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A federal judge ruled Friday that the office of America's self-proclaimed toughest sheriff systematically singled out Latinos in its trademark immigration patrols.
A federal judge ruled Friday that the office of America's self-proclaimed toughest sheriff systematically singled out Latinos in its trademark immigration patrols, marking the first finding by a court that the agency racially profiles people.
The confrontation underscores the feisty ground campaign being mounted on both sides - but also the increasing difficulty that Arpaio critics face in getting enough signatures to put a recall before voters.
Volunteers set up a table outside a music festival one day last month to gather signatures for a drive to oust the notoriously polarizing sheriff of metropolitan Phoenix. The venue, with its largely liberal crowd, seemed the perfect place to drum up support.
By JACQUES BILLEAUD
Associated Press
PHOENIX (AP) - A group supporting metropolitan Phoenix's sheriff has demanded that organizers of an effort to recall the lawman immediately end their bid to oust him and vowed to go to court to stop it.
Citizens to Protect Fair Election Results called a news conference Wednesday to say the recall effort against Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio is unconstitutional and intended to harass him.
Recall organizers say Arpaio should be ousted because, in part, his office failed to adequately investigate more than 400 sex-crimes cases in the county and put immigration enforcement above other law enforcement priorities.
Arpaio supporters say the sheriff won a sixth term in November fair and square.
Recall organizers face a May 30 deadline for handing in valid petition signatures from more than 335,000 county voters.
Related story: Group trying to recall Maricopa County sheriff
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