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Federal judge urges prosecutors to put Arizona's 'Sheriff Joe' behind bars

The controversial 84-year-old Phoenix-area lawman could face criminal contempt charges for violating a court order linked to racial profiling of Latinos.
Photo by Laura Segall/Reuters

Sheriff Joe Arpaio might be headed to jail and slapped with fines for violating a court order linked to racial profiling practices in Arizona. A federal judge urged prosecutors on Friday to seek criminal contempt charges against the tough-talking Phoenix-area lawman.

US District Court Judge Murray Snow's recommendation, which he handed down in a 32-page written order, isn't binding. But if prosecutors decline to file criminal contempt charges against the 84-year-old sheriff, another judge could appoint a special prosecutor to take the case.

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Arpaio's criminal defense lawyer is confident that the sheriff will be let off. "Judge Snow voiced his opinion, and we disagree with his conclusion," Mel McDonald told Reuters. "There was no criminal intent by the sheriff."

This is just the latest development in an eight-year legal saga that began in 2007 when the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit on behalf of a group of Latino plaintiffs who contended that Arpaio's deputies were unlawfully detaining people suspected of being undocumented immigrants.

Related: How 'America's Toughest Sheriff' treats mentally ill prisoners

Arpaio, who touts himself as "America's Toughest Sheriff," would regularly order "sweeps" in predominantly Latino neighborhoods and instruct officers to pull over motorists even for the most minor traffic violations.

In May 2012, the US Department of Justice sued Arpaio's Maricopa County Sheriff's Office for its allegedly discriminatory practices. The following October, Judge Snow ordered an overhaul of the agency to prevent further misconduct and safeguard the Latino community against future racial profiling.

Arpaio didn't seem to pay much attention to Snow's order. Earlier this year, the judge found the sheriff and his three top cohorts in contempt for repeatedly flouting the court's orders.

Follow Tess Owen on Twitter: @misstessowen