Looks like Joe Arpaio, who calls himself “America’s Toughest Sheriff,” will have to stand down for a little while now.
U.S. District Judge Murray Snow issued a ruling today, upholding claims that the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office targets Hispanic drivers based on their race, a violation of their constitutional rights.
From the Arizona Republic:
Dan Pochoda of the Arizona chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union called the ruling “a real vindication for the community. It was a terrific win — it was a very solid, comprehensive piece of work, and clearly demonstrated the unconstitutionality from top to bottom at MCSO for many years.”
…
The case began when Manuel de Jesus Ortega Melendres, a Mexican tourist who was in the United States legally, was stopped outside a church in Cave Creek where day laborers were known to gather. Melendres, the passenger in a car driven by a White driver, claims that deputies detained him for nine hours and that the detention was unlawful.
Eventually, the case grew to include complaints from two Hispanic siblings from Chicago who felt they were profiled by sheriff’s deputies, and from an assistant to former Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon whose Hispanic husband claims he was detained and cited while nearby White motorists were treated differently.
According to the Republic, the ruling is likely to be appealed, though apparently Arpaio’s lawyer was still looking over the ruling.
This article appears in May 23-29, 2013.
I am SHOCKED!
I would’ve never imagined this even if I had lived for thousands of years. SonoranWinds took the words right out of my mouth.
I cannot comment on the specifics of this case and I am certain that the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Department has made mistakes. What I can say without reservation, is that Sheriff Joe has done a fine job, overall and that he is better than any three like Clarence Dupnik. Further, it is my sincere hope he continues to be allowed to do his job unabated by the PC crowd.
Personally, as a Latino with a Latina wife, I have had a few tense moments with the Border Patrol at their highway check stations and none with the Maricopa County Sheriff‘s Department – ever. Go for it Joe, many of us support your no-nonsense approach to law enforcement.
All right it is about time we started checking out these anglo illegals. Why there are hundreds of Irish in Arizona who have overstayed their visas. It is time for Sheriff Joe to clean these people out. Start raiding Irish Pubs and see them flee.
Arpaio has NOT done a fine job. He has been a poor administrator and a corrupt official. He has misused more than $90 million specifically earmarked for jail operations, diverting it to his dog and pony show immigration sweeps and other publicity generating activities. His department has failed to serve tens of thousands of warrants, leaving criminals free in Mariciopa County. He and his sex crimes detectives bungled a contract with El Mirage by failing to investigate more than 400 sex crimes (many involving children). he did such a poor job as an administrator that he was forced to fire three of his top subordinates (Hendershott, Fox and Black) for their malfeasance (at which point he claimed he had no knowledge of their wrongdoings despite his simultaneous claim of being a tough, hands-on sheriff). He and his jail management policies have cost Maricopa County many millions of dollars in payouts in court cases to plaintiffs. His entire management style is based on superficial, ineffectual actions intended to generate publicity for him and to convince those who are more impressed with style than substance that he is “tough on crime” when he is not. Last but not least, he and disgraced, disbarred former Maricopa County attorney Andrew Thomas attempted to subvert and pervert the entire governmental system in Maricopa County by attempting (unsuccessfully) to coerce and intimidate judges and members of the board of supervisors. When confronted with his actions during disbarment hearings for Thomas and his flunkies, Arpaio claimed ignorance and lack of memory. America’s self-proclaimed toughest sheriff is a megalomaniac, a coward and a bully who cynically panders to the fears and prejudices of those unable or unwilling to look at his real record. Arpaio is not even a pimple on Clarence Dupnik’s ass. And Bisbee Boy, you are probably ignorant of the fact that Sheriff Dupnik, who does not pathetically crave media attention like Arpaio, is a Bisbee native. I’m not surprised that you would not know that, since you prefer superficial publicity stunts to genuine, effective law enforcement.
Finally we can change Joe’s title from “Sheriff” to “Grand Dragon” of the MCSO.
Mike
Thank you for the kind clarification on Joe Arpaio’s qualifications. With a resume like this he would be an ideal candidate for the Obama cabinet, perhaps Attorney General, a position which I hope to see open soon.
In truth, my complements on you writing style. You communicate very well, albeit I disagree with some of your message.
As an aside, I did know Clarence was from Bisbee. He was a few years behind me in school and he lived on Spring Canyon, while I lived on Opera Drive. I also worked in the same mine as his father during the summers, while I was attending Arizona State Collage.
What is it about “illegal” that Arpaio and his supporters don’t understand?
Joe reminds me of George Wallis back in the 50’s. Just a pure racist.
any one surprised the ones who voted for arpaio are not from az they are not from az they are transplants sad but true
Nice job of deflection, Bisbee Boy, but You didn’t challenge a word of what i said about “Nickel bag Joe” (his nickname while with the DEA). Arpaio is incompetent, corrupt and a megalomaniac. He cynically panders to the worst in human nature – ignorance, fear and bigotry. Take a look at America’s self-proclaimed public sheriff’s performance during Andrew Thomas’ disbarment hearings. He couldn’t remember and/or didn’t know about anything going on in his own department. Sad, lame and pitiful. And if the MCSO treats Hispanics well as a policy and doesn’t racially profile, why did Judge Snow rule otherwise after reviewing all the evidence?
Are we are to believe these people who say they are being profiled? Nothing would surprise me that these people would do anything to get rid of Sheriff Joe…nothing short of lies, bombs mailed to the Sheriff, recalls on behalf of those here illegally or those who have a problem with enforcement of our laws. More power to Sheriff Joe, about the only one doing the job he was hired to do.
If people are that adamant about getting rid of him, its obviously for a reason, Kiss…
This state will never be shit as long as we have crooks as the “law enforcement” such as Joe ArPayaso.
Did is a side show, not a sheriff. Not to mention creepy as all hell.