Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County, Arizona, and three members of his staff have been found in contempt of a federal court order to stop racially profiling Latinos during traffic stops, according to a new report.
U.S. District Judge Murray Snow ruled the four were in civil contempt after ignoring the judge’s orders issued last May.
“In short, the Court finds that the Defendants have engaged in multiple acts of misconduct, dishonesty, and bad faith with respect to the Plaintiff class and the protection of its rights,” Snow wrote in a 162-page finding of fact in the case.
Chief Deputy Jerry Sheridan was found in contempt of two counts. Retired Chief Brian Sands and Lt. Joe Sousa were deemed in contempt on one count each.
The judge said his rulings were based on the office’s violating three instructions: not turning over video evidence that had been required before the trial, continuing to enforce an unrelated immigration law the judge had banned, and a failure on Sheridan’s part to collect evidence after the trial.
Snow is expected to deliver the defendants’ penalties in a May 31 hearing.
“Sheriff Joe” Arpaio has won the support of many Republicans who want tougher enforcement of immigration laws, and he endorsed Donald Trump for president.
