The criminal in the White House is once again abusing his power by attacking a lawman for doing his job. This is one of the consequences of putting a low-life criminal who cannot be trusted in a position of power. This despicable asshole is charging Joe Arpaio with contempt for patrolling the border.
http://www.azcentral.com/story/news...ice-charge-arpaio-criminal-contempt/91901204/
http://www.azcentral.com/story/news...ice-charge-arpaio-criminal-contempt/91901204/
Federal prosecutors said Tuesday they will pursue a criminal-contempt charge against Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio for defying orders to halt the immigration-enforcement operations that made him a national lightning rod.
If convicted, Arpaio could spend up to six months in jail.
The move has few precedents in U.S. history, as prosecutors endorsed a federal judge's findings that the lawman intentionally violated the judge's orders.
Dozens of protesters who lined the sidewalk outside the federal courthouse Tuesday morning erupted in cheers, hugs and tears when they heard the news.
They moved toward the courthouse doors, circled and shouted: “Si se puede! Si se puede!” ( "Yes, we can!")
Arpaio has not yet officially been charged. U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton asked the federal government to write an order to show cause for her to sign by Wednesday. That will serve as a charging document for the case to go forward against Arpaio.
The sheriff blasted the move as politically motivated, coming on the eve of the start of early voting for the Nov. 8 election, in which he is running for his seventh term. He said he has done nothing wrong.
“My point is this was strictly a political attack on this sheriff in this campaign," Arpaio said in comments to The Arizona Republic.
“I am not going to surrender. I am going to fight this all the way. And I expect to be re-elected.”
Announcement of the charge, which came minutes into the start of the criminal-contempt proceedings, surprised even those closest to the lawsuit.
“Usually a set status conference is a meeting between the court and council to discuss legal issues,” said Mel McDonald, Arpaio’s defense attorney. “We had no clue that they were going to come here today and make the announcements that they made.”
McDonald said Arpaio will plead not guilty.
Legal experts say the judge and attorneys have little historical guidance moving forward with the case.
“As rare as it is to have a federal judge refer the head of a law-enforcement agency for prosecution, it is even rarer that the Department of Justice would pick up that gauntlet and move forward with the charge,” said Paul Charlton, a former U.S. attorney for the District of Arizona. “It’s unheard of.”
U.S. Department of Justice attorney John Keller said the government will continue to investigate additional allegations against Arpaio, two aides and a defense attorney over concealing evidence — and therefore obstruction of justice — but will not proceed with a criminal case at this time.
Although the federal judge presiding over the racial-profiling case referred Arpaio and three others for consideration of criminal contempt, Keller said the statute of limitations may have run out for the allegations against the others.
If convicted, Arpaio could spend up to six months in jail.
The move has few precedents in U.S. history, as prosecutors endorsed a federal judge's findings that the lawman intentionally violated the judge's orders.
Dozens of protesters who lined the sidewalk outside the federal courthouse Tuesday morning erupted in cheers, hugs and tears when they heard the news.
They moved toward the courthouse doors, circled and shouted: “Si se puede! Si se puede!” ( "Yes, we can!")
Arpaio has not yet officially been charged. U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton asked the federal government to write an order to show cause for her to sign by Wednesday. That will serve as a charging document for the case to go forward against Arpaio.
The sheriff blasted the move as politically motivated, coming on the eve of the start of early voting for the Nov. 8 election, in which he is running for his seventh term. He said he has done nothing wrong.
“My point is this was strictly a political attack on this sheriff in this campaign," Arpaio said in comments to The Arizona Republic.
“I am not going to surrender. I am going to fight this all the way. And I expect to be re-elected.”
Announcement of the charge, which came minutes into the start of the criminal-contempt proceedings, surprised even those closest to the lawsuit.
“Usually a set status conference is a meeting between the court and council to discuss legal issues,” said Mel McDonald, Arpaio’s defense attorney. “We had no clue that they were going to come here today and make the announcements that they made.”
McDonald said Arpaio will plead not guilty.
Legal experts say the judge and attorneys have little historical guidance moving forward with the case.
“As rare as it is to have a federal judge refer the head of a law-enforcement agency for prosecution, it is even rarer that the Department of Justice would pick up that gauntlet and move forward with the charge,” said Paul Charlton, a former U.S. attorney for the District of Arizona. “It’s unheard of.”
U.S. Department of Justice attorney John Keller said the government will continue to investigate additional allegations against Arpaio, two aides and a defense attorney over concealing evidence — and therefore obstruction of justice — but will not proceed with a criminal case at this time.
Although the federal judge presiding over the racial-profiling case referred Arpaio and three others for consideration of criminal contempt, Keller said the statute of limitations may have run out for the allegations against the others.
