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[[File:SheriffJoeArpaio-252x350.jpg|right|175px]]

[[File:SheriffJoeArpaio-252x350.jpg|right|175px]]

'''Joseph Michael Arpaio''' (born June 14, 1932) served as the [[sheriff]] of Maricopa County, [[Arizona]] from 1993 to 2017. As sheriff, Arpaio headed up the law enforcement agency for the unincorporated area surrounding Phoenix, an area of 9226 square miles.<ref name=about>{{cite web|url=https://www.mcso.org/Home|title=Welcome to the Maricopa County Sheriffs Office

'''Joseph Michael Arpaio''' (born June 14, 1932) served as the [[sheriff]] of Maricopa County, [[Arizona]] from 1993 to 2017. He is famous for being very [[conservative]], as well as tough on crime and on illegal immigration. He has been attacked by the [[ACLU]] and the [[SPLC]] viciously because of his strong anti-illegal immigration stance. Arpaio became Sheriff of Maricopa County in 1992 and was re-elected six times. As sheriff, Arpaio headed up the law enforcement agency for the unincorporated area surrounding Phoenix, an area of 9226 square miles.<ref name=about>{{cite web|url=https://www.mcso.org/Home|title=Welcome to the Maricopa County Sheriffs Office

|accessdate=Aug 26, 2017}}</ref> As sheriff, he was known for being tough on crime and on illegal immigration. The [[ACLU]] and the [[SPLC]], amoung others, attacked his strong anti-illegal immigration stance. Arpaio became Sheriff of Maricopa County in 1992 and was re-elected six times. In August 1993, he started the nation’s largest "tent city" for convicted inmates. Two thousand convicted men and women serve their sentences in a canvas incarceration compound, without air conditioning and inmates are subjected to the elements.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.mcso.org/Home/Jailsa|title=Jails|accessdate=Aug 26, 2017}}</ref>

|accessdate=Aug 26, 2017}}</ref>

 

In August 1993, he started the nation’s largest "tent city" for convicted inmates. Two thousand convicted men and women served their sentences in a canvas incarceration compound.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.mcso.org/Home/Jailsa|title=Jails|accessdate=Aug 26, 2017}}</ref>

 

In 2012, he and a group of volunteer investigators claimed to have evidence suggesting that [[Barack Obama]] deliberately forged his birth records in order to be eligible to run for President.<ref>http://english.pravda.ru/opinion/columnists/07-03-2012/120708-arizona_sheriff_obama-0/</ref>

In 2012, he and a group of volunteer investigators claimed to have evidence suggesting that [[Barack Obama]] deliberately forged his birth records in order to be eligible to run for President.<ref>http://english.pravda.ru/opinion/columnists/07-03-2012/120708-arizona_sheriff_obama-0/</ref>

His office was criticized for its handling of sexual offenses, with at least 400 cases, including several involving child sexual abuse, being 'inadequately investigated' if investigated at all. Some have connected this apparent negligence with the fact that in many cases the victims were illegal immigrants.<ref>http://news.yahoo.com/critics-tough-sheriff-botched-sex-crime-cases-185852410.html</ref>

Arpaio has been politically active both in Arizona and beyond.  For example, in 2010, Arpaio campaigned in Kansas for [[Kris Kobach]] in his bid for Secretary of State.<ref>[http://www.kansas.com/2010/07/14/1403117/arizona-sheriff-arpaio-stumps.html "Arizona sheriff Arpaio stumps for Kobach"], ''Wichita Eagle and Kansas.com'', July 14, 2010.</ref>  

During the years 2004 to 2009, Maricopa County paid $14.5 million in claims regarding the sheriff's office, and another $6.4 million for claims against the jail health service for failure to diagnose, deliberate indifference and suicides.<ref name=claims/>

 

 

Liberals criticized Arpaio for his handling of sexual offenses, with at least 400 cases, including several involving child sexual abuse, being 'inadequately investigated' if investigated at all. Some have connected this apparent negligence with the fact that in many cases the victims were illegal immigrants.<ref>http://news.yahoo.com/critics-tough-sheriff-botched-sex-crime-cases-185852410.html</ref> During the years 2004 to 2009, Maricopa County paid $14.5 million in claims regarding the sheriff's office, and another $6.4 million for claims against the jail health service for failure to diagnose, deliberate indifference and suicides.<ref name=claims/>

In 1999, undercover deputies arrested 18-year old James Saville for plotting to kill Arpaio with a pipe bomb.  On July 9, 2003, a Maricopa County Superior Court jury acquitted Saville, finding that the bomb plot was an elaborate publicity stunt to boost Arpaio's reelection bid.<ref>Bommersbach, Jana. [https://web.archive.org/web/20100823214228/http://www.janabommersbach.com/pm-fea-feb05.php Will Sheriff Joe Stop at Nothing?] ''PHOENIX Magazine'', February 2005.</ref> In 2004, Saville sued both Arpaio and Maricopa County for wrongful arrest and entrapment, seeking $10 million in damages. In 2008, the suit was settled by Maricopa County paying Saville $1.6 million.<ref>{{cite web|last=Dickerson |first=John |url=http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/valleyfever/2008/10/arpaios_phony_murder_plot_cost.php |title=A Phony Murder Plot Against Joe Arpaio Winds Up Costing Taxpayers $1.1 Million |publisher=Phoenix New Times |date=October 28, 2008 |accessdate=Aug 26, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Dougherty, John |url=http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/2004-06-24/news/in-the-crosshairs/ |title=In the Crosshairs |newspaper=Phoenix New Times |date=June 24, 2004 |accessdate=Aug 26, 2017}}</ref><ref name=claims>{{cite web|url=http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2010/05/23/20100523maricopa-county-taxpayers-claims.html |title=Claims vs. county cost taxpayers $71 mil |newspaper=The Arizona Republic |date=May 23, 2010 |accessdate=Aug 26, 2017}}</ref>

In 1999, undercover deputies arrested 18-year old James Saville for plotting to kill Arpaio with a pipe bomb.  On July 9, 2003, a Maricopa County Superior Court jury acquitted Saville, finding that the bomb plot was an elaborate publicity stunt to boost Arpaio's reelection bid.<ref>Bommersbach, Jana. [https://web.archive.org/web/20100823214228/http://www.janabommersbach.com/pm-fea-feb05.php Will Sheriff Joe Stop at Nothing?] ''PHOENIX Magazine'', February 2005.</ref> In 2004, Saville sued both Arpaio and Maricopa County for wrongful arrest and entrapment, seeking $10 million in damages. In 2008, the suit was settled by Maricopa County paying Saville $1.6 million.<ref>{{cite web|last=Dickerson |first=John |url=http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/valleyfever/2008/10/arpaios_phony_murder_plot_cost.php |title=A Phony Murder Plot Against Joe Arpaio Winds Up Costing Taxpayers $1.1 Million |publisher=Phoenix New Times |date=October 28, 2008 |accessdate=Aug 26, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Dougherty, John |url=http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/2004-06-24/news/in-the-crosshairs/ |title=In the Crosshairs |newspaper=Phoenix New Times |date=June 24, 2004 |accessdate=Aug 26, 2017}}</ref><ref name=claims>{{cite web|url=http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2010/05/23/20100523maricopa-county-taxpayers-claims.html |title=Claims vs. county cost taxpayers $71 mil |newspaper=The Arizona Republic |date=May 23, 2010 |accessdate=Aug 26, 2017}}</ref>

Arpaio has been politically active both in Arizona and beyond. For example, in 2010, Arpaio campaigned in Kansas for [[Kris Kobach]] in his bid for Secretary of State.<ref>[http://www.kansas.com/2010/07/14/1403117/arizona-sheriff-arpaio-stumps.html "Arizona sheriff Arpaio stumps for Kobach"], ''Wichita Eagle and Kansas.com'', July 14, 2010.</ref>

Arpaio was convicted in federal court for misdemeanor contempt of court. On August 25, 2017, President Trump pardoned Arpaio, noting his over 50 years of "exemplary" public service and fighting illegal immigration in the White House statement of the pardon.<ref>Multiple references:

 

*Spiering, Charlie (August 25, 2017). [http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/08/25/donald-trump-pardons-sheriff-joe-arpaio/ Donald Trump Pardons Sheriff Joe Arpaio]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 25, 2017.

Arpaio was defeated for re-election for a seventh term in November 2016.<ref>Guarino, Ben (November 9, 2016). [https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/11/09/ariz-sheriff-joe-arpaio-ousted-by-voters-ending-the-24-year-run-of-americas-toughest-sheriff/ Arizona’s Joe Arpaio ousted by voters, ending the 24-year run of ‘America’s toughest sheriff’]. ''The Washington Post''. Retrieved November 16, 2016.</ref> He did not regret his crackdowns on [[illegal immigration]].<ref>[http://fortune.com/2016/11/13/arpaio-immigration-crackdowns/ Defeated Sheriff Arpaio Has No Regrets About Immigration Crackdowns]. ''Fortune''. November 13, 2016. Retrieved November 16, 2016.</ref> The Democrat who succeeded him said he would not continue some of Arpaio's most successful policies.<ref>[http://www.cbsnews.com/news/arizona-sheriff-joe-arpaio-replacement-paul-penzone-tough-odd-choices/ Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio replacement Paul Penzone facing tough and odd choices]. ''CBS News'' (from ''AP''). November 16, 2016. Retrieved November 16, 2016.</ref>

*[http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/08/25/sheriff-joe-arpaio-wins-pardon-from-trump.html Sheriff Joe Arpaio wins pardon from Trump]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved August 25, 2017.

*[https://www.voanews.com/a/trump-pardons-former-sheriff-arpaio/4001646.html Trump Pardons Ex-Arizona Sheriff Arpaio]. ''Voice of America''. August 25, 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2017.

*Trott, Bill (August 25, 2017). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-arpaio-idUSKCN1B600O Trump pardons ex-Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved August 25, 2017.

*Boyer, Dave; Dinan, Stephen (August 25, 2017). [http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/aug/25/joe-arpaio-pardoned-donald-trump/ Trump pardons Arpaio, citing his ‘exemplary service’ to the nation]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved August 25, 2017.</ref>

==Personal life==

==Personal life==

Arpaio and his wife Ava have been married for over 50 years and have two children and four grandchildren residing in the Phoenix area. Arpaio's mother was against [[abortion]]; she died giving birth to Joe.<ref>[http://twitter.com/#!/RealSheriffJoe/status/17333422015913984 Twitter feed on abortion]</ref>

Arpaio and his wife Ava have been married for over 50 years and have two children and four grandchildren residing in the Phoenix area. Arpaio's mother was against [[abortion]]; she died giving birth to Joe.<ref>[http://twitter.com/#!/RealSheriffJoe/status/17333422015913984 Twitter feed on abortion]</ref>