ARIZONA (CNN) — In his years as the top lawman in Arizona’s largest county, Joe Arpaio touted the tough punishments he handed out.
Now the former Maricopa County sheriff’s fate is in a judge’s hands.
And if US District Judge Susan Bolton finds him guilty of criminal contempt, the man who once called himself “America’s toughest sheriff” could end up behind bars.
Arpaio is accused of violating a court order in a racial profiling case by continuing patrols that targeted immigrants.
The 85-year-old has said the court order wasn’t clear and he didn’t intend to violate it.
But in closing arguments Thursday, prosecutor John Keller alleged that Arpaio’s defiance was deliberate — and something he thought he could get away with.
“The defendant thought this day was never coming,” Keller said. “But nobody gets to defy a federal judge’s order.”
If he’s convicted, Arpaio could face up to six months in jail. The judge is expected to make a decision in several weeks.
Defense attorney Wilenchik claimed Arpaio was unaware his officers were doing anything unlawful. He argued Arpaio didn’t lie to his former attorney, Casey, about stopping the detentions.
Rather, Wilenchik said Casey “dropped the ball” and didn’t clearly explain the order or seek clarification from Snow. “I’m not here to cry or castigate him. But he is at fault,” Wilenchik said of Casey.
He challenged the prosecution’s notion that Arpaio used his defiance of the order to raise money for his own re-election.
In November, Arpaio lost his bid for a seventh term to Paul Penzone, a former Phoenix police officer.
Arpaio’s opinions and actions drew praise and rebuke during his 24-year run as sheriff.
He insisted President Barack Obama was not an American citizen and that his birth certificate was fraudulent — a claim that has been debunked.
In 1993, he established Tent City — the infamous outdoor jail.
Arpaio said the outdoor jail saved taxpayers money despite criticism that the facility was inhumane.
This spring, Penzone announced the closure of Tent City.
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