It’s official.
President Obama’s Department of Justice federal prosecutors have now formally charged Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio (R) with criminal contempt of court.
It what can only be called the most egregious and politically motivated witch hunt against any Republican or Democrat in recent history, federal prosecutors decided to indict Arpaio during the last month of what could be one of the closest general elections in modern American history.
Does Texas have a constitutional right to defy Supreme Court on protecting its border?
The contempt charges stem back to 2015, when Arpaio owned up to the fact that he purposely violated a federal judges order to halt the enforcement of civil immigration laws.
The order to charge Arpaio could have been signed months ago, but federal prosecutors, for whatever reason, decided that charging him two weeks before his closely contested Sheriff re-election race was the best course of action for them to take.
They could have charged him after the election, regardless of whether he wins re-election or not, right?
It’s still unclear if Arpaio will be charged with a felony or misdemeanor, but regardless, his trial commences Dec.6.
It remains unclear whether the charge against Arpaio is a misdemeanor or felony. If convicted of a felony, under state law, the sheriff would have to resign his office, which could cost the sheriff his job even if he is re-elected.-AZ Central
Defense attorney Mel McDonald said Bolton’s order was disappointing, but expected.
Arpaio’s crime was to continue arresting and handing over “illegal” immigrants over to ICE and Border Patrol agents.
Regardless of him ignoring the court order to stop arresting illegal immigrants, Arpaio was doing the job of the federal government, who are tasked with detaining and deporting illegal immigrants.
He was just making federal agent lives a little easier by doing the leg work.
