Federal judge accepts Joe Arpaio's presidential pardon

PHOENIX — A federal judge Wednesday accepted the presidential pardon of former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

At the request of both Arpaio defense attorneys and U.S. Department of Justice lawyers, U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton dismissed the guilty verdict against Arpaio with prejudice, meaning the case never can be tried again.

Arpaio, 85, had been found guilty July 31 of criminal contempt for “flagrant disregard” of another federal judge's order in a racial-profiling case. President Trump pardoned him Aug. 25 before Arpaio could be sentenced on the conviction, and Arpaio had faced up to a year's incarceration.

In December 2011, District Judge G. Murray Snow barred Arpaio's deputies from detaining individuals based on their immigration status, effectively putting an end to the long-time sheriff's signature immigration patrols. But the practice continued for 17 months, and during this time, Arpaio's office illegally detained at least 171 individuals. 

Arpaio lawyer Jack Wilenchik asked that all rulings and orders in the case be dismissed as well. Bolton took that request under advisement.

Arpaio, who was voted out of office in November after serving since 1993, did not attend the court hearing. 

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