Federal judge refers Ariz. sheriff for criminal contempt
USA TODAY NETWORK Megan Cassidy, The Arizona Republic 12:20 a.m. EDT August 20, 2016
PHOENIX — A federal judge said Friday that he will refer Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio to the U.S. Attorney’s Office to be charged with criminal contempt of court.
The decision comes after U.S. District Judge G. Murray Snow found that Arpaio intentionally violated various orders rooted in an 8-year-old racial-profiling case.
The ruling additionally refers Chief Deputy Jerry Sheridan, Arpaio's former defense attorney Michele Iafrate, and Capt. Steve Bailey for criminal contempt prosecution as well.
"Criminal contempt serves to vindicate the Court's authority by punishing the intentional disregard for that authority," Snow wrote in his Friday order.
more:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2016/08/19/federal-judge-refers-ariz-sheriff-criminal-contempt/89022858/