesday they will charge Sheriff Joe Arpaio with criminal contempt-of-court for defying a judge's orders to end his signature immigration patrols in Arizona, exposing the 84-year-old lawman to the possibility of jail time and clouding his political future as he seeks a seventh term.
The announcement in federal court sets in motion criminal proceedings against the sheriff less than a month before Election Day and comes as he has taken on a prominent role on the national political stage in 2016, appearing alongside Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on several occasions.
Arpaio has acknowledged violating the order to stop the immigration patrols but insists his disobedience wasn't intentional.
U.S. District Judge Murray Snow previously recommended criminal contempt charges against Arpaio but left it up to federal prosecutors to actually bring the case.
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Prosecutor John Keller said in court that the government will bring a misdemeanor contempt charge, with the next step being a court filing, possibly in the next day, that's akin to a criminal complaint.
Protesters wearing anti-Joe Arpaio t-shirts gather during a protest outside U.S. District Court in Maricopa County.
(Ross D. Franklin/AP)
Arpaio could face up to six months in jail if convicted of misdemeanor contempt.
Arpaio lawyer Mel McDonald said the sheriff will not be arrested and no mugshot will be taken. He will plead not guilty by court filing and hopes to prevail before a jury. Arpaio did not attend Tuesday's court hearing.
"We believe the sheriff, being an elected official, should be judged by his peers," McDonald said.
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About 75 protesters gathered outside the federal courthouse. They wore shirts reading "Arrest Arpaio" and inflated a huge blow-up caricature of Arpaio dressed in a jail uniform.
Protesters display an effigy of Maricopa Country Sheriff Joe Arpaio wearing prison clothes in front of U.S. District Court on Tuesday.
(Ross D. Franklin/AP)
Arpaio issued a statement saying he was confident he would be exonerated. He accused the Obama administration of trying to influence the sheriff's race
Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio to face criminal contempt charges
PHOENIX — Prosecutors said Tuesday they will charge Sheriff Joe Arpaio with criminal contempt-of-court for defying a judge's orders to end his signature immigration patrols in Arizona, exposing the 84-year-old lawman to the possibility of jail time and clouding his political future as he seeks a seventh term.
The announcement in federal court sets in motion criminal proceedings against the sheriff less than a month before Election Day and comes as he has taken on a prominent role on the national political stage in 2016, appearing alongside Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on several occasions.
Arpaio has acknowledged violating the order to stop the immigration patrols but insists his disobedience wasn't intentional.
U.S. District Judge Murray Snow previously recommended criminal contempt charges against Arpaio but left it up to federal prosecutors to actually bring the case.
Joe Arpaio refuses to give up Obama birther quest
Prosecutor John Keller said in court that the government will bring a misdemeanor contempt charge, with the next step being a court filing, possibly in the next day, that's akin to a criminal complaint.
Protesters wearing anti-Joe Arpaio t-shirts gather during a protest outside U.S. District Court in Maricopa County.
(Ross D. Franklin/AP)
Arpaio could face up to six months in jail if convicted of misdemeanor contempt.
Arpaio lawyer Mel McDonald said the sheriff will not be arrested and no mugshot will be taken. He will plead not guilty by court filing and hopes to prevail before a jury. Arpaio did not attend Tuesday's court hearing.
"We believe the sheriff, being an elected official, should be judged by his peers," McDonald said.
Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s campaign manager angry at judge's decision
About 75 protesters gathered outside the federal courthouse. They wore shirts reading "Arrest Arpaio" and inflated a huge blow-up caricature of Arpaio dressed in a jail uniform.
Protesters display an effigy of Maricopa Country Sheriff Joe Arpaio wearing prison clothes in front of U.S. District Court on Tuesday.
(Ross D. Franklin/AP)
Arpaio issued a statement saying he was confident he would be exonerated. He accused the Obama administration of trying to influence the sheriff's race
If I pull you over because I suspect you of being a criminal based on how you look, that's different than if I pull you over because I suspect you to be an illegal Mexican immigrant. An illegal Mexican immigrant is going to look.....Mexican 
It's f*cked up to say but its the truth. Now if the government/state had granted amnesty to all illegal immigrants and he STILL was pulling them over, I would 100% agree with you. The whole situation is f*cked up because a lot of those Mexicans are good people but a nation has the right to protect its borders, and when it's failing to do its job the people have a right to step in and assume the role. 
