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Wrangling Begins In Contempt Trial Of Former Sheriff Joe Arpaio |
Former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio has been found guilty of criminal contempt by Judge Susan Bolton. Arpaio’s sentencing is scheduled for October 5.
Arpaio was found guilty of flouting a 2011 order from Judge Murray Snow to end his program of stopping drivers based on the suspicion they were undocumented immigrants. Arpaio, Maricopa’s sheriff for 24 years, was referred for criminal charges two weeks before the 2016 General Election. He was defeated handily by Paul Penzone.
After the verdict, Penzone couldn’t resist kicking the elderly Arpaio while he was down. The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office issued a statement calling the judge’s verdict “a conclusion to the disservice and distractions caused by former Sheriff Joe Arpaio.”
The 85-year-old sheriff could face up to six months of jail time.