Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Arizona found in contempt of court

PHOENIX (AP) — The six-term sheriff of metro Phoenix has been found in contempt of court for disobeying a federal judge's orders in a racial profiling case, bringing the lawman who calls himself "America's Toughest Sheriff" a step closer to a possible criminal contempt case that could expose him to fines and even jail time.

Friday's ruling marked one of the biggest legal defeats in long career of Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who is known for cracking down on illegal immigration, and was expected to lead to greater court oversight of his office.

Arpaio and three of his top aides "have demonstrated a persistent disregard for the orders of this court, as well as an intention to violate and manipulate the laws and policies regulating their conduct," Snow wrote in his 162-page finding of facts ruling.

"The irony is, while citizens pay the bill for the sheriff's violation of the previous court orders, they are the only ones who can remove Arpaio from office and restore professionalism to our law enforcement agency," said county Supervisor Steve Gallardo, a longtime Arpaio critic who will be voting on the spending.

The contempt case also examined a secret investigation by the sheriff's office that opponents say was intended to discredit Snow.

Snow has said the investigation tried to prove a "bogus conspiracy" between him and the U.S. Justice Department, which was pursuing a separate civil rights lawsuit against Arpaio.