Arizona Sheriff, Trump Supporter Joe Arpaio Faces Possible Criminal Charges

Federal Judge Refers ‘America’s Toughest Sheriff’ for Prosecution in Racial Profiling Case

Fresh off his speech at the Republican National Convention, Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County, Arizona is facing possible criminal charges for failing to comply with a federal judge’s orders stemming from a nine-year-old racial profiling lawsuit. 

U.S. District Judge G. Murray Snow on Friday referred Arpaio — a loyal Donald Trump supporter — to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for prosecution, The New York Times reports. If Arpaio is charged and convicted, he could face fines and even jail time, according to CNN.

Snow said in court that Arpaio had “lied to [his] face” during hearings on whether the sheriff should be held in contempt for ignoring orders designed to prevent racial profiling of Latinos. 

“I am through putting up with that kind of stuff, and they’re going to be as responsible for what they do here as any other citizen of Maricopa County,” Smith said. 

Smith’s order stems from a lawsuit filed in 2007 on behalf of Latino drivers who said they were systematically targeted in traffic stops by Arpaio’s deputies, the NYT reports. The Department of Justice later found that Arpaio “oversaw the worst pattern of racial profiling by a law enforcement agency in U.S. history,” and the lawsuit against him has now cost taxpayers more than $50 million to defend. Meanwhile, Arpaio has raised $10 million in donations, mostly form out of state, for his re-election bid in November. 

Known as “America’s Toughest Sheriff,” Arpaio has made headlines over the years for housing inmates in a “Tent City” that he compares to a concentration camp, feeding them only bread and water, and forcing them to wear pink underwear. During the presidential campaign, Arpaio has echoed Trump’s calls for construction of a border wall paid for by Mexico.

“Donald Trump is a leader,” Arpaio said in January. “He produces results and is ready to get tough in order to protect American jobs and families. I have fought on the front lines to prevent illegal immigration. I know Donald Trump will stand with me and countless Americans to secure our border. I am proud to support him as the best candidate for President of the United States of America.”